Personal Locator Beacon(PLB) recoding for NZ

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ottenpat

73 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 115036 11-Mar-2013 19:20

My wife and I do a lot of hicking and we plan to do some rather long ones(2-3 days) in the near future. I am looking to purchase a new PLB just to make sure we cover our safety from potentially rather remote accidents.

Buying new from NZ is rather expensive ~$600. For the same item off Amazon it is about NZ$375 plus frieght.

The main requirement is to get the PLB recoded for NZ(country code 512) once it is here. This service is available here but I have had one quote of $150-$200. This seems rather steep to me.

I am not so experience in this space but I think the research I have done is correct. Just looking for a resonable price for recoding.

Can anyone out there help me identify where I can go?

Thanks
Patrick

BlakJak

638 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 778169 11-Mar-2013 19:40

You could enquire with NZ Land SAR? www.nzlsar.org.nz

This would be me...

knoydart

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Reply # 778171 11-Mar-2013 19:43

Have you checked with the beacons people that you can't just bring in an overseas beacon and just register it with them? Each beacon has a large hex code so possibly it could be placed onto the New Zealand register?

Aviation safety in Tauranga have supplied the ones I use, very helpful when we had one set off over New years down in Wanaka.

ottenpat

73 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 778178 11-Mar-2013 20:13

knoydart: Have you checked with the beacons people that you can't just bring in an overseas beacon and just register it with them? Each beacon has a large hex code so possibly it could be placed onto the New Zealand register?

Aviation safety in Tauranga have supplied the ones I use, very helpful when we had one set off over New years down in Wanaka.

You have to register them here but they are coded for the counrty they are sold in. Everything is recodable as people do travel and move countries etc. You have to register the unit in the country it is coded for. If you set it off they will do all the checks locally. If you are registered overseas that can be a bit problematic or slow things down.

NZ's code is 512

Patrick

knoydart

854 posts

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Reply # 778185 11-Mar-2013 20:34

Thanks for the country coding information - handy to know these things.

If the costs are as you say, it seems like less hassle to buy one here in NZ. I've seen non gps versions below $599 but gps versions seem to be at the $599 mark at various retailers. Good luck with your tramping in any case.

Another thing to consider if its short term, is beacon hire. But you might want to work out short term costs vs long term ownership of a beacon

ottenpat

73 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 778189 11-Mar-2013 20:47

knoydart: Thanks for the country coding information - handy to know these things.

If the costs are as you say, it seems like less hassle to buy one here in NZ. I've seen non gps versions below $599 but gps versions seem to be at the $599 mark at various retailers. Good luck with your tramping in any case.

Another thing to consider if its short term, is beacon hire. But you might want to work out short term costs vs long term ownership of a beacon

I am looking for the GPS version as it narrows the search area considerabley so the ~$600 is the estimated figure. I will buy over hireing as we are tramping a fair bit(most weekends this summer) and going to step it up more this year.

Patrick