ACR 406LinkPlus

[caltexflanc]

I posted a question about this in the most recent SPOT thread, and Kerry made the following excellent points. Does any body have any experience with this, and more importantly it would be interesting to hear from ACR.

http://www.406link.com/406plus.html


"This system should be shutdown and banned and does not support the intended use of Epirb's.

Epirb's should not used used as a "here I am device" as Epirb's do not have excessive battery power to support this. Epirb batteries should be checked once per month not a dozen times a day as suggested by this system.

An Epirb will support you 100% with proper power but reducing the battery capacity by useless and needless battery power wasting will reduce your chance of survival in critical situations.

Frankly ACR should be condemmed for doing this and should know a lot better especially trying to sell this on a subscriptive service.

Totally unacceptable."

[ltcavery]

I don't think I would ever sign up for the "Plus" service because battery concerns. I agree doing this every trip has to cut the battery life down significantly. I also think if I did this routinely offshore, I might accidently flip the lever all the way and send an actual emergency signal....ooops sorry USCG C-130 aircraft for coming out here for nothing....my bad.

But I am thinking the "basic" service might be worthwhile for $39.95 per year. This sends the confirmation to just yourself and this ensures your EPIRB did actually work. I do conduct the self test once per month and it lights up as it's suppose to but I am never really 100% sure its working.

[kitebuz]

Pretty sure they tell you exactly how many messages you can send before needing to replace the battery. One of the reps was telling me about the new PLB, but I recall something like 400 basic txt mssges & maybe 50 of the "I'm here" emails w/ google maps. Don't quote me on those #'s, but it seemed pretty clear cut on how many you can do. Also, the new PLB has a digital screen for testing, & I think it also gave you a read-out of remaining messages you are able to send before compromising the battery.

[gerg]

So if the battery replacement is $200, each of those "I'm here" messages cost you $4?

[kitebuz]

Originally Posted by gerg

So if the battery replacement is $200, each of those "I'm here" messages cost you $4?

I can neither confirm nor deny...

That was how it was explained to me by a rep at the show, but my disclaimer is that I was at the end of working a big trade show, so @ 90% + brain-dead.

Don't quote me on the # of mssgs, or the type that count toward the total. It makes sense, just seemed like you would get more than 50 emails (& 400 self tests which send you a system ok mssge).

I looked on ACR's website, and did not see any battery life specs tied to messaging, so I can't say for sure.