View Full Version : Looking for lightweight personal locator beacon.
Big Dawg
01-25-2007, 20:49
A friend of mine is looking for a lightweight personal locator beacon. I'm googleing, but not finding what I'm looking for. Anybody have experience w/ these, and have suggestions? Thanks!
Check marine supply stores. I have this thing I used to take on my sailboat... it's about the size of a (small) flashlight, takes one or two AA cells.. but instead of a flashlight, it's got a xenon flash bulb that goes off every few seconds or so. I've never taken it hiking, though. Something like this (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/240461/10001/51/50/8) or this (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&classNum=51&subdeptNum=50&storeNum=8&productId=35349).
Big Dawg
01-25-2007, 22:01
My friend is looking for the type locator beacon that links up w/ a satellite to forward a distress signal. Like this.... http://www.equipped.com/plb_legal.htm ,,, only lighter.
hammock engineer
01-25-2007, 22:28
REI has a couple at are 11 or 12 oz. For what you get, it might be hard to beat that.
My friend is looking for the type locator beacon that links up w/ a satellite to forward a distress signal. Like this.... http://www.equipped.com/plb_legal.htm ,,, only lighter.
Don't a lot of cell phones have GPS built in? I'm not sure exactly how it works myself... you can't use them as a GPS, but somehow the "authorities" can get your coordinates off the phone???
AquaFix 406/GPS Personal epirb. Try this.
Skidsteer
01-25-2007, 23:58
Don't a lot of cell phones have GPS built in? I'm not sure exactly how it works myself... you can't use them as a GPS, but somehow the "authorities" can get your coordinates off the phone???
Yes, but I think they get the GPS fix by triangulating from existing towers with known coordinates.. No bueno if you're out of range.
Big Dawg
01-26-2007, 10:25
AquaFix 406/GPS Personal epirb. Try this.
This one works on radio frequency rather than satellite, right? How's the reception when in the middle of nowhere?:-?
BlackCloud
03-22-2007, 10:06
PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) are hand held EPIRBs. Authorized for civilian land usage on July 1, 2003, they send a distress signal to satellites which therein notify the Air Force. The signal contains your PLB # (registered w/ NOAA) and your coordinates to w/in 100 meters.
When you register the PLB, you give your personal information, contact #s, medical conditions, etc. The Air Force is therefore able to quickly verify your whereabouts by talking with your chosen point of contact.
sliderule
03-22-2007, 10:54
This one works on radio frequency rather than satellite, right? How's the reception when in the middle of nowhere?:-?
Epirbs don't receive, they transmit. Even in the middle of nowhere.
Kerosene
03-22-2007, 11:18
Here is an 8-ounce (250g) PLB: http://www.micro-mono.com/
When I recently inquired about the micro-mono it listed at $1750. Here's basically the same size/weight/features for $649.
http://www.aeromedix.com/?_siteid=aeromedix&_sessid=0fd6fe0928a31484a89d9e72c869f40d&action=sku&sku=acrmicroFIX
BlackCloud
03-22-2007, 16:58
Here is an 8-ounce (250g) PLB: http://www.micro-mono.com/
My understanding is that these are not yet available for civilian purchase....