I am in the market for a new PLB and have been looking at the McMurdo Fast Find 210 PLB. I have read a few reports and also read Doug's Review from last year.

I am leaning heavily to this particular PLB and before I make the investment, does anyone have any personal use feedback (both good and bad) on the McMurdo 210?

A question directly for Doug Ritter, have you heard of any issues with the McMurdo since your initial review last year?

Thanks,
Teslin

Teslin,

See this ETS Thread.

Craig

I recently acquired a McMurdo PLB FastFind 210. I'm happy to report that, at this point in time, I don't have any idea how well it works.

As I recall, however, reading through the manual, I was struck by the somewhat mysterious flashing responses in response to this or that test mode, activation, whatever--that signal the functional status of the unit. (Again, this is to the best of my recollection now.) It reminded me of the first Steri-Pen UV water purifying unit (paraphrasing now: "If the unit is sterilizing, it will turn green and blink twice. If not it will turn purple and buzz three times. If it's not yet completed it's cycle it will ring once and then spin around and hop up and down.").

The newer Steri unit now has a smiley face on it to show it's doing what it's supposed to. I think I would like a smiley-face on my PLB to comfort me that it's working when I'm laying next to the big boulder I just fell of off and broke my "axe".

Heh. I hate electronic equipment with status messages given in the form of flashing LEDs and sounds, especially when there are different meanings given to similar signals.

I have FastFind and don't mind the "flashing Light" messaging. It is simple enough to identify the message. There are only 5 messages and they are clearly listed on the back of the unit.

I also like its small size and idiot proof operation. Tear off the cover, extend the antenna and press the button. Just what I want when I am "otherwise occupied" with staying alive.

The size, which is about the size of a candy bar, assures that I WILL have it on my belt at all times when out and about.

So far I have not had any occasion to use it (hopefully never will) but I am impressed with the user reports I have read and its reputation for ruggedness.

I have been carrying it for well over a year now and it is a great comfort to me and my family.

Nomad.

Thanks all for the info so far.

In the thread link that Craig posted, DR recommends the ACR SARLink which costs slightly more then the McMurdo. The extra cost is not a problem if the ACR is better investment overall then the Mcmurdo.

I'll do some research on the ACR over the next couple of days.

The SARLink puts out an additional 1.3 watts ERP. I notice there is now a "SARLink View" version out.