PLB or not
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- Posts: 30
- Joined: Sun May 25, 2014 12:43 pm
- Kayak Make: Viking
- Kayak Model: Reload
- VHF Call Sign: ZMW7595
- Location: Auckland
Hi guys. Just got my first kayak and asking if a PLB is on the must list or settle for a VHF and cell phone. Any comments and suggestions welcome.
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- Limitless
- Posts: 1591
- Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 12:47 pm
- Kayak Make: Viking
- Kayak Model: Profish, Espri, 2+1
- VHF Call Sign: Limitless
- Location: Viking Kayaks, Matamata
- Contact:
It depends on budget and where you're most likely to paddle:
1. If on a tight budget and fishing areas with good VHF repeater coverage and plenty of boat traffic then a VHF radio is a good place to start to back up your suitably protected mobile phone.
2. If fishing areas without lots of traffic, especially if there's no repeater coverage to extend the range of a handheld VHF, then I'd prioritise getting a PLB.
A mobile phone with waterproof protection should always be carried, but just like the VHF I encounter lots of areas where coverage isn't good enough for it to be relied on as a sole means of raising the alarm. IMHO, if you can afford it prioritise getting a PLB. With these there's always someone listening out (via satellite) if the brown stuff hits the fan.
1. If on a tight budget and fishing areas with good VHF repeater coverage and plenty of boat traffic then a VHF radio is a good place to start to back up your suitably protected mobile phone.
2. If fishing areas without lots of traffic, especially if there's no repeater coverage to extend the range of a handheld VHF, then I'd prioritise getting a PLB.
A mobile phone with waterproof protection should always be carried, but just like the VHF I encounter lots of areas where coverage isn't good enough for it to be relied on as a sole means of raising the alarm. IMHO, if you can afford it prioritise getting a PLB. With these there's always someone listening out (via satellite) if the brown stuff hits the fan.
ZMS8574 LIMA INDIA MIKE INDIA TANGO LIMA ECHO SIERRA SIERRA - practised your phonetic alphabet yet?
The current fleet: Profish Reload, Profish GT, Profish 400 Lite
The historic fleet: too many to mention... the adventures since 1974 have seen lots of kayak carnage
Find me at Viking Kayaks in Matamata... you gotta love our sport!
The current fleet: Profish Reload, Profish GT, Profish 400 Lite
The historic fleet: too many to mention... the adventures since 1974 have seen lots of kayak carnage
Find me at Viking Kayaks in Matamata... you gotta love our sport!
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- Posts: 84
- Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2015 7:55 pm
- Kayak Make: viking
- Kayak Model: reload
- VHF Call Sign: ZMW6161
- Location: Te Aroha
I have both -handheld vhf and also a plb-vhf is good but don't have much luck with them when fishing behind islands etc so have the plb as a back up - always take it up bush aswell when hunting
- MikeAqua
- Posts: 3362
- Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2009 4:23 pm
- Kayak Make: Viking
- Kayak Model: Profish 400
- VHF Call Sign: ZMT-7387
- Location: Nelson
I carry all three as well. But the cellphone is mainly for convenience.JohnnyR wrote:I carry all three
I think it would be fairly hopeless in real emergency if I'm bobbing around without my kayak.
"No good story begins with a salad"
ZMT-7387
Viking Profish 400Stolen!! Yellow/Black
'Zespri' Viking Espri
Viking 2+1 Stolen!! Orange/yellow with scratch along one side
ZMT-7387
- B0ydie
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 11:04 pm
- Kayak Make: Viking
- Kayak Model: Profish 400
- VHF Call Sign: ZMW7673
Like jumboz i use a plb for hunting and kayaking i personally think it is a must have as it has next to no limitations when the brown stuff hits the fan and it is a great bit of piece of mind for the better halfJUMBOZ wrote:I have both -handheld vhf and also a plb-vhf is good but don't have much luck with them when fishing behind islands etc so have the plb as a back up - always take it up bush aswell when hunting
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Profish 400
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- Posts: 453
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2014 9:12 pm
- Kayak Make: Ocean kayak
- Kayak Model: Prowler 4.3
- VHF Call Sign: ZME2628
- Location: Haumoana
I carry a cellphone .... have a vhf radio and a plb. When it comes to safety I think you shouldn't skimp...get the best...when you consider how much we spend on the kayak.... getting set up and other essentials... Safety should be the first in the priority que.... Get one less flashy rod...dam I have officially become my parents 

- mikG
- Posts: 865
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2012 8:21 am
- Kayak Make: cobra
- Kayak Model: FnD
- Location: taradise
Id never go out on the kayak without a PLB. I have been pulled out of the water by chopper and it gave me a massive wake up. I think my life is worth the 500 hundy odd it cost to buy a PLB, hell, on a good day I reckon I'm worth twice that!
- Mental
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10204
- Joined: Mon Sep 29, 2008 2:31 pm
- Kayak Make: Stealth
- Kayak Model: Evolution 465
- VHF Call Sign: ZMS4156
- Location: Kaukapakapa
- Contact:
I too carry all three but it's time for a new battery on the PLB, it's either return the McMurdo FastFind for a $280 replacement or just buy a new one, looking at the RescueMe one, anyone had one for a while? Wondering how they have stood up to kayaking/saltwater/etc?
Phoenix Kayaks - Hornet
Stealth - Evolution 465
Ramco - Fishmaster 580 My BIG kayak!
...and the countless other kayaks I've owned
Stealth - Evolution 465
Ramco - Fishmaster 580 My BIG kayak!
...and the countless other kayaks I've owned
- Limitless
- Posts: 1591
- Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 12:47 pm
- Kayak Make: Viking
- Kayak Model: Profish, Espri, 2+1
- VHF Call Sign: Limitless
- Location: Viking Kayaks, Matamata
- Contact:
Hi Mental, I've not had any reports but have had a play with a demo version with cold wet hands (mimicking winter kayaking and being in the water). I found it too small and fiddly to operate and was constantly at risk of dropping it (unfortunately I'm getting arthritis in both my hands). I really like the compact size and light weight, but question whether I personally could operate it in all conditions. Would be worth having a play with a demo unit before purchasing.Mental wrote:I too carry all three but it's time for a new battery on the PLB, it's either return the McMurdo FastFind for a $280 replacement or just buy a new one, looking at the RescueMe one, anyone had one for a while? Wondering how they have stood up to kayaking/saltwater/etc?
ZMS8574 LIMA INDIA MIKE INDIA TANGO LIMA ECHO SIERRA SIERRA - practised your phonetic alphabet yet?
The current fleet: Profish Reload, Profish GT, Profish 400 Lite
The historic fleet: too many to mention... the adventures since 1974 have seen lots of kayak carnage
Find me at Viking Kayaks in Matamata... you gotta love our sport!
The current fleet: Profish Reload, Profish GT, Profish 400 Lite
The historic fleet: too many to mention... the adventures since 1974 have seen lots of kayak carnage
Find me at Viking Kayaks in Matamata... you gotta love our sport!
- Mental
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10204
- Joined: Mon Sep 29, 2008 2:31 pm
- Kayak Make: Stealth
- Kayak Model: Evolution 465
- VHF Call Sign: ZMS4156
- Location: Kaukapakapa
- Contact:
Thanks Stephen that same thought had crossed my mind about being "too small" just for the sake of being smallLimitless wrote:Hi Mental, I've not had any reports but have had a play with a demo version with cold wet hands (mimicking winter kayaking and being in the water). I found it too small and fiddly to operate and was constantly at risk of dropping it (unfortunately I'm getting arthritis in both my hands). I really like the compact size and light weight, but question whether I personally could operate it in all conditions. Would be worth having a play with a demo unit before purchasing.Mental wrote:I too carry all three but it's time for a new battery on the PLB, it's either return the McMurdo FastFind for a $280 replacement or just buy a new one, looking at the RescueMe one, anyone had one for a while? Wondering how they have stood up to kayaking/saltwater/etc?

Phoenix Kayaks - Hornet
Stealth - Evolution 465
Ramco - Fishmaster 580 My BIG kayak!
...and the countless other kayaks I've owned
Stealth - Evolution 465
Ramco - Fishmaster 580 My BIG kayak!
...and the countless other kayaks I've owned
- B0ydie
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 11:04 pm
- Kayak Make: Viking
- Kayak Model: Profish 400
- VHF Call Sign: ZMW7673
I have a kti plb and i find the use of it quitegood with cold fingers the process is very simple and the activate button and test buttons are large enough to easily find them in the dark.
i wear it on my upper arm
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i wear it on my upper arm
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Profish 400
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- Posts: 453
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2014 9:12 pm
- Kayak Make: Ocean kayak
- Kayak Model: Prowler 4.3
- VHF Call Sign: ZME2628
- Location: Haumoana
I also have a kti branded one and while not the smallest it's still I nice compact size and seems easy to use. It was reasonably priced, bought in Aussie but NZ coded and now NZ registered. I checked with NZ coastguard re specs and coding prior to buying. Longer battery life too I seem to remember.
- AndrewRawlingson
- Posts: 2418
- Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 10:03 pm
- Location: Northland
After a "lost at sea" incident a few years ago, not kayak/fishing-related incidentally, I bought a PLB straight away. You don't want to be floating in a big sea wishing you'd spent $500.
- PeterNZ
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Wed May 18, 2016 1:23 pm
- Kayak Make: Viking
- Kayak Model: Profish 400 Lite
- VHF Call Sign: ZMW9865
- Location: Kaitaia
- Contact:
AndrewRawlingson wrote:You don't want to be floating in a big sea wishing you'd spent $500.



This sentence alone should be answer enough to the question. A PLB is top of my list.
Cheers
Peter
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- Posts: 30
- Joined: Sun May 25, 2014 12:43 pm
- Kayak Make: Viking
- Kayak Model: Reload
- VHF Call Sign: ZMW7595
- Location: Auckland
Thanks guys for the info. I now need a bag for my iPhone 6s. It is in a hard case and won't fit any of the bags that I have seen. Any one help?
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- Posts: 1436
- Joined: Wed Dec 26, 2012 7:11 pm
- Kayak Make: Stealth
- Kayak Model: Fisha 500
- VHF Call Sign: ZMU5052
- Location: West Auckland
Lifeproof case. $100 or so, I'm on my second one. Due to my work and rough handling, clumbsy me, it has saved my phone several times. And no need for a dry bag, they don't float though,Divot wrote:Thanks guys for the info. I now need a bag for my iPhone 6s. It is in a hard case and won't fit any of the bags that I have seen. Any one help?
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