What's the difference in these EPIRBs? - The Hull Truth

Miss Trial · 08-31-2009, 04:25 PM

I have a 31 contender and will go offshore no more than 120 miles.

ACR 406 MHz EPIRB Category II
ACR 406 MHz EPIRB Category I
ACR GlobalFix 406 Category I with Bracket
ACR GlobalFix 406 Category II
ACR Globalfix iPRO 406 GPS EPIRB CAT II
Smartfind 406 EPIRB with GPS, Cat. I
Smartfind 406 EPIRB with GPS, Cat.II

LI32 · 09-01-2009, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-Trial

I have a 31 contender and will go offshore no more than 120 miles.

ACR Globalfix iPRO 406 GPS EPIRB CAT II

Smartfind 406 EPIRB with GPS, Cat.II

You want one of those two. On small boats, Class I units, which only release when the boat sinks to 4 meters (14') are virtually useless; and you want one with an internal gps, which will save 1-3 hours on the time to be rescued.

Miss Trial · 09-01-2009, 12:23 PM

Ok, then what are the differnces in these two...

ACR Globalfix iPRO 406 GPS EPIRB CAT II

Smartfind 406 EPIRB with GPS, Cat.II

Where are these mounted in a contender?

jwo9958 · 09-08-2009, 09:18 AM

I would suggest you get a CAT II GPS EPIRB and mount the bracket in a somewhat protected area under your T-top. CAT II units are manually or water activated . They are not water activated when they are inside their mounting bracket. The ACR Globalfix is no longer in production but they certainly are being supported by ACR’s technical team. CAT I units are automatically deployed using a hydrostatic release mechanism in the event of your vessel sinking before you could get to your EPIRB. It is a nice reassurance but you do not want to wait for your boat to sink for your EPIRB to deploy, you hopefully have time to grab it immediately and trigger it off. I always suggest a safety drill for preparedness in the event of an emergency, location of EPIRB, life raft and ditch bag. Also, I have seen CAT I EPIRB’s mounted up on the hard and if you have heavy seas it is not the easiest place to access. ACR and McMurdo Smartfind are 2 of the more common manufacturers and both use superior technology and workmanship in their products. As far offshore you go I would get a GPS unit and I do like the new ACR Ipro for 2 reasons. It has a digital LED readout that when testing it goes through the testing process on the LED screen. It's more comforting than just getting a green light and flashing strobe telling you it is communicating with the satellite. Also in the event of an actual emergency if you had activated the EPIRB, it displays your LAT/LONG location so you can be proactive in your Mayday distress call. E-mail me at briank@lrse.com for HT pricing. Thank you, Brian