EPIRBs - shop around for best price

[louise skidmore]

Anyone looking for an EPIRB or PLB should check out Whitworths Marine :thumb_up: - I just bought a MT410 with GPS for $599 - that's much less than at Natfly and more than $100 less from other suppliers.

 

Whitworths Marine: Safety Equipment > EPIRB's & PLB's

 

Louise

 

 

[Guest brentc]

I've been waiting for 3 months to get one from Whitworths but they can't deliver.

 

I came across another mob recently at Moorabbin. They will sell you a GME MT4XX without GPS for $500, then when the KTI model gets approved (within a month or 2) they will take back the GME model and then give you a KTI GPS model for $150 changeover. It's all legit and a letter of the offer is provided.

 

Heaven only knows what they do with all the used ones after that.

 

 

[Guest pelorus32]

Let's be clear what's happening here - with respect to GME:

 

1. Nobody took any notice of the impending deadline for switching to 406;
    
    
   
2. Suddenly as the end of February approached every Tom, Dick and Harry worked out that they couldn't take their boat to sea without an EPIRB so they all started buying EPIRBs (legislation differs by state as to whether you have to carry and at what distance from land but the principle holds);
    
    
   
3. GME were swamped with demand for EPIRBs so they switched all their production capacity to EPIRBs;
    
    
   
4. That means that reatilers at best get PLBs in ones or twos when GME has a chance to manufacture a few. All retailers are in the same spot.
    
    
   

 

 

However it appears that the situation is coming back into line. You have always been able to buy the MT410 off the shelf. The MT410G is what everyone wants. If you know where to look you have been able to pick those up for between $599 and $619.

 

Now however there are signs that the MT410G is becoming more available.

 

A little patience will solve the problem. If you can't be patient then you can buy for $20 more if you know where to look.

 

Regards

 

Mike

 

 

[Ferris]

What's the difference between an EPIRB and a PLB?

 

 

[Guest Brett Campany]

EPIRB's are just the same as PLB's, they're just bigger.

 

Both can be used for a variety of situations but a PLB may be cheaper and is smaller for you to carry on your person.

 

Both can have a GPS capability, transmit on 406MHz and can be located and tracked by satellite.

 

 

[Guest mike_perth]

If anyone is interested I have a MT403G for sale - Retail at Whitworths of $769. Unit is brand new was purchased by a mate who has now accepted a job in Africa and has sold the boat it was intended for. A little big to be a PLB but probably a reasonable option for a mounted version in an aircraft or as its intended in a boat.

 

Unit is brand new in box and unregistered - Make an Offer!

 

Mike

 

 

[slartibartfast]

My GME MT410G just arrived from Whitworth's. Still $599 and took only 10 days from order to delivery.

 

 

[tangocharlie123]

You could try BCF as they will price match.

 

I brought my 410G last year for around $570 from BCF in Darwin.

 

Cheers