PLB housing question and also opinion on them.

[Altamira]

I always carry my InReach Mini when diving in the Caribbean and similar locations because of its smaller footprint/case, and the increased boat traffic that could likely help with a rescue. I will add the ACR ResQLink View if diving in a more remote, challenging area (strong currents) where it might be more helpful as a primary PLB.

 

[lairdb]

Yeah I may have to. I was hoping someone made a case s specifically for these. I may design one and machine from aluminum worst case but id rather not

If you go down this road, please keep us posted; I have a ResQLink and a DryFob; works fine, but really bulky.

 

[lairdb]

I would also like to touch on something else here. I am going to get a ResQLink view for me. I ALWAYS dive w/ my wife, I wonder if it would make sense to get her something different for redundancy? Like the nautilus nextgen. Or i may just get her the same one I get and be done w/ it.

The use cases and utility for the PLB, the InReach Mini, and the Nautilus are all rather different, and depend on where you are diving. There is no perfect answer, and the best answer in one location is not always the best answer in another. I'd definitely go for diversity of approaches rather than redundancy.

Diversity, always. Select for different use cases, different failure modes, etc. I have a PLB, and wife will be getting an InReach (with service via Protegear).

Just make sure you cross-train regularly.

 

[tmassey]

Thread 'DryFob XL: Affordable Canister for PLB'

Jul 14, 2022

This is a review of the DryFob XL (https://dryfob.com/product/dryfob-xl-waterproof-plb-container/), a waterproof canister designed to keep items dry down to 100 meters or beyond, sized to contain PLB's and other such items of similar size.

This is somewhat long (surprise!). I start with a brief description of what I'm using it for, and other solutions I've tried. I've put subheadings in, so feel free to skip to the review details in the second post.

Why Is This Needed?

For many, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB: Emergency position-indicating radiobeacon - Wikipedia )...

• tmassey
• Replies: 58
• Forum: Dryfob

• 
• 

I don’t really have much to add to the review. I mean, it certainly long enough with pictures and everything…

And I use it as others have described: on my right waist strap, right next to my light canister. Works just fine.

 

[Seameadow]

Your ONLY choice then is the Garmin InReach Mini2; it i the only thing like that with a case made for it.
You know, you just might have to compromise on some of your druthers.

Just note if you are doing the Andeman sea as stated especially via Thailand, the InReach devices are illegal in Thailand and it is better to go PLB route. Some countries do not allow the InReach.

See the below link.

Countries Where inReach Devices May Be Regulated, Prohibited, or Embargoed | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

 

[tursiops]

Just note if you are doing the Andeman sea as stated especially via Thailand, the InReach devices are illegal in Thailand and it is better to go PLB route. Some countries do not allow the InReach.

See the below link.

Countries Where inReach Devices May Be Regulated, Prohibited, or Embargoed | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

To be clear, I was not and do not recommend the Inreach device as one's backup to a PLB; it's use case is too similar. not to mention the restriction in some countries. If you are going to have two devices, PLB plus Nautilus checks the most boxes....

My post re the Inreach Mini was simply to say it is the only satellite device with a built-for-purpose pressure case for diving.

 

[TT_Vert]

To be clear, I was not and do not recommend the Inreach device as one's backup to a PLB; it's use case is too similar. not to mention the restriction in some countries. If you are going to have two devices, PLB plus Nautilus checks the most boxes....

My post re the Inreach Mini was simply to say it is the only satellite device with a built-for-purpose pressure case for diving.

Yeah I would likely go w/ one that communicates via VHF for one of them. I think that makes sense, what do you think? Has anyone used a nautilus nextgen lifeline?

Just note if you are doing the Andeman sea as stated especially via Thailand, the InReach devices are illegal in Thailand and it is better to go PLB route. Some countries do not allow the InReach.

See the below link.

Countries Where inReach Devices May Be Regulated, Prohibited, or Embargoed | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

Thanks. I had no idea of this, with that said, Why would they ban satellite comms from the garmin inreach but NOT the ResQlink? In research, it seems people haven't ever had issues getting them through airports. I'd much rather get arrested and fined for using it and living than not having it and being lost at sea (Extreme, i know but it illustrates my point)

If you go down this road, please keep us posted; I have a ResQLink and a DryFob; works fine, but really bulky.

I opted not to at this point as the DryFOB XL I got to do some testing will work. I feel the machining costs (not including materials) would set me back more than this thing cost me. With that said, It is a bit bulkier than I would like. I may draw one up in CAD for others to have machined if they would like. It would just utilize a latching lid w/ an oring seal.

I always carry my InReach Mini when diving in the Caribbean and similar locations because of its smaller footprint/case, and the increased boat traffic that could likely help with a rescue. I will add the ACR ResQLink View if diving in a more remote, challenging area (strong currents) where it might be more helpful as a primary PLB.

That's my plan. One of us will carry a VHF one (maybe a Nautilus nextGen lifeline) and the other a satellite one. Just need to determine which to go with. I did buy a ResQlink view, not sure i'll keep it quite yet if there are better options for satellite comms

 

[rjack321]

Wow,,,PLB and also get a Halcyon life raft too. You might be floating for a while out there.

The H life raft hasn't been made in at least 8 possibly 10 years now

 

[lairdb]

Yeah I would likely go w/ one that communicates via VHF for one of them. I think that makes sense, what do you think? Has anyone used a nautilus nextgen lifeline?

Not used used, but carried; several of the liveaboards I've been on issue them to all divers. Love the compact-ness; wish a PLB maker would find enough market.

Thanks. I had no idea of this, with that said, Why would they ban satellite comms from the garmin inreach but NOT the ResQlink? In research, it seems people haven't ever had issues getting them through airports. I'd much rather get arrested and fined for using it and living than not having it and being lost at sea (Extreme, i know but it illustrates my point)

Canadian Gets Held By Indian Authorities For Carrying A Garmin InReach Satellite Communication Device

Before travelling to another country with your tech, it always pays to see how the local laws might affect you and the tech you carry. For example, some countries have restrictions on VPN usage or …

itnerd.blog

US doctor stopped from boarding at Puducherry airport for carrying satellite phone

A 32-year-old US-based ophthalmologist was stopped from boarding at the Puducherry airport for carrying a satellite phone.

www.indiatoday.in

PLBs are just panic buttons; satcomm allows the user to avoid censorship, tracking by national security agencies, etc. Not saying it's rational, but: their country, their rules.

I opted not to at this point as the DryFOB XL I got to do some testing will work. I feel the machining costs (not including materials) would set me back more than this thing cost me. With that said, It is a bit bulkier than I would like. I may draw one up in CAD for others to have machined if they would like. It would just utilize a latching lid w/ an oring seal.

Been down that same thought process; on my "someday" list is to model one up and print it to see if it would really, practically, be that much smaller than the DryFob XL.

That's my plan. One of us will carry a VHF one (maybe a Nautilus nextGen lifeline) and the other a satellite one. Just need to determine which to go with. I did buy a ResQlink view, not sure i'll keep it quite yet if there are better options for satellite comms

Proper research on this is still on that "someday" list -- but if I was okay with the DryFob XL bulk, I'd consider a VHF handheld carefully before I bought a personal Nautilus.

 

[TT_Vert]

Not used used, but carried; several of the liveaboards I've been on issue them to all divers. Love the compact-ness; wish a PLB maker would find enough market.

Canadian Gets Held By Indian Authorities For Carrying A Garmin InReach Satellite Communication Device

Before travelling to another country with your tech, it always pays to see how the local laws might affect you and the tech you carry. For example, some countries have restrictions on VPN usage or …

itnerd.blog

US doctor stopped from boarding at Puducherry airport for carrying satellite phone

A 32-year-old US-based ophthalmologist was stopped from boarding at the Puducherry airport for carrying a satellite phone.

www.indiatoday.in

PLBs are just panic buttons; satcomm allows the user to avoid censorship, tracking by national security agencies, etc. Not saying it's rational, but: their country, their rules.




Been down that same thought process; on my "someday" list is to model one up and print it to see if it would really, practically, be that much smaller than the DryFob XL.


Proper research on this is still on that "someday" list -- but if I was okay with the DryFob XL bulk, I'd consider a VHF handheld carefully before I bought a personal Nautilus.

Yep, 3D printing would be my first test. It would certainly be thinner, likely not much shorter or narrower. The thinness is what I'm after. But at the end of the day, I can also put a whistle and a mirror in the XL dryfob now. I guess I could also get a VHF radio. I wonder if they make a small one that is >1W? Reading this makes me think VHF radios in general isn't a great idea in this use case.

Dave