Mcmurdo Fastfind PLB and S10 AIS ?

[hellosailor]

The Fastfind (210?) PLB seems to set a new price point, just above $200 for a PLB with built-in GPS amd manually activated LED flasher. My immediate reaction was that even though it is only a 24-hour transmitter, DAMN would it be a no-brainer to put that in my PFD especially when going on someone else's boat.

And then I saw something that doesn't appear to be shipping yet, on their web page. The S10 AIS transmitter, essentially aPLB with strobe that broadcasts a distress call on AIS, if you're in shipping lanes or someplace with lots of traffic and go overboard. That should be a near-immediate response instead of wasting time going in and out of the global SAR system.

Has anyone laid hands and eyes on these products? Are they really as compelling as they appear to be?

Granted, the PLB is half of an EPIRB time...but 24 hours in my pocket would be a Real Good Start.

[cb32863]

One thing about the 210.... it does not float as per the specs. Not sure if I would want to go in the water with it if it doesn't float. Be a real day ruiner to be out in the water and have the thing come off and sink..... Can get a slip on buoyancy pack but... just my 2 cents.

[hellosailor]

No, it doesn't float, but they sell a little neoprene float coat for it. No big deal--it would be tethered to my PFD, actually stowed inside it. Flotation, I know how to add. Heck, I'm an FAA-EPA-IRS-NASA certified flotation installer.

"The wine? Ah, the wine. No no, that's not alcohol, that's flotation devices, it is simply impossible to obtain corks without the excess packaging."