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406mhz ELT Prices

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sean(at)stephensville.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:11 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

I just went out to look at ELTs and I was shocked by the price of the 

406mhz variants.  I know this is the "aviation market", but geesh.  The 

US has no 406mhz "requirement", correct?  I believe Mexico has extended 

the 406mhz requirement until Dec. 31, 2011.  I know the whole concept of 

spending a few more dollars for piece of mind, but man. $700-1800+ for 

an ELT?



I'm not sure I'd ever fly outside the U.S. at this point, but who knows, 

maybe I'll cross the 406mhz path when/if I get to that point and just go 

121.5 until then?  Maybe at that point the initial markup for a new 

product will evaporate?



Have others just bitten the bullet and gone 406?  Seems you could almost 

add a 406 EPIRB to the 121.5 ELT and get piece of mind cheaper than 

getting a 406 ELT.



-Sean #40303

Tim Olson

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2879

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:27 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

Don't SKIP on installing an ELT, but don't do a 121.5.

These guys are cheaper for the functionality:



http://www.ackavionics.com/406%20Page.html



It's been a looooooong process getting it all TSO'd in

the US, but if you can spare a few months, I'd wait and

just do this one.  I have one on order right now, and

they have them in stock...they just need the TSO paperwork

complete.  Once it's done, it should be about the most

affordable unit out there with all the good capabilities.



Then also, get yourself a PLB or SPOT as a handheld.

You'll find easy ways to talk yourself into the utility

of having something you can hand-carry while you're

over water, mountains, or anything else.  It could

be a very handy device.  There are many brands...I have

the one here in my write-up:



http://www.myrv10.com/N104CD/flights/20071111/index.html



Nothing too special but it has a nice neoprene

sleeve and all.  If you get a nice 406 ELT, just get

a good working cheap PLB.  Don't waste the time

and money on a 121.5 though.

Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD

do not archive

On 10/6/2010 4:09 PM, Sean Stephens wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 I just went out to look at ELTs and I was shocked by the price of the

 406mhz variants. I know this is the "aviation market", but geesh. The US

 has no 406mhz "requirement", correct? I believe Mexico has extended the

 406mhz requirement until Dec. 31, 2011. I know the whole concept of

 spending a few more dollars for piece of mind, but man. $700-1800+ for

 an ELT?



 I'm not sure I'd ever fly outside the U.S. at this point, but who knows,

 maybe I'll cross the 406mhz path when/if I get to that point and just go

 121.5 until then? Maybe at that point the initial markup for a new

 product will evaporate?



 Have others just bitten the bullet and gone 406? Seems you could almost

 add a 406 EPIRB to the 121.5 ELT and get piece of mind cheaper than

 getting a 406 ELT.



 -Sean #40303

davidsoutpost(at)comcast.
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:46 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

Tim, 

Any pricing on this ELT?  I can't seem to find it anywhere on their website.



David Clifford



RV-10 Builder

65% Done-95% To Go

N849RV (reserved)



---

sean(at)stephensville.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:03 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

Here ya go...



http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/elt406.php



On 10/6/10 4:43 PM, davidsoutpost(at)comcast.net wrote:

[quote] Tim,

 Any pricing on this ELT?  I can't seem to find it anywhere on their 

 website.



 David Clifford



 RV-10 Builder

 65% Done-95% To Go

 N849RV (reserved)



 ---

Kelly McMullen

Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 1188
Location: Sun Lakes AZ

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:04 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/elt406.php



On Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 2:23 PM, Tim Olson <Tim(at)myrv10.com (Tim(at)myrv10.com)> wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> RV10-List message posted by: Tim Olson <Tim(at)myrv10.com (Tim(at)myrv10.com)>

  

 Don't SKIP on installing an ELT, but don't do a 121.5.

 These guys are cheaper for the functionality:

 

 http://www.ackavionics.com/406%20Page.html

 

 It's been a looooooong process getting it all TSO'd in

 the US, but if you can spare a few months, I'd wait and

 just do this one.  I have one on order right now, and

 they have them in stock...they just need the TSO paperwork

 complete.  Once it's done, it should be about the most

 affordable unit out there with all the good capabilities.

 

 Then also, get yourself a PLB or SPOT as a handheld.

 You'll find easy ways to talk yourself into the utility

 of having something you can hand-carry while you're

 over water, mountains, or anything else.  It could

 be a very handy device.  There are many brands...I have

 the one here in my write-up:

 

 http://www.myrv10.com/N104CD/flights/20071111/index.html

 

 Nothing too special but it has a nice neoprene

 sleeve and all.  If you get a nice 406 ELT, just get

 a good working cheap PLB.  Don't waste the time

 and money on a 121.5 though.

 

 

 Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD

 do not archive



 

 

 On 10/6/2010 4:09 PM, Sean Stephens wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		   --> RV10-List message posted by: Sean Stephens <sean(at)stephensville.com (sean(at)stephensville.com)>

 

 I just went out to look at ELTs and I was shocked by the price of the

 406mhz variants. I know this is the "aviation market", but geesh. The US

 has no 406mhz "requirement", correct? I believe Mexico has extended the

 406mhz requirement until Dec. 31, 2011. I know the whole concept of

 spending a few more dollars for piece of mind, but man. $700-1800+ for

 an ELT?

 

 I'm not sure I'd ever fly outside the U.S. at this point, but who knows,

 maybe I'll cross the 406mhz path when/if I get to that point and just go

 121.5 until then? Maybe at that point the initial markup for a new

 product will evaporate?

 

 Have others just bitten the bullet and gone 406? Seems you could almost

 add a 406 EPIRB to the 121.5 ELT and get piece of mind cheaper than

 getting a 406 ELT.

 

 -Sean #40303

 

 	
 

 ===========

 arget="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List

 ===========

 http://forums.matronics.com

 ===========

 le, List Admin.

 ="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

 ===========

 

 

 

 



	


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_________________
Kelly McMullen
A&P/IA, EAA Tech Counselor
KCHD

Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:13 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

I've got this one on order too - and it's been a verrrrrry long     approval process.Â  This was the lowest price one out there but I     have no doubt it will go up once it is available.Â  And people like     Tim and I are HOPING that we get the original price.... whatever it     was.

     

     Maybe Tim remembers that price but maybe it's best left unstated.

     

     Bill "ready to shoot some more paint" Watson

     

     On 10/6/2010 5:43 PM, davidsoutpost(at)comcast.net (davidsoutpost(at)comcast.net) wrote:     [quote]       p { margin: 0; }       Tim, 

           Any pricing on this ELT?Â  I can't seem to find it anywhere on           their website.

           

           David Clifford

           

           RV-10 Builder

           65% Done-95% To Go

           N849RV (reserved)

         

         ---

Tim Olson

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2879

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:31 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

It's been a long time since I looked but I think it was under $600, like $550-595 Ish.





On Oct 6, 2010, at 4:43 PM, davidsoutpost(at)comcast.net (davidsoutpost(at)comcast.net) wrote:



[quote]Tim, 

Any pricing on this ELT?  I can't seem to find it anywhere on their website.



David Clifford



RV-10 Builder

65% Done-95% To Go

N849RV (reserved)



---

rv10builder(at)verizon.ne
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 3:13 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

link says :

Undergoing certification testing, ACK is not accepting orders for the E-04 

until ELT certification process is complete.

so how does one pre-order one of these things than?



--------------------------------------------------

From: "Sean Stephens" <sean(at)stephensville.com>

Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 3:00 PM

To: <rv10-list(at)matronics.com>

Subject: Re: 406mhz ELT Prices



[quote] 



  Here ya go...



 http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/elt406.php



 On 10/6/10 4:43 PM, davidsoutpost(at)comcast.net wrote:

> Tim,

> Any pricing on this ELT?  I can't seem to find it anywhere on their 

> website.

>

> David Clifford

>

> RV-10 Builder

> 65% Done-95% To Go

> N849RV (reserved)

>

> ---

n801bh(at)netzero.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 3:23 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

Personally I would hold off till they perfect the whole concept.. As we all know there have been several high profile plane crashes in Alaska this summer. To the best of my knowledge all of those aircraft were fitted with the 'new' latest and greatest 406 units. Not one worked as advertised and helped in saving anyone. My money is on the PLB's and SPOTs. IMHO. 

do not archive

Ben Haas

N801BH

www.haaspowerair.com



--------

Tim Olson

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2879

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 4:22 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

Some vendors were preordering for a period.  I got mine from Dallas Avionics.

Tim

On Oct 6, 2010, at 6:10 PM, "Pascal" <rv10builder(at)verizon.net> wrote:

[quote] 

 link says :

 Undergoing certification testing, ACK is not accepting orders for the E-04 until ELT certification process is complete.

 so how does one pre-order one of these things than?

 --------------------------------------------------

 From: "Sean Stephens" <sean(at)stephensville.com>

 Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 3:00 PM

 To: <rv10-list(at)matronics.com>

 Subject: Re: 406mhz ELT Prices

> 

> 

> Here ya go...

> 

> http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/elt406.php

> 

> On 10/6/10 4:43 PM, davidsoutpost(at)comcast.net wrote:

>> Tim,

>> Any pricing on this ELT?  I can't seem to find it anywhere on their website.

>> 

>> David Clifford

>> 

>> RV-10 Builder

>> 65% Done-95% To Go

>> N849RV (reserved)

>> 

>> ---

Tim Olson

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2879

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 4:58 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

I disagree as to holding off.  If you hold off, you should expect

it to be YEARS before there is anything for improvement...probably

many years, as by now, most manufacturers have something on the

market and they will be unlikely to expand the models they offer

by much.  ACK has proven that getting one through the paperwork

alone is a couple years.  A PLB and SPOT I think are great things.

That's why I'd recommend one of those, too.  If I have to ditch

in the ocean, I'd rather have a PLB...one that is waterproof and

I can take with me while the plane sinks.  So there is a place

for them....in survivable accidents.  On the bahamas trip, I

fastened mine to my life vest.



But for the unconcious factor, and more, I think that the

aircraft mounted ELT's really are a good thing and should

be mandatory.  And, 406's will likely be better than the

121.5's.  The flaw I see with them is one of the same

reasons I don't care much how my antenna is mounted horizontally...

You never know which way is up in the wrecked plane.  And

you never know which way the antenna will need to be

exposed.  In at least one of those recent crashes, I heard

the reason it didn't work is the plane was too ripped apart.

Well, that's a problem with having an ELT mounted to one

part of the fuselage, and the antenna mounted to another.

Those 2 things need to stay together.  So I think it would

make more sense to have non-optimal antenna placement

perhaps, but have it be more guaranteed that both the

ELT and antenna will stay together.  If they could

make that more reliable, the ELT's would probably be

more reliable too.



Is the lack of perfect reliability a reason not to buy one?

I don't think so...I think that's a reason to cover your

butt and buy a 406Mhz GPS integrated ELT *AND* a PLB....and

then I always have my APRS running, too.



Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD

do not archive

On 10/6/2010 6:20 PM, n801bh(at)netzero.com wrote:

[quote] Personally I would hold off till they perfect the whole concept... As we

 all know there have been several high profile plane crashes in Alaska

 this summer. To the best of my knowledge all of those aircraft were

 fitted with the 'new' latest and greatest 406 units. Not one worked as

 advertised and helped in saving anyone. My money is on the PLB's and

 SPOTs. IMHO.



 do not archive

 Ben Haas

 N801BH

 www.haaspowerair.com



 --------

rv10builder(at)verizon.ne
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 5:53 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

I can see holding off as well, but mainly for a decrease in prices. I don't 

see mandating a 406 in the aircraft however. Tim gives an example of no 

guarantee it will even send a signal in a bad accident.

As a CAP member I know we only respond to reports from planes flying 

overhead to 121.5. We haven't seen all that many 406 alarms, when we do they 

are boats sitting in a dock.

With that said here is a perspective from AOPA- 

http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/elt.html

At $159 for a 121.5 ELT at Spruce, that gives limitations of being rescued 

as Tim mentions , even ACK's 406 at high $500 is a huge gap. It's like 

insurance; you can invest in the more expensive option now and "hope" you 

don't need it but when out in a remote area and go down be glad (although 

Alaska seems to fit this scenario and we know what that means for a 406 in 

an aircraft)

My CAP members think I'm nuts to consider a 121.5 and use a PLB but for the 

money this seems to be the smartest option for now because I know the PLB 

will stay with me if I leave the aircraft at the top of the snow peaked 

mountain and hence a better chance of survival.

If pricing was closer between the two I would go the 406 route, no doubt, 

but I question if it's really worth the "investment". With the SPOT I can 

give status reports too so assuming I do lose consciousness and never hit 

the emergency button, family and authorities have my track to follow into 

the general area. We located a hiker this way last week so unlike the Alaska 

accident we know this works.

Many options and many reasons to chose one over another but I'm with Tim get 

the PLB regardless of which ELT you get/have.

Pascal

--------------------------------------------------

From: "Tim Olson" <Tim(at)myrv10.com>

Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 5:55 PM

To: <rv10-list(at)matronics.com>

Subject: Re: 406mhz ELT Prices

[quote] 

 I disagree as to holding off.  If you hold off, you should expect

 it to be YEARS before there is anything for improvement...probably

 many years, as by now, most manufacturers have something on the

 market and they will be unlikely to expand the models they offer

 by much.  ACK has proven that getting one through the paperwork

 alone is a couple years.  A PLB and SPOT I think are great things.

 That's why I'd recommend one of those, too.  If I have to ditch

 in the ocean, I'd rather have a PLB...one that is waterproof and

 I can take with me while the plane sinks.  So there is a place

 for them....in survivable accidents.  On the bahamas trip, I

 fastened mine to my life vest.

 But for the unconcious factor, and more, I think that the

 aircraft mounted ELT's really are a good thing and should

 be mandatory.  And, 406's will likely be better than the

 121.5's.  The flaw I see with them is one of the same

 reasons I don't care much how my antenna is mounted horizontally...

 You never know which way is up in the wrecked plane.  And

 you never know which way the antenna will need to be

 exposed.  In at least one of those recent crashes, I heard

 the reason it didn't work is the plane was too ripped apart.

 Well, that's a problem with having an ELT mounted to one

 part of the fuselage, and the antenna mounted to another.

 Those 2 things need to stay together.  So I think it would

 make more sense to have non-optimal antenna placement

 perhaps, but have it be more guaranteed that both the

 ELT and antenna will stay together.  If they could

 make that more reliable, the ELT's would probably be

 more reliable too.

 Is the lack of perfect reliability a reason not to buy one?

 I don't think so...I think that's a reason to cover your

 butt and buy a 406Mhz GPS integrated ELT *AND* a PLB....and

 then I always have my APRS running, too.

 Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD

 do not archive

 On 10/6/2010 6:20 PM, n801bh(at)netzero.com wrote:

> Personally I would hold off till they perfect the whole concept... As we

> all know there have been several high profile plane crashes in Alaska

> this summer. To the best of my knowledge all of those aircraft were

> fitted with the 'new' latest and greatest 406 units. Not one worked as

> advertised and helped in saving anyone. My money is on the PLB's and

> SPOTs. IMHO.

>

> do not archive

> Ben Haas

> N801BH

> www.haaspowerair.com

>

> --------

Bob Turner

Joined: 03 Jan 2009
Posts: 885
Location: Castro Valley, CA

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 6:40 pm Post subject: Re: 406mhz ELT Prices

I think a PLB plus a useless but needed to be legal 121.5 ELT is a good compromise, except that it doesn't cover going to Canada or Mexico or, I guess, the Bahamas.



I haven't seen Ack's price list for replacement batteries, but I have seen some others. Some of these Li replacement batteries that I have seen have a price that will make you cry.

_________________
Bob Turner
RV-10 QB

jump2(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 6:50 pm Post subject: 406mhz ELT Prices

Now Ben, if you loose your engine, How long does it take to push that little button to get a signal out? If you slam into a mountain that's a whole different thing.

 The 406 elt gave me a whole  lot warmer feeling while flying over the mountains this summer, (with just one engine), knowing I could just press the button and someone would know that I needed help and where I was. I hope

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