Just read this on one of the AVnews sites so thought I would pass it along.

gpsworld.com/acr-electronics-launches-new-locator-for-aviation/

I have one of the first ACR/Artex 406ME models--I've been a proponent of utilizing the 406Mhz technology from the time it became available, awhile before the satellites stopped listening for 121.5/243.0 ELT signals. In fact, I just sent an email to ACR this morning, asking about changing the Velcro retainer in mine to the stainless steel version shown in their pictures of the new one.

Cary

Where is the cheapest place to buy one?

Tim

While shopping you may want to have a look at Emergency Lifesaving Technologies 406 unit WITH GPS included.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/a ... ckkey=7340

Their unit comes with a 270 degree 406/GPS antenna. The unit runs off plane power while in the air which means it is continually getting GPS updates without having to wire it into your panel GPS.

For you rag and tube guys, consider mounting the antenna inside the "cage" (depends on what covering technique you used) which will protect the antenna in the event of an "incident". I figure if I am paying for this bleeping thing I want it to be able to talk to the outside world when I need it.

BTW, carry an ACR 406 PLB in my flight vest for a walk away.

TD

TomD wrote:While shopping you may want to have a look at Emergency Lifesaving Technologies 406 unit WITH GPS included.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/a ... ckkey=7340

Their unit comes with a 270 degree 406/GPS antenna. The unit runs off plane power while in the air which means it is continually getting GPS updates without having to wire it into your panel GPS.

For you rag and tube guys, consider mounting the antenna inside the "cage" (depends on what covering technique you used) which will protect the antenna in the event of an "incident". I figure if I am paying for this bleeping thing I want it to be able to talk to the outside world when I need it.

BTW, carry an ACR 406 PLB in my flight vest for a walk away.

TD

But for you Canadians, its not approved up here yet. Really wanted to put one in the 180, but no dice...

David

But for you Canadians, its not approved up here yet.

Pointer is a local Canadian option. I am not sure who else certified in Canada.

I actually had pulled the trigger on a Pointer unit until my IA pointed out that the GPS in the self contained units like Pointer don't start looking for the satellites until the unit is switched on, either by the panel switch or impact switch. I returned the Pointer and went w/ the E.L.T. unit.

I like the idea of the unit having the GPS coordinates when the Fit hits the Shan and I don't have to depend on the unit and its antenna being in a location or condition to lock up. I am paying big bucks to have something that will say "Come save my ass and I am HERE!". I don't want to depend on my ELT's GPS finding a lock from a position of poor satellite vision.

Since the E.L.T. type systems have a continuous GPS lock, as soon as you trigger the emergency switch it starts leaving "breadcrumbs" for the SAR systems and if you arrive at a place that you have no satellite view the SAR team can follow your last known position and trajectory.

Much like the SPOT bread crumbs many use.

Off soap box now.

The ACK is approved. I think most are approved up here, just not the emergency lifesaving technologies ones.

Since I'm on the verge of dumping all the rest of the money I need into the Stinson, I was going down my list and realized I hadn't thought about the ELT. I currently have and EBC G7. At a minimum I just need to get new batteries put in before I fly as part of the annual. But, the smart thing is to go ahead and upgrade to a 406MHz....though the cost sucks.

I saw ACK made a 406 that can replace the 121.5 versions by going in the same mounting tray. I don't see that EBC did that.

So what's the options out there for good pricing now days? I'm looking at that one linked above with the GPS in it right now, as in, I'm reading about it. Looks like it's possible it would swap right into the mount I currently have.

Tadpole wrote:Since I'm on the verge of dumping all the rest of the money I need into the Stinson, I was going down my list and realized I hadn't thought about the ELT. I currently have and EBC G7. At a minimum I just need to get new batteries put in before I fly as part of the annual. But, the smart thing is to go ahead and upgrade to a 406MHz....though the cost sucks.

I saw ACK made a 406 that can replace the 121.5 versions by going in the same mounting tray. I don't see that EBC did that.

So what's the options out there for good pricing now days? I'm looking at that one linked above with the GPS in it right now, as in, I'm reading about it. Looks like it's possible it would swap right into the mount I currently have.

The ACK 406 is perhaps the least expensive of the current crop of 406 units. It CAN be connected to virtually any GPS unit, to provide GPS coordinates to RCC at activation.

The ACK units will fit right in to an ACK 121.5 ELT tray, but if you don't already have an ACK unit installed, you'll have to do a full installation. And, the FAA has placed a lot of emphasis on meeting the structural mounting criteria spelled out for mounting an ELT. Frankly, a lot of ELTs installed in past simply weren't installed with sufficient structural integrity to ensure activation of the unit in the event of an accident, and in many cases, the ELT broke loose from its mount during the crash, and separated it from its antenna.

So, mechanics now are being leaned on by the FAA to verify good integrity of the mounts.

My old mount didn't cut the mustard, so when I went to install a 406 (an ACK) I had to remount the ELT, even though I was replacing an ACK with a 406 ACK.

If your mount is solid and it's for an ACK, the installation should be easy.

I just installed a new ACK in my PA 11, and I highly recommend these units.

MTV

No, I have an EBC and mount and I don't have a panel mount GPS and not sure I will ever put one in the Stinson, portable works fine for now. If I still have the plane come ADS-B time, my avionics money will go to that, otherwise I'd like to bring the radio up to speed....so money for a GPS probably not, unless I find something older with a radio built in for cheap.

Wife is onboard with me just going ahead and biting the bullet for a 406 since I'm in the rebuild at this point anyway and she likes the idea of that GPS version. I've not inspected my current mount recently, but I recall it met the new "focus" they're putting on us with them. If it's solid and good, I may just go with a 406 that will mount in my current tray if possible. Still reading about different products.

Tadpole wrote:No, I have an EBC and mount and I don't have a panel mount GPS and not sure I will ever put one in the Stinson, portable works fine for now. If I still have the plane come ADS-B time, my avionics money will go to that, otherwise I'd like to bring the radio up to speed....so money for a GPS probably not, unless I find something older with a radio built in for.

Read my post....the ACK 406 will connect to virtually ANY GPS, not just panel mounts. Mine was connected to a Garmin 396. You only need an NMEA output for it to work and most portables do.

And, again, the ACK is one of the cheapest if not the cheapest of the 406 units.

Finally, I'd bet that EBC mount doesn't meet the specs for mounting stiffness. If not, you're going to be building a new mount anyway.

MTV

mtv wrote:

Tadpole wrote:No, I have an EBC and mount and I don't have a panel mount GPS and not sure I will ever put one in the Stinson, portable works fine for now. If I still have the plane come ADS-B time, my avionics money will go to that, otherwise I'd like to bring the radio up to speed....so money for a GPS probably not, unless I find something older with a radio built in for.

Read my post....the ACK 406 will connect to virtually ANY GPS, not just panel mounts. Mine was connected to a Garmin 396. You only need an NMEA output for it to work and most portables do.

And, again, the ACK is one of the cheapest if not the cheapest of the 406 units.

Finally, I'd bet that EBC mount doesn't meet the specs for mounting stiffness. If not, you're going to be building a new mount anyway.

MTV

Ya MTV I read your post and saw the virtually any GPS, but I assumed only panel mount. I could've said Read my post too, I already said what ELT I had when you first replied.

I'll have to check on the EBC mount, it's pretty damned solid and reminds me of the mount that comes with the old ACK 121.5 units. I may be just gutting it all out and putting all new in anyway though, so it might be a mute point.

TP,

I installed a 406 ACK in Benders pacer during the rebuild.... Moved it from the baggage compartment to under the pilot seat so I can take advantage of the old brake master cylinder plate that is welded into the structure under the floor boards... More than strong enough for FAA standards... Otherwise I use adel clamps and mount to the tubbing...

It is a nice little unit and quite a bit lighter than the 121.. Even with the battery installed.... Comes with everything you need... Only thing I did not care for is the antenna coax is somewhat short and I had to make an extension so I could mount the antenna on the upper wing root panel...

Brian

K, thanks Brian!

I also have the ACK406 in my 180. Had the same unit in my Citabria. Worked well in the citabria, and haven't had to use it in the 180. Seem to be great units for the price.

David

I replaced the Velcro strap mount for my Artex with the newer stainless steel strap version, which uses an over-center latch (and which could even be more securely locked with a padlock or a clip if that was desired)--otherwise left it in the same avionics shelf the old one was on, using the same mounting bolts. The new mount was all of $35 from Aircraft Spruce.

When I finally heard back from Aircraft Spruce about a portable antenna for the ELT, however, it was outrageously priced at $206.95. That's only $73 less than an ACR ResQLink PLB--a much better way to spend a couple hundred bucks, IMHO. Since I have 2 ResQLinks, one a standard (in my survival vest) and one the flotation model, in the airplane already, I couldn't see spending the money on a portable antenna for the ELT. I told Spruce that I'd spend $55, but not $206.95. Gosh, no response to my offer!

Cary

Tadpole wrote:

mtv wrote:

Tadpole wrote:No, I have an EBC and mount and I don't have a panel mount GPS and not sure I will ever put one in the Stinson, portable works fine for now. If I still have the plane come ADS-B time, my avionics money will go to that, otherwise I'd like to bring the radio up to speed....so money for a GPS probably not, unless I find something older with a radio built in for.

Read my post....the ACK 406 will connect to virtually ANY GPS, not just panel mounts. Mine was connected to a Garmin 396. You only need an NMEA output for it to work and most portables do.

And, again, the ACK is one of the cheapest if not the cheapest of the 406 units.

Finally, I'd bet that EBC mount doesn't meet the specs for mounting stiffness. If not, you're going to be building a new mount anyway.

MTV

Ya MTV I read your post and saw the virtually any GPS, but I assumed only panel mount. I could've said Read my post too, I already said what ELT I had when you first replied.

I'll have to check on the EBC mount, it's pretty damned solid and reminds me of the mount that comes with the old ACK 121.5 units. I may be just gutting it all out and putting all new in anyway though, so it might be a mute point.

E
Sorry, my point was, and is, that the best bang for the buck is the ACK 496. The Emergency Lifesaving Technologies ELT, for example is a little over DOUBLE the price ifthe ACK. And, as I pointed out, the ACK will connect to about any GPS. You didn't specify which GPS you have.

But for the price of that E.L.T. Unit with onboard GPS you could buy an ACK and a decent portable GPS.

FWIW.

MTV

FWIW I have the ACK 406 installed in my 180 as well. Seems like a pretty good piece of kit for the price. Approximately a bajillion times more useful than the 121.5 ELT it replaced.

Ya that sounds like a good way to go. I have an Aera 510 and that looks like no problem on connecting it.