$50 emergency locator beacon?

**Radar** · 15th March 2009, 06:41

Would you buy an emergency locator beacon on bike trips if it was only $50? Would your group or club get one at the actual cost, $525? What are the pro's and con's?

Reading this thread made me wonder if beacons would be useful. You can see my post, #79, for a reference to Trig Instruments, one distributor in NZ.
The Personal Locator Beacon - PLB - can be seen here on this page.

AFAIK, when a beacon is activated on land, an ambulance does not immediately get dispatched, but what is important is that the GPS location is registered with emergency services.

What are your thoughts?

**naphazoline** · 15th March 2009, 07:08

I reckon ,yeah if they were cheaper.Could come in handy if riding solo in the bush,or some of the remote places around then country.

**YellowDog** · 15th March 2009, 07:46

A bit like a life belt on a boat. One of those handy accessories that you are unlikely to ever need however if you are in trouble and out in a remote location, it may well save your life.

Just a thought: If a manufacturer were to tie this in to an anti-theft/recovery tracking device, it would serve two purposes and help to justify a $500+.

**nico** · 15th March 2009, 10:18

it probly just another something to forget to take with you. Id be bold saying 90% of bikes on road (speeking road bikes only) would never be to far from something or someone, in saying that thses in the bush are awsome peice of mind in remote back country by your self+dogs great. but for road use i think it's just another thing we dont need some one said it could be built into a anti theft/ alarm GOOD IDEA

that id consideder

**Jantar** · 15th March 2009, 12:35

It is something I do intend to buy once I get back into adventure riding properly.

I had a scare many years ago when riding solo between Lake Mahineragi (near Dunedin) and Alexandra over the Lamermoor and Knobby ranges. I blew the engine on my bike on the return trip only 100 m from where I had parked the ute, and that was in the middle of no-where. It made me think about what would have happened if I had crashed or even just broken down 30 - 80 kms earlier. No-one would have had any idea where I was. An ELB would be a must in those circumstances, but they weren't available back in 1974.

**sunhuntin** · 15th March 2009, 12:47

id be likely to buy at either price. the only difference being that at $50, i could buy it NOW, whereas anything else would have to be saved up for. either way, whats $500 compared to your life? its a small price to pay for survival.

id leave it with my bike gear [helmet etc] so that id remember the grab it each day or each time i went on a decent trip.

**CookMySock** · 15th March 2009, 19:31

Originally Posted by Jantar

No-one would have had any idea where I was.

This is a situation I try and avoid, biking or otherwise. I always tell someone where I am going.
I guess thats not feasible or even desireable with adventure riding - part of the going bush thing.

Remember you have feet though, and if you are smart you will also have a means to survive a night in the open - mandatory IMO. If someone has no warmies, no food and drink, a wrecked bike, AND a wrecked ankle, then they are a dick. Equivalent to going fishing with no radio, flares, lifejackets, and telling no one where they are going.

In answer to Radars question. If went deep-country adventure riding yes I would spend $50 on a beacon. $500, uh, no, unless I was heading unsupported into really deep country in cold weather, and even then I don't think I would go on such a trip alone.

Steve

**FJRider** · 15th March 2009, 19:39

So... in all practicalitys, what time delay could be expected from activation, to when the rescue chopper is overhead... ???

**98tls** · 15th March 2009, 19:41

Might be helpful at some of the bigger rallys when go back to the tent time youve no fuckin idea what way to go.

**FJRider** · 15th March 2009, 19:47

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Remember you have feet though, and if you are smart you will also have a means to survive a night in the open - mandatory IMO. If someone has no warmies, no food and drink, a wrecked bike, AND a wrecked ankle, then they are a dick. Equivalent to going fishing with no radio, flares, lifejackets, and telling no one where they are going.

In my youth, in times often spent on off road motorcycles, when going into back of beyond areas... I often took a tent. Even if not intending to camp in there. It did get used on some occasions...

**Hockenrider** · 16th March 2009, 16:03

Another option we were given for back counrty riding and have used instead of a beacon was a satellite radio. Hire cost for three days riding was $40.00and just as small as a beacon to carry .
After speaking with the search and rescue person here in Dunedin the radio is a better tool for motorcyclists in his mind as once connected (connect aerial )
we can tell someone at the other end exactly what our issue is and where we are in the area's that we stated when picking it up .

Room for thought maybe ?

**slofox** · 16th March 2009, 16:15

I knew someone (well known person eventually - now deceased) who may well have had a very different life if such a beacon was around at the time. (Was no GPS in them there days.) But in the particular case, yes, it would have saved maybe twelve hours of agony and perhaps mobility as well....

**davereid** · 16th March 2009, 17:37

I carry my handheld VHF marine radio with me when hunting, or on my bike miles from nowhere.

Marine repeaters have massive coverage of NZ, even inland, and many are monitored 24 hrs a day, particularly CH16.

Plus rescue helicopter has CH6 and CH16 onboard, so if you can see or hear the chopper you can talk to them.

You could expect up to 100km of range from a handheld if you are at a high point, even with as little as 5 watts.

From a legal point of view, its not really kosher, but if you only used it in an emergency, you are within the law, as you may use any frequency at your disposal if life is at risk.

**mctshirt** · 17th March 2009, 05:35

Originally Posted by FJRider

So... in all practicalitys, what time delay could be expected from activation, to when the rescue chopper is overhead... ???

With the old 121.5/243 MHz PLB you were looking at up to 48 hours especially if your line of sight to the satellites is restricted e.g. in a steep sided gully. AFAIK the only difference with the non-GPS 406 Mhz jobbies apart from a different frequency (to reduce false alarms associated with the 121 MHZ PLB's) is they send a unique embedded code that is matched to your registered emergency contact details. The GPS 406 Mhz models also send a GPS co-ordinate acquired from the 30 odd GPS Sats orbiting the earth at any given moment and start at around $700. You will also need at least an emergency blanket for quite possible overnight stays.

A satphone at $2000 from Telecom (or hire one) is a more useful option than a PLB/EPIRB/ELB and a far better investment in safety although the marine VHF radio as mentioned would be running a close second in an emergency situation.

IMHO the most reliable option remains telling someone where you're going and when you plan to be back.

**Gman71** · 17th March 2009, 08:40

If the $50 is to hire a new 406mhs beacon- go for it. But for God's sake don't buy a 121.5 mhz beacon- they are obsolete and nor monitored anymore and there are probbaly people out there trying to flog them off. you will just lie there and wait.....!

and yes, if you are going back of beyond, thay are a great idea, response time could be as little as 1 hour until Mr Whirlybird hovers overhead.