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I have the same question. So many people on here talk about the importance of an epirb, and it sounds like everybody, who is responsible, should have one if you are going offshore. So, how about some advise on what to look for in an epirb.
Get an EPIRB, fishing offshore without at least that borders on negligence. ACR epirb with built in GPS. Find Jim at BOE right here on this forum and he will sell you one at a good price with no shipping cost. While your at it, go ahead and get a ACR ditch bag and start to build an offshore survival kit.
The recent story of the 3 guys lost off the Texas coast for 7 days(might be wrong on the days) is a great example of why you need it. Thank goodness for them they are home tonight safe and sound but if they simply had an epirb, they would have been home the same night.
Get it. Don't delay, it is cost the same this week as next so get it before your next trip. Good luck.
I just got mine (long over due) - based on advice from the folks at BOE marine -I got one with a built in GPS - CAT II for my center console.
Most of these also come with a connection to your onboard GPS - So the EPRIB can broadcast the last positon fed to it before its own internal GPS gets a fix -
I got the ACR GLOBALFIX IPRO CAT 2 -has a display that shows lat/long along with the test screens -
The REVERE Smartfind Plus GPS EPIRB Manual CAT II was a close second - a little less expensive - but no position display
For larger sportsfisherman - a CAT I would be a good investment
ACR and McMurdo both make good units. (I have the ACR Globefix iPro Cat1)
The choices come down to: units that have no GPS info and broadcast only the 406MHZ distress to the COSPAS-SARSAT orbiting satellites, pretty crude by comparison to the:.
Internal GPS units, which adds your position fix via internal GPS to the 406 MHZ distress signal, pinpointing where you are.
And then there are the dual GPS units that are connected to your boats GPS and are aware to your position and don't need to "wake up" and find where they are in the event of an activation, plus they have an internal GPS reciever of course.
The only other choice is Cat 1- auto deploy, or Cat 2 - manual deploy.
Whichever you chose, you register the unit with your info so that the signal is unique to your boat.
FWIW, the satellites orbit about every 20 min.
Don't discount the Cat 1 auto deploy. I hope to never need mine but if I do, I hope that I would be able to activate it myself but, if I can't, I have the chance it may activate itself, you never know.
OH yes, be sure to get a unit that floats. Some don't.
McMurdo FastFind PLB w/406 MHz & GPS will do the trick. It's a GREAT compact unit and it's economical to boot.
The nice thing about this unit besides it is very small is it's not registered specifically to your boat, it's registered to "you" so you can take it with you hiking, on a plane, another boat etc. It not only notifies the Coast Guard, but it also allows you to send status updates to your registered e-mail contacts (loved ones etc) to let them know you are alright.
I second calling Jim at BOE. When I bought mine he had the best price around plus he will price match if you happen to find it lower somewhere else.
Last edited by Fish'nFool; 09-02-2009 at 07:15 AM.
ACR and McMurdo both make good units. (I have the ACR Globefix iPro Cat1)
The choices come down to: units that have no GPS info and broadcast only the 406MHZ distress to the COSPAS-SARSAT orbiting satellites, pretty crude by comparison to the:.
Internal GPS units, which adds your position fix via internal GPS to the 406 MHZ distress signal, pinpointing where you are.
And then there are the dual GPS units that are connected to your boats GPS and are aware to your position and don't need to "wake up" and find where they are in the event of an activation, plus they have an internal GPS reciever of course.
The only other choice is Cat 1- auto deploy, or Cat 2 - manual deploy.
Whichever you chose, you register the unit with your info so that the signal is unique to your boat.
FWIW, the satellites orbit about every 20 min.
Don't discount the Cat 1 auto deploy. I hope to never need mine but if I do, I hope that I would be able to activate it myself but, if I can't, I have the chance it may activate itself, you never know.
OH yes, be sure to get a unit that floats. Some don't.
Highflier just gave you a very good description of EPIRBs. ACR is probably the most recommended brand of EPIRBs around. I recently purchased an ACR Cat 2 EPIRB - manual deploy - from BOE Marine (THT Sponsor). See the links below for the ACR EPIRBs @ BOE Marine. Note that the ACR Globalfix units have an internal GPS, as Highflier referenced above.
A lot of good info here. I'll provide my own .02 here.
CAT I EPIRBs have a "auto-deploy" system -- that's why they cost more. They're geared towards larger boats, like sportfisherman, where they're mounted on the hardtop or superstructure.
CAT II EPIRBs are "manual-deploy" that means you have to take them with you. You can fix mount them, or just place them in your ditch bag.
Some EPRIBs have a built in GPS some do not. The GPS versions cost more. Some GPS equipped units have a "constant GPS feed", i.e. you keep them plugged into your boat's GPS and the EPRIB has your latest lat/lon ready to transmit should you need it. The other GPS equipped EPRIBs acquire your lat/lon once activiated, taking a few minutes.
All EPIRBs will automatically begin to transmit upon contact with water -- you don't have to turn them on. That is not true for PLBs -- you have to manually turn them on.
All EPRIBs float upright and will transmit properly if you just leave them alone tethered to you in the water. PLB will not. PLBs do NOT float and must be held in the proper attitude to enable the signal to broadcast properly.
The battery life (transmitting) in EPRIBs is longer than PLBs. That may change soon, but for the current crop of EPIRPs/PLBs that's reality.
EPRIBs are registered to a specific boat; PLBs are registered to individuals. If you fish off of different boats with charter captains, or friends, a PLB may be better suited to your needs. If you fish off just one boat - yours, an EPRIB is better.
You need to decide what you need based on your circumstances, not other people's.
A lot of good info here. I'll provide my own .02 here.
CAT I EPIRBs have a "auto-deploy" system -- that's why they cost more. They're geared towards larger boats, like sportfisherman, where they're mounted on the hardtop or superstructure.
CAT II EPIRBs are "manual-deploy" that means you have to take them with you. You can fix mount them, or just place them in your ditch bag.
Some EPRIBs have a built in GPS some do not. The GPS versions cost more. Some GPS equipped units have a "constant GPS feed", i.e. you keep them plugged into your boat's GPS and the EPRIB has your latest lat/lon ready to transmit should you need it. The other GPS equipped EPRIBs acquire your lat/lon once activiated, taking a few minutes.
All EPIRBs will automatically begin to transmit upon contact with water -- you don't have to turn them on. That is not true for PLBs -- you have to manually turn them on.
All EPRIBs float upright and will transmit properly if you just leave them alone tethered to you in the water. PLB will not. PLBs do NOT float and must be held in the proper attitude to enable the signal to broadcast properly.
The battery life (transmitting) in EPRIBs is longer than PLBs. That may change soon, but for the current crop of EPIRPs/PLBs that's reality.
EPRIBs are registered to a specific boat; PLBs are registered to individuals. If you fish off of different boats with charter captains, or friends, a PLB may be better suited to your needs. If you fish off just one boat - yours, an EPRIB is better.
You need to decide what you need based on your circumstances, not other people's.
PB
That is interesting. I bought the CAT II McMurdo from BOE. The reason i went with the CAT II is because i read the CAT I "hydro stat" feature would not work unless submerged in ~12' of water. That wouldn't happen in my boat so i went with the CAT II which i though i would have to manaually deploy. What is the definition of "auto deploy" if they all work when they get wet immediately?
Looks like i will have to go back and re-read up on what i bought.
All EPIRBs will automatically begin to transmit upon contact with water -- you don't have to turn them on. That is not true for PLBs -- you have to manually turn them on.
I was under the impression that it was only CAT 1 that offered this feature and that only works if it's 12' under water? At least that is what I was told when I was shopping/researching EPIRBs and PLBs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prop Blast
All EPRIBs float upright and will transmit properly if you just leave them alone tethered to you in the water. PLB will not. PLBs do NOT float and must be held in the proper attitude to enable the signal to broadcast properly.
Great point! That said, the FastFind PLB is small enough (size of a cell phone) to carry in your pocket and they make a laniard for it as well as a floating pouch, which makes keeping it on your person convenient, which IMO is the best thing to do anyway esp if you're offshore.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prop Blast
The battery life (transmitting) in EPRIBs is longer than PLBs. That may change soon, but for the current crop of EPIRPs/PLBs that's reality.
48hrs vs at least 24hrs for the PLB. If the Coast Guard has not found you in 24hrs and you have either an EPIRB or PLB then you have bigger problems to worry about as far as I am concerned! Both have a 5 yr battery life. The FastFind battery is less expensive to replace then the ACR 406 EPIRB battery.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prop Blast
EPRIBs are registered to a specific boat; PLBs are registered to individuals. If you fish off of different boats with charter captains, or friends, a PLB may be better suited to your needs. If you fish off just one boat - yours, an EPRIB is better.
Very true, but my philosphy is, I want them looking for ME not my boat. Especially when its not uncommon for a boat to sink or someone that is thrown over board when a boat capsizes to become separated from the boat. The PLB does allow you to register your boat make and model also and that information along with any other registered info is transmitted to the Coast Guard when the PLB is deployed.
At the end of the day you will be safer with either. If you can afford a CAT 1 EPIRB that deploys automatically that's your best bet.
That is interesting. I bought the CAT II McMurdo from BOE. The reason i went with the CAT II is because i read the CAT I "hydro stat" feature would not work unless submerged in ~12' of water. That wouldn't happen in my boat so i went with the CAT II which i though i would have to manaually deploy. What is the definition of "auto deploy" if they all work when they get wet immediately?
Looks like i will have to go back and re-read up on what i bought.
What I mean by "auto deploy" is that the CAT I EPIRB is stored inside a cannister that is mounted to the boat. When the boat "sinks" the canister the EPIRB is in is submerged. At that point, the release will trigger the cannister to open and EPIRB will deploy (the depth at which the release happens will likely vary a bit).
At that point, contact with water occurs and the EPRIB will "turn on/activate" and since it floats, will begin to broadcast as soon as it hits the surface.
The CAT II EPIRB can also be fixed mounted using the bracket that comes with the unit; but it doesn't have a cannister and you have to manually "deploy" it by removing it from the bracket. Once you "toss" it into the water, it turns itself on and will begin to transmit your location.
I recommend people buy a CAT II epirb as their first, and a CAT I for backup if money allows. A CAT I epirb needs to be mounted away from any rigging or obstructions so it can float free to the surface once released. This spot is usually the top of a hard top or foredeck of a bigger boat. If your boat catches on fire I would hate to be the guy tasked with climbing up to the hardtop to grab the epirb, especially if its rough out or dark. A CAT II mounted near the captain or in a nearby ditch bag will be better in most situations.
__________________
Jim Maier | BOEmarine.com | 866.735.5926 x104
Good advice and customer service is our thing. Learn about our "Good Advice Guarantee"
Jim's comment about mounting a CAT I got me thinking. If a boat sinks, you never know which way it could sink, therefore, if it goes down bow first, and you have it mounted on the foredeck, there is a good chance it could get caught in the rigging of a tower.
__________________ Justin
2000 Luhrs 320 Open - CAT Power United States Power Squadron - Vessel Safety Examiner
I have a class I Cat I mounted on the flybridge hardtop. Anyone can grab it out of the box by pulling the lanyard for realease. It does not blow out all you have to do is grab it. So getting it for manual release is NO BIG DEAL. I run a boat that will sink allllll the way to the bottom. I don't have much fear of taking the "big one" over the transom. I only worry about fire (in that case I am probably sitting in the Captain's seat) or getting rolled in big seas with engines out or off.
For the guys endorsing the PLB's; not all things being sold as PLB's call the Coast Guard. WHO DOES YOUR PLB CALL? Your wife? For some of you that may not be the best idea. Don't confuse SPOT with a real PLB. In this case a PLB costs almost the same as a ClassII with a 100 mw of power lasting at least 48 hours. Thanks, In case I will take the regular EPIRB in ClassII please.
Most PLB's now have batteries that will last for 48 hours also like an EPIRB... A SPOT is NOT a PLB and it is not a safety device... A PLB that comes with internal GPS has two limitations its manually activated and it must be held out of the water to transmit properly.... but they also have many pros also..
__________________ "I'm suing the THT and the guy that made it."
For the guys endorsing the PLB's; not all things being sold as PLB's call the Coast Guard. WHO DOES YOUR PLB CALL? Your wife? For some of you that may not be the best idea. Don't confuse SPOT with a real PLB. In this case a PLB costs almost the same as a ClassII with a 100 mw of power lasting at least 48 hours. Thanks, In case I will take the regular EPIRB in ClassII please.
I am the only one here endoursing the PLB and in particular the McMurdo FastFind PLB w/GPS. The FastFind PLB offers the same distress signal/broadcast technology as an EPIRB. The signal is broadcast/transmitted over the GPS through the Cospas-Sarsat satellites which is the same network the ACR EPIRB's use. It also broadcast 406MHz and 121.5 MHz signal, the same as the ACR EPIRB's.
As for the price, the FastFind PLB costs $289, which is a far cry from ACR's least expensive CAT 2 EPIRB ringing it at $500. Not to mention the replacement battery for the FastFind will run 30% to 40% less then the replacement battery for the EPIRB. And to quote Billy Mays, "And it gets even better!" FastFind does not require the upfront "registration" fee.
How does an EPIRB compare to a GPS/VHF system with DSC? I have a Garmin 4212 with an ICOM 304 VHF and it is supposed to broadcast the boats location if you press the Distress button. Is this broadcast limited to the range of the VHF? Also, are there any DSC systems that broadcast automatically if submerged? I'm thinking a DSC system would be useless if the boat capsizes and the signal needs to go through the VHF antenna.
__________________
-Fish names can be offensive...like the other day I was out on the pier and I asked a lady if I could see her big red snapper and she punched me in the mouth! -Listen
I am the only one here endoursing the PLB and in particular the McMurdo FastFind PLB w/GPS. The FastFind PLB offers the same distress signal/broadcast technology as an EPIRB. The signal is broadcast/transmitted over the GPS through the Cospas-Sarsat satellites which is the same network the ACR EPIRB's use. It also broadcast 406MHz and 121.5 MHz signal, the same as the ACR EPIRB's.
As for the price, the FastFind PLB costs $289, which is a far cry from ACR's least expensive CAT 2 EPIRB ringing it at $500. Not to mention the replacement battery for the FastFind will run 30% to 40% less then the replacement battery for the EPIRB. And to quote Billy Mays, "And it gets even better!" FastFind does not require the upfront "registration" fee.
Just thought I would clarify!
Your not the only one. I find the fact that that the PLB w/ GPS was portable to be the big selling point for me...It is hard to argue with how inexpensive the Mcmurdo unit is for all the features it has... For smaller offshore boats it seems to fit the bill...
__________________ "I'm suing the THT and the guy that made it."
For smaller offshore boats it seems to fit the bill...
I hear ya Cracker, I don't have a 40'+ boat with a "fly bridge" so the FastFind fits nicely in my pocket on my 218 CC! It always surprises my wife when I give her hug.
Epirb 
