THE PLB Post

All this recent talk about PLB's has cemented firmly into my mind that its certainly a worthwhile purchase. As such, I'd like to get some input from you fine folks. There's been a lot of talk about PLBs in the forum, but It'd be nice for everyone, I think, to see concrete facts all in one place, instead of spread throughout different threads.
I've read Doug' PLB FAQ already, but I'd like to get some input from people who have them, want them, carry them, know where to find the deals, whatever.

I'd like one that's fairly compact, because if it's not on you, you're not going to have it when you need it. It'll be used for private flying, hiking, and such.

On a separate note, does anyone know of a suitable container for use in storing a PLB while SCUBA Diving? I try not to go below about 75-80 feet, since I have sinus problems and the pressure that far down bothers me. So, I guess I'm asking for a case that's watertight to that depth/floats.

Where are the deals, what're your preffered models and brands, etc?

Thanks Everyone,
Kyle

My wife recently gave the thumbs up for purchasing a PLB with an internal GPS.

Our feeling on the internal GPS thing is that the PLB will most likely be used when something bad has happened. If things aren't going well, the last thing I want to have to worry about is connecting a GPS to the PLB and pressing the right button to initiate the download. Having the internal GPS just makes the whole thing simpler.

In looking around I focused on the TerraFix or its "relatives". It appears to be the most modern setup ... for now. The ACR TerraFix, AquaFix, and AeroFix are all identical except for the color of the cases. Focusing on units with internal GPS now, I found the price on the TerraFix to be $650 everywhere I looked, but I found the AquaFix for %575 - $75 cheaper than the TerraFix. BUT ACR offers a $75 rebate for the TerraFix (but not for the AquaFix) so they both cost the same. The AquaFix came with a ditch bag that I had no interest in at this time. So, I ended up buying the TerraFix.

Like I said, the price was identical everywhere I looked, so I ended up bying it from Aeromedix since they've done very well by me in the past with purchases of Doug's knives and lights. It is supposed to arrive next Tuesday.

The primary reason we are buying it is to bring along with us on family vacation in remote areas - specifically Glacier National Park next year. It will probably also accompany me on some Boy Scout trips, though for the most part a cell phone will do us just fine on most trips.

I don't plan to put it in a separate case, other than a ziplok bag maybe, though I reserve the right to change my mind. Though I don't think it is built to be carried undewater while diving, It is quite waterproof - it even uses an optical connector - as opposed to a metal contact connector - for the external GPS in order to minimize the chance for leakage.