EPIRB- with or without GPS, Manual or automatic release

[chef2sail]

Looking to purchase one for our upcomming trip. Have done some research on ACR and McMurdo. Seem similar. Leaning to AR with GPS manual, but I want others opinions who have purchased them.

Reliabilty? Self Testability, Warrenty,? etc.

Who has the best deals on them?

Dave

[sailak]

I just picked up the manually deployed ACR GlobalFix Pro. It will not be interfaced with the boat GPS but it does have a built in GPS.

I went manual deployment because of limited space to mount it "outside" where it could release automatically....I'm somewhat of an optimist and feel I will be able to throw it into the raft along with the ditch bag if it comes to that. I mounted it right next to the companionway ladder so it'll be easy to grab on the way up.

I didn't worry about GPS interface since the first fix time is pretty quick without interfacing with the boat GPS.

I'm really hoping it will be a wasted $900!

[SVAuspicious]

Just about exactly the same thought process here as sailak had. I have an ACR Globalfix I bought in 2006. Good test Memorial Day and Labor Day each year. Hmm - time to start thinking about factory service.

I bought mine from life-raft.com which was the least expensive at the time. I haven't kept up with the prices since.

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that there is a new service that allows you to check the functioning of your EPIRB... I'd highly recommend going with one with an INTEGRATED GPS, rather than one that sits in a cradle and uses an NMEA connection to get lat/long info.

I'd third the ACR Globalfix series...as I have one that I carry on deliveries and such.

[svHyLyte]

We also have the ACR GlobalFix in a manual bracket positioned in our emergency stores locker at the foot of the companionway. One thing to consider is adding a second bracket in the cockpit where the device can be mounted if needed in an emergency. By having the bracket, and removing the magnetic lock-out for the transmitter, one can keep the device secure and properly positioned and transmitting in the cockpit or where-ever without having to worry about tying the unit down with the included lanyard and potentially having it go adrift or end up in a less than ideal position for sending a signal. A second bracket is only about $35.00 USD and ACR has instructions on how to remove the transmitter lock-out magnet.

FWIW...

[killarney_sailor]

We bought a GME unit made in Australia that had an amazing introductory price (less than $400 last year). Don't know what the prices are like now, but it is another contender. We bought a manual, non-GPS system since we are never going to use it anyway