The "non-mounted" 406 / GPS units (ACR Aquafix, Terrafix, Aerofix) can be
had for $500 after rebate. Useful for other activities too and fits on
parachute harness. Yup, you gotta be conscious to push the buttons.

The built in, G-force activated 406 ELTs remain pricey, even without built
in GPS, though prices will come down I'm sure.

The track record for G-force activated ELTs has not been great. Lots of
false activations and many actual accidents where the ELT has failed to go
off.

For now, I'm flying with my ACR Aquafix and holding off changing out the 121
ELT in my power aircraft until I'm forced to do so or until the prices get
reasonable. If I needed a fixed ELT, there's no way I'd buy a 121.5 now.

http://www.theepirbstore.com/ was good to deal with and offered the best
prices when I purchased mine. I'd call them land-line though, and ask if
they are still offering pilot discounts (the phone price was even lower than
their advertised price a year ago).

bumper


"T o d d P a t t i s t" wrote in message
...
Surfer! wrote:

The following is worth reading. A GPS-equipped 406 MHz ELT is said to
be accurate to less than 100 yards, without to 1-3 nm. Elsewhere on the
site it mentions that processing of 121.5 MHz & 243 MHz beacons are
ceasing on 1st Feb 2009. If I was buying that would push me towards a
406 MHz ELT.

I have yet to talk to anyone who has purchased the GPS
equipped version of a 406 MHz ELT. How much are they? If
the non-GPS version is only 1-3 nm accurate I'd go for the
mounted non-GPS 406 unit over a personal non-GPS due to the
1) better antenna 2) higher capacity battery and 3) impact
activation. If I was buying the GPS version, the question
is closer, but I'd still lean towards the mounted version.




http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/406vs121....20elt%20121.5%
20406%20comparison%22

--
T o d d P a t t i s t - "WH" Ventus C
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)