Well, I see there were a whopping total of 2 replies (and 133 views) to my fairly recent post re: personal locator beacons. Given the attention given to PLB's on this website, hasn't anyone actually bought one of these things and could possibly offer some feedback about how much, where, and etc. etc??

Thanks!

I'm sorry my post is off topic but....

In my twisted mind I can picture some frugal, but dim-witted, relative of an elderly person saying "golly, why should I lay out cash and pay a subscription fee for a Companion pendant when I can buy one of those PLB's and have the government help granny for free?
I can just see the product testimonial from Betty Bluehair of Boca now; "I slipped and fell on my way to the mailbox and couldn't get up. I would have been there for hours if it hadn't been for those young men in the orange and white helicopter and the nice folks from the Civil Air Patrol. Thank you Pains Wessex!"

Okay. I'm done now. Sorry.

Chris

Acquiring a unit is a priority with me. I imagine these will be much like television, computers and cell phones integrating into world society. 4 decades ago we were the first family with colour T.V. Now Mongolian herdsmen have units in their Yurts. I imagine there is some Walter Mitty resistance going on also. I was invited to fly in a french version of the german WW2 Stork light aircraft. Light? The thing lost power and I almost had to get out and push. We landed in a lemon orchard. I was so proud of my at the ready PSK.Then a orchard worker drove up in a utility cart and produced a cell phone. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

MOAN! <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Though, I must admit I liked that one. Just keep quiet or we shall be hearing some marketing ads referring to this very idea. Some shameless promoter (Aron Ralston maybe?) will no doubtably tout these things as the current means of modern rescue. I mean after all with those dang scooters; one never knows where those ol’ bluehairs will wind up. Problem is the "fly-by-nighter" will make a small killing and then pocket the extra money. Doubtful they will share with Doug and ETS. But like everything else, which is sold in this country (USA), we seem to be behind the eight ball when it comes to new technology now! Our Pacific Rim and European friends have been laughing at us for months (years) now because we generally adopt something 18 months behind them. As for me; well if and when I do buy one; I'll probably go to Canada and get mine. They have been on the market there longer and are now in their second and possibly third generation. Well past the "bugs worked out" stage.

I see no need for a PLB. Maybe if I was a boater on the Great Lakes or ocean I would like one. For travel (on roads) and trails, I prefer to not be "located". If I have a problem, I can deal with it in some less expensive fashion. Cell phone, HAM radio or just common signalling methods. PLBs are too costly, too heavy and no guarantee of a longer life. Just my 2 pennys! <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

OK Stargazer. This is good info. Would you mind expanding a little bit on the cheaper/better in Canada thing? This is why I posted originally. What brand, how much, etc.

Many thanks.

Sotto:
I mentioned Canada, because I have family in that great country as well. Good excuse as any to visit them. One of my cousins said he obtained a ACR unit there about mid January of this year and only paid about $288 USD well below the list of $599 USD here in the states. Unfortunatley, the company he bought it from went under in April because of a divorce. Most of the time I will see any new electronic item in most catalogs with the ususal description and then putting the word *CALL in the price column. This translates (in my book anyway) to "how much can we soak the customer for; today?" The whole idea of paying more than MSRP is absolutely absurd. Another reason is (Doug or Chris jump in if I am wrong) the Canadians do not require the additional 121.5MHz or Morse code 'P' in their units as does the USA. This is no doubt one of the reasons the units were not available until the first of this month. Is the two additional features of the US models really worth an extra $200 to $300? No thanks I say. People who know me know I buy "the best" and spend less for it. Sometimes, it is just a simple matter of negotiating and negotiating. Hope this helps.

Yes, Stargazer, that was a big help. I had no idea about the "p" and the 121.5 issues. Sounds like you got a giant savings to me. However, the additional feature of a built-in GPS sounds like a very significant advantage, as long as the satellites are accessible.

If the "built-in GPS" can be used as a GPS, then I might agree; personally, I'd prefer to buy one with a GPS connector that I can hook my existing handheld GPS into.

>>If I have a problem, I can deal with it in some less expensive fashion.

Careful That's what Aron Ralston thought, and he was an idiot... (At least, according to 99.9 percent of the regulars on this forum <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> )