PLB – KTI

Product Description

This is the KTI Personal Locator Beacon [PLB]. A PLB needs to be reliable and available when you need it the most. The most effective PLB is one that you have decided to purchase and have with you. If you think that a PLB is too expensive to be within your budget, think again. At less than $25 US per year to own, the KTI PLB is great peice of mind. Consider purchasing one for your children for Christmas to have in the car, taking camping and of course when you are on the water.

So why this review?

The KTI PLB is a small light weight PLB that fits easily in your pocket or around your neck. This device can be operated one handed which is critical when you are hanging on. The PLB has a 10 year battery life and is very accurate with up to 66 satellite positioning and better than standards requirements for update signals to satellite and device operational life when deployed. The PLB comes with a strobe as part of the unit and reflective mirror in the case if required.

SailorsAbroad have not received goods, services or money for this review. When it came time to purchasing a PLB, I took the time to review the specifications, performance and as many devices as I could find on the market. When you find a product that is in the top end of the performance requirements while also being on the low end of the cost market, then I could not go past this one. Most devices on the market have around a 7 year replacement battery life which costs significantly to replace. A PLB is generally replaced after 10 years. It was obvious that a 10 year battery with a 10 year life for the PLB results in the most cost effective combination.

This device operates in all countries.

Safety Tip:

Like all PLB’s, if you are stranded with a group of people that all have PLB’s, do not activate them all at the same time. Maximise your PLB operational time as a group and only activate your next PLB, when the first one has run out of power.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Frequencies: 406.040MHz and 121.500MHz (homing signal)
• Battery: Non hazmat LiFe02, 20 year shelf life, 10 year replacement
• Weight: 140g
• Size: 88mm x 64mm x 31mm
• Accuracy: Limited only by COSPAS-SARSAT system
• Approvals: COSPAS-SARSAT T.001 class II TAC 255, AS/NZS 4280.2
• Protocol: Programmable to all applicable COSPAS-SARSAT message formats
• Strobe: Greater than 1cd, 20 flashes per minute

GPS SPECIFICATIONS:

• 66 channel receiver
• 5 minute position updates
• accurate to 3.0m (CEP50)
• Cold start acquisition time < 35 seconds typical
• Chip style antenna design, highly resistant to detuning by nearby objects