ACR’s PLBs

[SportFishStaff]

Smaller, Lighter and now with a Strobe Light and Multi-Use GPS Acquisition Testing!”

It’s a press release, of course, so I expect the hype, and the creative capitalization rules. But seriously, these things are getting better and cheaper by the year. Pretty soon, there won’t be a reason NOT to have one, even if you only head out beyond cell-phone coverage areas once or twice a year!

Let’s see what the press release says…

AquaLink front flash

ACR Electronics introduces its newest generation of Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) the AquaLink 406 MHz GPS PLB.

The AquaLink , which recently received FCC approval, features a new strobe light function and multi-use GPS acquisition testing. The AquaLink represents one of the smallest, lightest 406 GPS PLBs in the world. The rugged, one-button activated, emergency signaling device is perfect for offshore boaters and sailors and outdoor enthusiasts heading into remote
areas.

The AquaLink has all new high performance features such as:
* Built-in, super bright LED strobe light increases visibility to Search and Rescue.
* Onboard 66-channel parallel GPS acquires then transmits LAT/LON when the unit is activated, dramatically saving valuable time for the distress message to reach local rescue centers, and provide rescue agencies with exact position to within 110 yards (100 meters).
* In addition to full functional self testing of internal circuitry, battery voltage and power, the AquaLink allows for an increased number of long GPS acquisition tests‹up to 12 times per life of battery.
* More efficient design uses less power, making it lighter.
* Inherently buoyant.

Suggested MSRP for the AquaLink is $499.00.

Specifications
Size: 2.25 x 5.88 x 1.49² (5.72 x 14.94 x 3.78 cm)
Weight: 8.9 oz (252 g) with lanyard
Battery: Lithium battery packs, meets DOT and IATA rules for safe transport, 5-year replacement life
Deployment: Manual
Activation: Manual
Operation: 2 steps: deploy antenna, press ON button, giving clear view to the sky
Waterproof: 16.4¹ (5 m) @ 1hr., 33¹ (10 m) @ 10 min
Operational Life: Exceeds required 24 hours @ -4º F (-20º C)
Certification: Cospas-Sarsat, FCC, and RTT&E Europe Approved

[SportFishStaff]

PLB'S Here and ready to go @

http://www.sportfishermen.com/shop/m...cator-beacons/

Fastfind™ 406 PLB
Fastfind PLB 82-826-004A

The smallest and lightest Personal Location Beacon in the world The Fastfind standard 406MHz Personal Location Beacon has all the features of the Fastfind Plus but without GPS. The 406MHz frequency provides an alert signal to the rescue services within 90 minutes maximum, depending on satellite passes and gives a positional accuracy within 3nm. Once in the vicinity the 121.5MHz transmitter provides a signal for the rescue services to home-in on. This information is more than sufficient to enable rescue services to find a vessel or individual in distress particularly if equipped with flares and lifejacket light.

* Weighs just 9 oz.
* Global alert to Cospas-Sarsat satellites
* 406MHz transmitter
* 121.5MHz homing frequency
* Alert time within 90 minutes
* Positional accuracy to within 3 m
* Compact and stylish
* Complete with lanyard and designer carry case
* User replaceable battery packs (-4oF or -40oF)



The Fastfind Plus and Fastfind Personal Location Beacons feature the same advanced technology as found in the award winning Rescue and Precision 406 GPS EPIRBs. Designed using miniaturized components to fit into an aesthetically styled compact casing both versions employ a simple three-stage manual operation and feature user replaceable battery packs, which are available for use in temperatures of -4 and -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Carrying the Fastfind could not be simpler, there are a number of easy fixing options which either come as standard or as optional extras. Bother versions are supplied with a lanyard and designer carry case to enable the user to keep the PLB safely attached at all times. These latest advanced products from McMurdo/Pains-Wessex have been designed to provide recreational and professional boaters, aviators as well as outdoorsmen with the very best chance of being found without delay at sea in an emergency.

* Global coverage the Cospas-Sarsat polar orbiting satellites
* Geostationary coverage >75oN - 75oS
* Comprehensive indication of operation
* 121.5MHz transmission
* 406 MHz transmission
* GPS acquisition and fix status
* Integral 12 channel parallel GPS receiver
* GPS cold start time to fix typically less than 3 minutes
* GPS transmitted position update rate every 20 minutes (as permitted by Cospas-Sarsat)
* GPS reacquisition time, typically less than 60 seconds
* Positional accuracy typically 98 feet
* Time to alert, typically three minutes (via geostationary satellite)