Just ordered a McMurdo Fastfind 220 Personal Locator Beacon. After a lot of consideration I decided I didn’t really want a Spot or Delorme. Got it for £169 https://marinestore.co.uk/McMurdo_Fastfind_220_PLB___Personal_Locator_Beacon.html
PLBs
- Thread starter Robin
- Start date
edh
Thru Hiker
You should have got a light one 
https://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/11/ocean_signal_rescueme_best_plb_yet.html
https://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/11/ocean_signal_rescueme_best_plb_yet.html
You should have got a light one
https://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/11/ocean_signal_rescueme_best_plb_yet.html
What’s 100g between friends?
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You should have got a light one
https://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/11/ocean_signal_rescueme_best_plb_yet.html
Just changed my order
JimH
Section Hiker
That's interesting, care to answer a few queries?
How is it different to a Spot or Delorme, is there still a subscription?
It looks like a marine device, would the emergency services still get called when it's triggered on land?
Is it UK only? The website suggests it might not work abroad (without reprogramming).
It’s a simple beacon so it just sends a distress signal for around 24hrs to S&R. S&R can identify it so they can locate you from the beacon signal. Unlike SPOT or Delorme there’s no tracking or messaging, it’s simply a distress beacon. It can be used on land or sea. Obviously the biggest market is for water based activities such as sailing or kayaking hence they are mainly sold through yacht chandlers. You should register the device with the UK Beacon Authority. As I understand it, the beacon will work abroad, but the registration is held by the UK. TBH, if I was going abroad I think I’d have a Delorme In Reach as I could communicate with home. The advantage of a PLB is there’s no subscription. For me, SPOT or Delorme are too sophisticated for my requirements in the UK and need a subscription, hence a PLB. That’s my understanding, but I’m happy to be corrected. I’ve read that MRTs are increasingly recommending them as they make rescues easier to locate and quicker to achieve.
Whiteburn
Thru Hiker
After much prevarication (age & preference for solo backpacking off trail) I finally decided to get a PLB, ended up going for theJust changed my order
Ocean Signal - PL1 for Xmas, 113g, 7yr battery life. £179.45 from Marine Store
This is just an emergency transmitter NOT a communication device; no subscription.
On activation the GPS location is communicated to rescue services, in this case with it being registered in the UK that will be in the UK. If the device is transmitting a GPS location outwith the UK they'll then have to alert the relevant agencies be it inland or water.
That’s what I’ve ordered.
@JimH here’s a useful summary of PLBs for hill walkers http://www.mountainsafety.co.uk/EP-PLB.aspx
JimH
Section Hiker
Thanks @Robin and @Whiteburn that's really handy.
Teepee
Thru Hiker
Given the huge rise in subscription on my Spot last time round, I'm looking to try an alternative.
Very timely thread and info. Thanks
Get a crazy Zebralight Cathy. The ISS comes round every 45 mins and they will see your SOS flash from space.
I'm groaning at the subs this year, price has nearly doubled for my plan.
SafetyThird
Section Hiker
I've just been going through this decision making process myself and gone for this one, mainly because it's completely waterproof. 177g apparently, will weight it when i'm given it for my birthday soon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACR-ResQli...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3N38WEZ1HPA1J3SDW2RQ
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACR-ResQli...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3N38WEZ1HPA1J3SDW2RQ
I've just been going through this decision making process myself and gone for this one, mainly because it's completely waterproof. 177g apparently, will weight it when i'm given it for my birthday soon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACR-ResQli...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3N38WEZ1HPA1J3SDW2RQ
The PLB1 is waterproof to 15m but doesn’t float.
SafetyThird
Section Hiker
having it float was what I wanted. I can just see it falling off a bag or if I'm in a kayak etc. Floatation is worth a few extra grams to me
I wonder how deep the casing can go without imploding? Be a useful addition to the scuba kit if it can make it to 40m comfortably
I wonder how deep the casing can go without imploding? Be a useful addition to the scuba kit if it can make it to 40m comfortably
having it float was what I wanted. I can just see it falling off a bag or if I'm in a kayak etc. Floatation is worth a few extra grams to me
I wonder how deep the casing can go without imploding? Be a useful addition to the scuba kit if it can make it to 40m comfortably
Sensible for Kayaking. I’ve seen some comments that the PLB1 is a bit small for some water based activities and people prefer a bigger unit. Doesn’t apply to me though.
