www.iska.ie

Hi all

I want a VHF
I want a GPS with maps
I want sea Charts
do i need what eperb or personal locator??/


ADVICE please. what do i get??

Depends on what you want to do. My own choice would be a good vhf and charts. This is more than adewquate for the coastal paddling that I do.
Epirbs unless you get the best direct satellite linked to rescue services I would be dead from hypothermia by the time the services are raised my details checked and other bureaucracy dealt with. Even in a good dry suit and fleeces the real survival time in the water is a lot less than 2 hours. I appreciate these statements are open to challenge and are a generalisation. There are exceptions depending on personal factors both physical and pschological.
An acquaintance of mine fell overboard from a trawler off the Hebrides and was inside the helicopter within 11 minutes ; spoke to his rescuers but died before they got him to hospital. He did not have immersion clothing of any sort.
I know it is depressing but the real survival rates for extended periods of immersion in cold water are not good no matter how well dressed we are unlesss it is a total insulation survival suit with all the bells and whisles.
During a level 4 training event a few years ago, after a fairly intense day\'s training I tried to do an all in rescue with my buddy. After 10 minutes in the water I was very aware of how quickly I was losing energy and the ability to do things to help myself. I had a sry suit and good fleecec including a cap.
The moral of the story for me is stay in the kayak.
I will keep my thoughts on GPSs to myself.

Happy Christmas everyone.

Martin Guilfoyle

Check out http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS. ... visionID=3
as a compromise, it is a handheld GPS that is GMDSS enabled so getting closer to an EPIRB, also has an inbuilt GPS. GPS screen small as really only present for GMDSS feature, but navigation possible on it, i.e. waypoints, etc. I would agree with Martin on staying in boat, and importance of clothing for safety.

The Garmin range of GPSmaps are good, e.g. GPSMAP76CSX (now old), etc, screen are small, but easy to use, Other makes like satmap also available but not as user friendly but they do have a larger display, some makes and models also float.

Geo

Spend a little, spend a lot, it all comes down to money and how deep your pockets are.

I have an Icom m33 for the last 4 years and it serves me very well. M33 or M35 are later models and you are talking up to €200 for the newer edition. As well as safety, it is great for communicating with the group on the water.

I have a relatively cheap GPS - Garmin Etrex Legend. Use it occasionally and more often to track my route and general stats. It will get me home if the crap hits the fan and visibility deteriorates. For the most part, maps and compass are the preferred option. My Garmin is backup only - assuming the batteries don\'t die as Martin might point out

I would think an eperb is a consideration if you are planning distant trips, off shore and alone, otherwise I am not sure i would bother myself. The two items above will allow me communicate with rescue services and give me my location. Geo\'s Standard radio suggestion seems to cover both in the one unit.

OSI maps are a cheap alternative to charts, unless again you are in difficult waters and/or you need more information about the area you are planning to paddle.

My tuppence worth, assuming you have maps/compass, concentrate on a good radio. For me, it has been a best buy.

Post edited by: conorsmith, at: 2012/12/15 16:22