I have a chance to buy an ELT (406/GPS) from these guys and although Spruce and others carry the product I can't seem to find any reviews. Does anyone have experience with the company?

I own one. I like the package, but haven't put it to a real-world test. I also haven't had any direct dealings with the company. I'd get it again though.

Bring a big checkbook. The ACK 406 beacon can tie into even a portable GPS, and runs $400 or so cheaper than the ELT unit. I contacted the ELT folks two years ago, when their unit first hit the market, because some of their advertising suggested that they are using a new design activation switch.....after some quizzing, it turns out that is not true, they still use the same activation switch as all the others, and that is the achilles heel of all ELT units, unfortunately.

It SOUNDS like a nice unit, but the price drove me off. And, my ELT did activate at one point (long story) and the GPS interface did work perfectly.

MTV

I too have one installed in my 185. I purchased and had it installed by Northern Lights Avionics at Merrill Field. When NLA installed my elt, they would not install it in the original location on the sidewall. They built a new mount under the extended baggage area on a real strong mount per the mfg. After several elts not activating due to becoming unmounted in crashes, the FAA made it mandatory to make the mounting more secure. Also it has a big sturdy boat style antenna that radiates to the sides. No wimpy whips to break off. I wanted something much more reliable than the old 121.5 elt and a spot when I flew my bird back south. My consideration was that I live in the backcountry of Idaho and 5 mins off the end of my strip is the middle of nowhere. I have a daughter that flys with me that is slightly handicapped. The thought of her being on her own after a crash with me dead in the wreckage terrifies me. I have heard some tales of children surviving wrecks to later die a slow death from exposure or being eaten by animals, so I want a response to a crash NOW! During the golden hour. Right to the meter or two if possible. We are most likely going to purchase a Delorme In Reach for this flying season as well. Yes, it wasn't cheap with the install and all, but its all water under the bridge at this point and payed for. I've never met anyone who survived a wreck wishing they had less safety gear. I'm a firm believer in BAS belts, cargo nets and good survival gear. End of rant! -YMMV-

I elected to go with the ACK E04 unit - which doesn't have GPS integrated in it. But you can easily wire in your portable GPS signal from a handheld or purchase a $70 Garmin GPS receiver that outputs the data that the ELT can read for GPS position. The ELT ELT is not worth the extra $400. It's a little heavier, too by a pound.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/oem/sen ... 27594.html

I looked into one of these ELTs. They are not yet certified in Canada, so not for me for now!

soyAnarchisto wrote:I elected to go with the ACK E04 unit - which doesn't have GPS integrated in it. But you can easily wire in your portable GPS signal from a handheld or purchase a $70 Garmin GPS receiver that outputs the data that the ELT can read for GPS position....

At the risk of diverging further off topic...

If you're going to go this route, Cumulus Soaring has a slick cable to allow a Garmin GPS antenna to be powered through the ACK ELT. I have this setup in my no-electrical system J3. Works great and has an LED that blinks to show when the ELT is getting good GPS data.

The p/n is "Cable-E04-DB9m-LED-12V-0.3". Google that and it should come up. Not cheap at $75, but it was completely plug n play.

Copied from Cumulus Soaring:

Cable, 0.3 m (11.8 inches), Cable for GPS data and 12V power for ACK E-04 ELT, By Goddard
The ACK E-04 can accept GPS data though its mini-DIN connector. It can also accept 12V power through the same connector. However, since the E-04 has no user-interface, the manual recommends using an external LED to verify that the E-04 is receiving GPS data. This cable is designed to allow the connection of GPS data and 12V power to the E-04 and it also includes a "GPS Status" LED built into the DB-9m connector. It has a female Mini-DIN connector for connection to the E-04's GPS/power connector. It also has a DB-9m connector for connection to a cable to go to a GPS. The pin connections on the DB-9m GPS connector are the same as the GPS side of a Goddard PS-5a power converter. The cable also has 12V power leads for providing power to the E-04 and also providing 12V power to pins on the DB-9m connector for powering the GPS (if necessary).
If you don't already have a GPS to connect to the E-04, the Garmin GPS 16x-HVS would work great with the E-04 and this cable. This cable would power the GPS 16x-HVS with 12V. Be sure to order the Garmin GPS 16x-HVS with a DB-9f connector.

Chris