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Locator beacons
overdog  
Posted : Monday, 3 December 2012 8:44:13 PM(UTC)
overdog

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As we go into some fairly remote and gnarly places after gold, and I've just been watching the mountain rescue thing on the box where 2 people would have been utterly screwed without them, just wondered if anyone carries an EPIRB?

Got me thinking...
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gavin  
Posted : Monday, 3 December 2012 8:58:34 PM(UTC)
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I'd love to have one, but they're pretty expensive!

You could have a go at winning one here though - http://www.topomap.co.nz/Xmas2012 - the top prize is a McMurdo Fast Find 211 Personal Locator Beacon worth $699! ;)
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overdog  
Posted : Monday, 3 December 2012 9:08:08 PM(UTC)
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Agreed Gavin-its a fairly hefty price tag.Thats the only thing stopping me getting one!
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kiwijw  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 5:55:51 AM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: overdog Go to Quoted Post
As we go into some fairly remote and gnarly places after gold, and I've just been watching the mountain rescue thing on the box where 2 people would have been utterly screwed without them, just wondered if anyone carries an EPIRB?

Got me thinking...


Hi there Overdog, Damn funny you should say that. My wife & I were watching that program as well & my wife turned to me & said, "You should carry one of those with you because of the places you go to by yourself. Where would you get one & how much would they be."
I had to agree with her but thought they wouldnt be cheap & it is one more thing to carry. But as one gets older & the body aint what it used to be.....MMmmmmmm......would give my wife peace of mind when I am out there on my own. She always freaks out as she always thinks of the worse case senario's when I am out there or god forbid....if I am a little late getting back out or back home. She has been in tears on more than one occasion thinking I had fallen down a mine shaft or some thing.
Went detecting up the Lyell one time on our way back up north after being down in central. Told here I would be a couple of hours. Well a couple of hours became 4, As it does...... In that time she had walked around the old township site & read all the information boards & of course came across the one that mentiond the danger of open mine shafts & tunnels. Well as I was over due her mind was racing & not long before I walked out down the track from up the old cemetry way.....I came out in to the clearing & bloody hell....here she is with a police car. She is in tears. Had just filled out a missing persons report when the police saw me walk out. I then had to prove I was who I was & that I was no longer missing.
She had got to a point after waiting for me that she went down to the road & waved down the first car that came along which happened to be a police car.
I was angey at my wife but as she said to me . " It is only because I care about you." Oh well....at least some one does.
So lesson learnt. But as you know time out there can get away on you.
That incident isnt the only one but she has got a bit more "understanding" over the years.

Good luck out there

JW :)
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oroplata  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 11:44:50 AM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: kiwijw Go to Quoted Post
She has been in tears on more than one occasion thinking I had fallen down a mine shaft or some thing.


You don't have life insurance? :)
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Shilo  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 12:38:00 PM(UTC)
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I used to have a PLB before they changed the frequency. Once they did that the old ones were obsolete and the new ones 3 times the price so never bothered updating. Never had to set it off but it was comforting to have when kayaking or bush bashing.

Just remember - it won't help you from the bottom of a mine shaft as it still has to be able to "see" a satellite. And it has to be tuned for NZ so overseas ones are useless here.
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cabbydave  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 1:33:20 PM(UTC)
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this thread got my attention as do most of them but i can reply, i hope this is not seen as a dvertising
my father runs marlborough mountain radio services as a sideline [not profit making] hes a keen tramper and outdoor man, also hires out locator beacons etc for a small charge.
could be worth a thought if going on a big mish up foreign territory anywhere
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kiwikeith  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 4:39:18 PM(UTC)
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watch the programe myself and yes i agree both last night would have been pig fodder with out plb
i supose they are like my gps and dont work when exploring in the tunnels lol

i dont have one but i should as im in the bush hunting every day (my job) i do carry a radio so the rest can call each other on ch11 if in range

when hunting personally caz has the other radio at home so if i dont turn up she can drive to the end of the road and try to contact me

for those not to bush wise i say get one and bugger the cost im leaning towards a sat phone about 3 times the cost but i feel for vme a better deal
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gavin  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 5:30:51 PM(UTC)
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I thought the problems with sat phones are that you need to buy credit for them, and if you don't use it within a certain time it expires?

Fair enough regarding the comment about just getting a PLB... I'm thinking I wouldn't have minded shelling out if I do get in to a situation where I need one! Not that I've taken the advice yet. Maybe Santa will bring me one ;)
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gavin  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 5:32:02 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: cabbydave Go to Quoted Post
this thread got my attention as do most of them but i can reply, i hope this is not seen as a dvertising
my father runs marlborough mountain radio services as a sideline [not profit making] hes a keen tramper and outdoor man, also hires out locator beacons etc for a small charge.
could be worth a thought if going on a big mish up foreign territory anywhere


Flick us the link then to some info for the service just in case ;)
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bittenbythebug  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 6:05:09 PM(UTC)
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I carry one for peace of mind, if you fell and were injured and where lying in the bush you would wish you have brought one then!

They are expensive but do save lives.

I understand they can also be rented for reasonable rates.
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overdog  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 6:11:16 PM(UTC)
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Other half has been a bit quiet on the subject since I got life insurance and sorted a will out lol!
Renting might be the go-looking into it there are quite a few places to rent one round these parts...
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oroplata  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 6:31:30 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: overdog Go to Quoted Post
Other half has been a bit quiet on the subject since I got life insurance and sorted a will out lol!


Just keep an eye on her in case she puts sugar in the gas tank of your air compressor just before you go out with your suction dredge!
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element111  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 9:29:49 PM(UTC)
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hay yea we need one too, no reception where we are and long way to get help it you stuck underwater by a boulder wondering when your motor will run out of gas and cut your air off,if someone happends to stumble over a good cheapish one i would be keen
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gogold  
Posted : Tuesday, 4 December 2012 10:37:19 PM(UTC)
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ive rented them a few times, hunting trips etc. still gets expensive renting would be far better off buying one if you do lots out in the bush. can hire from mobil $25 for 3 days. $80 for 10 days. algud hiring once or twice a year but if its once or twice a month be better off buying one. there are quite a few differnt options all have there pros and cons but as you have all said they are bloody expensive.
just gotta work out whats gonna hurt more... the initial cost or lying there for 3 days with a broken leg lol.
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gavin  
Posted : Sunday, 9 December 2012 8:37:52 PM(UTC)
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SPOT is perhaps a cheaper option to classic PLB's:
http://www.findmespot.net.nz/
http://au.findmespot.com/en/

There is a yearly subscription fee though so not sure which works out better in the long run? Though SPOT has extra functionality to send message to pre-programmed contact saying things like "river's up, so delayed leaving" etc.

I haven't read the blurb too deeply, thought I know a school in Kaipoi has them for their outdoor education teachers to use. They seem to think they're pretty good.
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exkiwi123  
Posted : Monday, 10 December 2012 11:24:12 AM(UTC)
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hi guys Try E marine world .com .au //////AA safety alert SAI 406Mhz epirb $249 au or ////AA safety alert SAI /G 406MHz GPS epirb $329 Good for AU/NZ conditions exkiwi123
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gogold  
Posted : Wednesday, 19 December 2012 11:47:29 AM(UTC)
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Hi guys
I just got a plb through these guys http://www.locatorbeacons.co.nz/
ex rental ACR ResQfix PLB 300 cost $250 + $10 postage
a cheaper altermative they do however require a battery change mid to late 2014 ($200-$250)
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kiwikeith  
Posted : Monday, 24 December 2012 4:15:13 PM(UTC)
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after all the talk of plb i decided to go and get one
its a kannad plb at a cost of $555 water proof and very small i feel its a good insurance

if you want one let me know and i will send you the details
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