would you buy a used 406 EPIRB?

[cfwegman]

I've come across a 1990 model KODEN 406 cat 1 Epirb at a pawn shop. Looks good. Battery went out of date in 94. The price is right "if" it is still a serviceable unit. I e-mailed Sitex. Hope they will respond. Any thoughts?

Product Engineer, SMITH Marine Products

[jtburf]

Nope not on my life .... get a new one with gps built in .... really how much you going to save???? .... ok that's how much value you have on you self..... Not me ...John

[cfwegman]

I've got a ACR mini B now, but without the positive ID of the 406 and that it;s frequency will be abandoned in a few years, I thought I'd upgrade. The new ones with the GPS are great, but if I can replace my "B" with a cat1 406 for a couple hundred bucks?? I know, whats my life worth, but if I was going to play that game, I would not go 60 miles offshore in a 21 Seacat, I'd stay home safe on the couch.

Product Engineer, SMITH Marine Products

[irish]

The biggest probelm with EIPRBs of that age (12 years old) is the battery. Those are supposed to be replaced every 60 months. If you buy the old unit, and then have to get a battry for it, you are probably going to spend as much as a new one.
It is like Fire Extinguishers. They are almost as expensive to recharge as to buy new.

jjmcdonald@hotmail.com
jmcdnald@cisco.com

[maineguides]

I SECOND THIRD AND FOURTH WHAT JTBURF SAYS
if you are going to buy equipment that might or might not work when you need it, just save your money and buy the good one. you might have to wait a little longer but will be well worth it.
never spend money on questionable safety equipment!!!!!!!

just my thoughts
capt jim

The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese

[John Jensen]

I bought a used one, it tested fine and works fine and registered with USCG okay. No need to fear "used" if you can return it if it doesn't test good.

One thing to consider is the battery. I don't know about yours but a replacement for mine is 150.00 and needs to be installed by an authorized service center where they install new seals and test the unit. That's another 30-75.00 depending on where you take it.

"Snow Goose", John Jensen

[cfwegman]

FYI, A call to Sitex and the word is they no longer service KODEN epirbs. Obsolete.

Product Engineer, SMITH Marine Products