2024 EPIRB prices

[sepharad]

Am I wrong or has the price of an EPIRB increased between 50 and 100%?

I was hoping to get an ACR EPIRB GlobalFIX V4 and it has been replaced by V5 which is about $300 more.

I do not really want to spend $900 for a replacement for my old unit.

Suggested cost conscious alternatives for coastal cruising?

[5BTM]

400 Canadian pesos from binnacle.com

[pjShap]

The Personal Locator Beacon is not an exact alternative to an EPIRB. It's smaller and lighter, with less battery life. Ocean Signal's RescueME EPIRB1 has a 10-year battery storage life, 48-hour operating life, and lists for $600. Their rescueME PLB1 has 7-year battery storage life, 24-hour operating life, and lists for $350.

[rls8r]

The short answer is "yes" - EPIRB prices have risen since the ACR v4 was the current model.

On the other hand, the features of the various EPIRBs have also been expanded to include, among other things, Return Link Service and in some models, AIS broadcasting. For a good summary of the differences between the models see this comparison chart.

You can pick up an ACR v6 (which is close in functionality to your v4) for about $650 - $700 (and perhaps for even less at a boat show).

[sepharad]

I live in Europe. Add 25% in VAT. Back up to $900. I just replaced my raft, this is growing very painful.

The ACR 4 was affordable. I guess I will go without.

[boatman61]

I opted for Spot Gen3 a few years back, it not only serves as an emergency beacon but allows friends/family to track me as I go.
The GenX and Gen4 allow you to text and receive on the hoof.
The Gen3 is the cheapest at around €160 for the unit plus €125/yr service payment.. the other two are around €100 more/unit for the extra plus a monthly service plan, the basic being around €17/mth.
Another plus for me is one can time the transmissions to every hour or more by switching on and off unlike the EPIRB which has a 72hr battery life.. an advantage when far from land.
I have a fixed text for friends/family "Mayday, Mayday, please contact RNLI and send them the alert and gps link"

[Statistical]

Originally Posted by boatman61

I opted for Spot Gen3 a few years back, it not only serves as an emergency beacon but allows friends/family to track me as I go.
The GenX and Gen4 allow you to text and receive on the hoof.
The Gen3 is the cheapest at around €160 for the unit plus €125/yr service payment.. the other two are around €100 more/unit for the extra plus a monthly service plan, the basic being around €17/mth.
Another plus for me is one can time the transmissions to every hour or more by switching on and off unlike the EPIRB which has a 72hr battery life.. an advantage when far from land.
I have a fixed text for friends/family "Mayday, Mayday, please contact RNLI and send them the alert and gps link"

Spots are pretty cool and provide comms beyond EPIRB but with annual fees not any cheaper than an EPIRB.

EPIBS are expensive and have gotten more expensive with introduction of GPS and now AIS but even a $900 unit is good for 10 years. With a $300 battery replacement good for another 10. So $1,200 for 20 years = $60 a year which after one gets over the sticker shock is pretty solid.

[Statistical]

Originally Posted by sepharad

I live in Europe. Add 25% in VAT. Back up to $900. I just replaced my raft, this is growing very painful.

The ACR 4 was affordable. I guess I will go without.

Wouldn't the V4 also have VAT?

Apples to apples West Marine currently has 3.

V4 - $515
V5 - $895 (AIS & RLS)
V6 - $660 (RLS)

So yeah V6 is a bit more expensive than V5 but some of the cost increase is just inflation.

Side note it is weird marketing to have the V6 be a downgrade from the V5.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Statistical

Spots are pretty cool and provide comms beyond EPIRB but with annual fees not any cheaper than an EPIRB.

EPIBS are expensive and have gotten more expensive with introduction of GPS and now AIS but even a $900 unit is good for 10 years. With a $300 battery replacement good for another 10. So $1,200 for 20 years = $60 a year which after one gets over the sticker shock is pretty solid.

Ahh.. but they also have a monthly option so you just pay for the time your using it.. so if your doing a 1 to 2 month run in open waters (Galicia to Gibraltar) just pay for that then go on hold till you need it again.
I don't bother with my Spot when Harbour hopping within Cell/VHF range of the coast but consider it invaluable for Transats or non stops across the Biscay and beyond to Azores etc.

[CarlF]

I switched to PLB’s a long time ago. Easy to wear around the neck on a lanyard. Too many EPIRBs have been left behind in their bracket.

Transmits the same info just as well. Yes the battery is only 24 hours but they have a fix on you in 20 minutes and have drift models if the signal stops. And unless you are cruising in very out of the way places help will arrive in some form within 12 hours.

But I would never go to sea without my InReach and the EPIRB/PLB as a backup. Let’s you inform family members if you are delayed. Request medical aid. Get weather. Handle situations that don’t require declaring a MAYDAY. In difficult weather, the Garmin center will even maintain a watch with hourly checkins. They’ll inform SAR of your situation so a rescue can be planned if needed.