Locator beacon;different principle that "SPOT". Who knew??

[Snowizard]

Locator beacon;different principle than "SPOT". Who knew??

I just opened the latest edition of "Minnesota Snowmobiling" magazine. (MNUSA)
On page 8 is a full page ad for a "406MHz Personal Locator Beacon." Made by ACR Electronics.
There is tons of info on this site, including some good video's on how their system works. Apparently used also by government agencies world wide. So they say.
http://acrelectronics.com/default.aspx

What I didn't have time to determine was any price info.

They claim its much more reliable and precise than other "locator beacons."
FYI.

 

[Q-BALL]

Saw those the other day in Cabelas catalog- depending on model,(terra-fix) on sale for $400-$500. reg. price $500-$700.

 

[Himark]

Wonder if there is that monthly fee with those.

 

[drscotch]

It is international and it uses the same satellites that all aircraft locator beacons use so it's about as proven a technology as you can get. Around here it gets you a military Search and Rescue response. I don't believe there is a monthly fee but it has to be registered/licensed with the government.

 

[black swan]

It is international and it uses the same satellites that all aircraft locator beacons use so it's about as proven a technology as you can get. Around here it gets you a military Search and Rescue response. I don't believe there is a monthly fee but it has to be registered/licensed with the government.

There isn't a monthly fee, and your lat/long is not manually generatored by the ACR-460mhz beacons. They are triangulated by the sat's and best estimate is forwarded to responders. AND i beleive the are only allowed to be actived ONCE then must be sent to manufacture to be reset.

SPOT generates a lat/long via the receiver and that is sent up to the global-star network. And can be used over and over with a monthly fee. OK, HELP or 911 messages unlimited.

The older beacons are now not as viable, therefore they are being clearanced....

Get a SPOT, your loved ones will thank you over and over.
And you'll ride harder and longer!

Ray
S&R in Colorado

Go prepared or don't GO!

 

[Snowizard]

Powderpatrol,
What I determined from researching their web site,there are different models, using different locator methods.
True, one way it locates is by sat triangulation as you mentioned, but I watched their streaming video on line and they were talking about models that do use a GPS lat-lon that is forewarded when the panic button is pressed.
$0.02