Guardian Beacon Wristwatch Transmitter

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T

travelem

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Has anyone tried this wristwatch SOS transmitter?

http://www.waterways.tv/products/pr...172&catID=177&subcatID=na&sscatID=na&mfrID=na

For recreational cruising or racing boaters, divers, personal water craft users, commercial or sports fishermen, in fact anyone who spends time on or near the water.

This lightweight, easy to wear waterproof, multi-function wristwatch has a built-in radio transmitter which when activated either manually or automatically, immediately transmits a distress tone on the international emergency search and rescue frequency (121.5MHz). The distress signal transmitted can be detected by a surface rescue vessel or helicopter, which can accurately home in to the watch using direction-finding equipment.
 
travelem:
Has anyone tried this wristwatch SOS transmitter?

http://www.waterways.tv/products/pr...172&catID=177&subcatID=na&sscatID=na&mfrID=na

For recreational cruising or racing boaters, divers, personal water craft users, commercial or sports fishermen, in fact anyone who spends time on or near the water.

This lightweight, easy to wear waterproof, multi-function wristwatch has a built-in radio transmitter which when activated either manually or automatically, immediately transmits a distress tone on the international emergency search and rescue frequency (121.5MHz). The distress signal transmitted can be detected by a surface rescue vessel or helicopter, which can accurately home in to the watch using direction-finding equipment.
Click to expand...

That looks like a great idea, other beacons that I have seen have been a bit on the bulky side since they need to be in housings. Does someone know if the frequency this operates on (121.5MHz) is the "new" standard frequency that they are trying to get everyone to go over to? (I have a suspicion that it may not be). Nevertheless, it is a step in the right direction at a price that doesn't seem at all unreasonable. Hope they come up with a unit that will go a bit deeper in the future.
 
The new standard is 406mhz.
I found some more info about the differences between a 406 MHz distress beacon and a 121.5 MHz only distress beacon.

http://www.equipped.com/406_vs_1215.htm
http://scs.student.virginia.edu/~brmrg/training/schedule/FTL - ELT.html
http://www.sailnet.com/collections/...ID=sexton039&coll_cat=Safety&Coll_name=Safety
http://www.equipped.com/faq_plb/default.asp?Action=Cat&ID=2

So my question is:
Is this watch a piece of junk or still useful within its limitations until 2009?
 
The 406MHz freq is for the Sat location (more for EPIRB). The 121.5MHz is for close in location for SAR.

Usually EPIRB's are bulky, and mostly not used by divers. More used for boaters. EPIRB's send a signal to a satallite that can pick up your signal anywhere in the world. If you have an EPIRB with integrated GPS they will also know your exact location which they'll pass thru to SAR. The search and rescue will look for your 121.5MHz signal for close in location. I think the personal locators have a 5 mile range to a aircraft and 1.5miles to a ship.

EPIRB's were not designed with divers in mind. I've seen waterproof cases for them, but they are pretty big. The personal locator devices (like a watch) are generally waterproof and could be used by a diver.
 
Thread from 2004, the company's web site seems to be dead.
 
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