What EPIRB did you buy - which, why, how much and where?

[Monarchy]

Need to buy an EPIRB for my 100mile+ boat.
What unit did you get?
Why?
How much did you pay?
Where did you get it?

Thanks for helping me not re-invent the wheel.
Monarchy

[DoubleAction]

ACR 406 Globalfix Cat II
Paid $989 from Landfall Navigation. Came with free ditchbag.

This one has the built in GPS for pinpointing your location. Why ACR? The Hull Truth told me so.

[This message was edited by DoubleAction on 03-21-03 at 02:00 PM.]

[JayB]

When I was at the boat show I talked with both companies and it seems that the Pains Wessex GPS EPIRB works on the new 406.028MHz freq just released by the USCG. This frequency supposedly has better range. Also the transmittion power of the Pains Wessex appears to be about twice that of the ACR. I have no actual experience, I was just checking on them because I will likely buy one this year.

Good Luck

2002 Bluewater 2550 w/ T200 HPDI's

[OutOfTheLoop]

I also bought an ARC Global-FIX. I got a really good price from the Jax Boat show. Saved about $300 from catalog price, a ditch bag was also included.

Regards, Mike

[davidd]

Shop Around
I bought a ACR 406...If your thinking about purchasing anything else, now would be a good time. Alot of dealers will give a decent discount if you purchase a certain dollar amount. I paid around $650 for my 406 a part of a outfitting package. Doesn't hurt to ask.
Dave

ALBEMARLE 28

[PeteH]

ACR rapidfix for $450 from a guy on a fishing site on the internet (imagine that). Brand new and now registered to me and tied into my gps. So very comforting when I'm out 85 miles in the Gulf...

[Reelescape1]

ACR GlbalFix 406, manual....Boaters World on sale w/coupon, less than 1K

[marlinmike]

Ebay, new

ACR, although cost of replacement battery is $300.

Pains is an English company good luck finding a web site.... Service??

[Monarchy]

RapidFix 406, GlobalFix 406, Satellite 406, Satellite2 406.....what is the difference?

[Scott D]

Paines Wessex Pecision 406 GPS EPIRB $869.00 Consumers Marine Electronics boat show price.

Marlinmike - the main reason I bought the Paines over the ACR was the Paines Wessex office is 5 minutes from where I work in Caldwell, NJ. They replace the battery there. Very convenient for me to not have to ship it anywhere or return it for service.

Sea Ya,
Scott

[gerg]

paines wessex rescue 406 - cat II (manual deploy), no gps, <$500 from consumers marine, boat show price.

I didn't think I needed the gps model or the auto deploy, but thats just me. I have 2 gps's on board, a third in my ditch bag, a portable vhf in the ditch bag, and now a life raft. Of course, if the ditch bag doesn't make it I'm screwed, but seeing as thats where the epirb will be, I'd be screwed anyway. I'm going to have to sink this boat some day just to be able to say "I told you so" to friends/family......

** sigh **

[Stretch]

Here ya go:

http://www.pwss.com/

[JOE L]

Paines wessex 406 cat II with gps-858 plus $35 dollars back if you are boat u.s. member, they have great show prices

[Ken354]

Pains Wessex 406 built in gps, cat II
Consumer Marine Electronics, New York Boat Show Price under $900 and it came with a free ditch bag
....Buy the BEST, YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

[JB2C]

paines wessex rescue 406 - cat II (manual deploy), no gps, <$500 from consumers marine

Gergo, can you still get this deal from Consumer Marine?? If yes, I'm buying.

JB

26' Edgewater

[Scott D]

JB,
The Consumers Marine boat show price on the Paines Wessex Cat II Manual release was 558.00.
Model # 82-014 - Cat 2.
I bought one, then I returned it and upgraded to the built in GPS model for 869.00 - Model # 82-514A Cat 2. I'm looking at the receipt. They did give away a free small ditch bag with the EPRIB.

Sea Ya,
Scott