New EPIRB?

[JDCAVE]

I have the ACR Globalfix, product no. 2744. The battery is due for replacement. When we purchased our vessel we registered the unit in Canada and had our particulars programmed. The outfit that reprogrammed the unit indicated that we should eventually consider replacing it with an updated unit. Thoughts?


Jim
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[Rogerh]

Interested to see if there is a consensus. With all the new Delorme and other products I wonder if they make the EPIRB not as required. I am in the same boat of getting a EPIRB but I wonder if the SPOT or Delorme In Reach is a good alternative?????

 

[Larry M]

I'd replace it. You can get a new ACR 2831 for less than $375 (US) that has a 10 year battery and is user replaceable.

 

[psneeld]

with advances in GPS over the last 5 years or so, the lock to location is probably so much better...worth it right there in my book.

 

[Russell Clifton]

You might consider on of the smaller units made by ACR. It's small enough to go into your pocket or keep in a "ditch bag". Now if your boat goes down and you abandon ship, you have the EPRIB with you, and search and rescue can pinpoint where you are and not your sunk boat. I keep mine strapped to my life jacket. Also, you can take it with you on hikes. Only draw back might be that you need to manually activate it. I think you'll find a new battery for that old unit is nearly as much as a new unit.

 

[psneeld]

For near shore work, PLBS are fine..big water and an EPIRB is a wise move for their slightly better performance numbers.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

When we purchased "Gumby"(cold weather immersion suits) we decided to go with 2 ACR ResQLink+. The choice of a single epirb for the boat or two PLB for the same price was the way we went.


The PLBs are attached to our suits, that way if for some reason we become separated, they can find the Admiral and my body on the rocks!!

 

[JDCAVE]

I'd replace it. You can get a new ACR 2831 for less than $375 (US) that has a 10 year battery and is user replaceable.

Thanks for this Larry. I priced this unit locally and was quoted something north of $850 Cdn! I will phone Artex tomorrow to get to the bottom of it but they are much more expensive up here. I may be able to have it sent to a mailbox in Point Roberts and get it programmed up here but I need to see if that is feasible from the standpoint of government regulations or other issues.

Jim

 

[Insequent]

Price check!
Even in Australia where we are often slugged high prices, most of the EPIRB's are under $300 now and include GPS. They are mandatory safety equipment here once you get into open waters. Even for tenders that might at times be more than 3nm from the mothership. So I have 3. One for the OA, one for the RIB and a personal one that is with my lifejacket. The personal ones are not sufficient, in a regulation sense, for meeting the mandatory requirement for boats.

I have one ACR unit that will need a battery all too soon and likely I will simply replace the whole unit as the battery replacement is expensive. The other one is GME with 10 year battery. Likely I will not be buying any more ACR units.

 

[JDCAVE]

I phoned Artex this morning and the Rep told me that there should be no restrictions bringing them across the border and having it reprogramed in Canada with the appropriate country codes and MMSI. The unit is made in Florida, so there is no duty, only taxes due. That brings the price down to a more manageable $600 Cdn, including taxes.


Jim

 

[BruceK]

Price check!
Even in Australia where we are often slugged high prices, most of the EPIRB's are under $300 now and include GPS...

Amazing a product is cheaper in OZ than USA or Canada. Something to do with GME being a competitive local mfr?