Breitling Emergency...
Discussion
Ok,
After a wedding present from the Mrs and given that I seriously wedgedd out on the engagement ring there is a distinct possiblity she will offer me something niceish.. (thats the way these transactions go when you get married I'm told!).
Anyway, anyone tell me anything about these. I'm not a watch person in the slightest. I won't start a debate here as thats not the point of the forum and I'm a live and let live person - after all i drive a car thats been beaten with the ugly stick but I love it so who am I to question what captivates others!!!
I covet the emergency purely for the 'get rescued anywhere' practical gadget on board. I like my off piste skiing, planning to get into diving in the not too distant future, and I go flying occasionally with friends, sea fishing, mountain climbing (well in Scotland!) so there is at least technically the possiblity that I'll end up requiring it's services one of these days.
Of course I could buy a GPS, some flares etc etc and carry them everywhere with me, but I kind of like the idea of just having a watch that would just be 'there' should I ever need it.
Thing is - is it all marketing hype? Or do they really work. Have they actually ever saved / rescued / located anyone via these watches?
Bottom line - is it worth it, or am I just paying a hell of a lot of money for some jewellery that to be quite honest I'm not really going to appreciate, as well as a 25quid homing device I could buy from maplins?
After a wedding present from the Mrs and given that I seriously wedgedd out on the engagement ring there is a distinct possiblity she will offer me something niceish.. (thats the way these transactions go when you get married I'm told!).
Anyway, anyone tell me anything about these. I'm not a watch person in the slightest. I won't start a debate here as thats not the point of the forum and I'm a live and let live person - after all i drive a car thats been beaten with the ugly stick but I love it so who am I to question what captivates others!!!
I covet the emergency purely for the 'get rescued anywhere' practical gadget on board. I like my off piste skiing, planning to get into diving in the not too distant future, and I go flying occasionally with friends, sea fishing, mountain climbing (well in Scotland!) so there is at least technically the possiblity that I'll end up requiring it's services one of these days.
Of course I could buy a GPS, some flares etc etc and carry them everywhere with me, but I kind of like the idea of just having a watch that would just be 'there' should I ever need it.
Thing is - is it all marketing hype? Or do they really work. Have they actually ever saved / rescued / located anyone via these watches?
Bottom line - is it worth it, or am I just paying a hell of a lot of money for some jewellery that to be quite honest I'm not really going to appreciate, as well as a 25quid homing device I could buy from maplins?
I read that pretty soon the emergency frequency that they use will be changed - I'm not sure if you will be able to have the watches adjusted to the new frequency?
They are supposed to be for aviation emergency only, with the cost of any non-emergency rescue attempt being met by the owner (imagine paying for a couple of sea kings looking for you!). I'm not sure how you'd stand if you used it when skiing if you broke your ankle or something.
If the watch is unscrewed and the antenna taken out (a long wire) then the watch has to go back to brieting and (I think) replaced.
I'd quite like one but wouldnt pay much - I have seen a few used examples in the US fetching about £1200 though. I'm hoping to pick one up for pennies when the frequencies change as I think they are an excellent example of the ultimate tool watch.
They are supposed to be for aviation emergency only, with the cost of any non-emergency rescue attempt being met by the owner (imagine paying for a couple of sea kings looking for you!). I'm not sure how you'd stand if you used it when skiing if you broke your ankle or something.
If the watch is unscrewed and the antenna taken out (a long wire) then the watch has to go back to brieting and (I think) replaced.
I'd quite like one but wouldnt pay much - I have seen a few used examples in the US fetching about £1200 though. I'm hoping to pick one up for pennies when the frequencies change as I think they are an excellent example of the ultimate tool watch.
Maxf said:
I read that pretty soon the emergency frequency that they use will be changed - I'm not sure if you will be able to have the watches adjusted to the new frequency?
They are supposed to be for aviation emergency only, with the cost of any non-emergency rescue attempt being met by the owner (imagine paying for a couple of sea kings looking for you!). I'm not sure how you'd stand if you used it when skiing if you broke your ankle or something.
If the watch is unscrewed and the antenna taken out (a long wire) then the watch has to go back to brieting and (I think) replaced.
I'd quite like one but wouldnt pay much - I have seen a few used examples in the US fetching about £1200 though. I'm hoping to pick one up for pennies when the frequencies change as I think they are an excellent example of the ultimate watch for tools.
They are supposed to be for aviation emergency only, with the cost of any non-emergency rescue attempt being met by the owner (imagine paying for a couple of sea kings looking for you!). I'm not sure how you'd stand if you used it when skiing if you broke your ankle or something.
If the watch is unscrewed and the antenna taken out (a long wire) then the watch has to go back to brieting and (I think) replaced.
I'd quite like one but wouldnt pay much - I have seen a few used examples in the US fetching about £1200 though. I'm hoping to pick one up for pennies when the frequencies change as I think they are an excellent example of the ultimate watch for tools.
As I pilot, we monitor 121.5mhz on our second radio, really just incase we get intercepted somewhere due to some kind of radio confussion.
We often hear ELTs on the guard frequency and report them, I'm not sure what happens next.
I doubt the watches ELT would be strong enough to reach someone unless they were very low level and actually looking for them. A VHF signal is line of sight only so if you are stuck in some valley when skiing, it's not much use.
Don't the aircraft you fly in have their own, much more powerful ELB/ELT anyway?
I think they're a bit of a waste of money as a piece of emergency equipment really. Usually a mobile phone or the equipment on your boat or plane etc would be more use. As said, 121.5mhz is being slowly disbandened as a distress frequency and a new system using 406mhz called EPIRB that transmits your position to satelites is replacing it.
Have you ever been in a situation where you required a helicopter rescue and an ELT would have helped? If so then it won't do you any harm, especially if you conduct your activities in remote areas.
As for diving they're only water resitent to 30m.
I know that two helicopter pilots were rescued who were wearing them somewhere remote like Antartica.
If you like the watch buy it.
We often hear ELTs on the guard frequency and report them, I'm not sure what happens next.
I doubt the watches ELT would be strong enough to reach someone unless they were very low level and actually looking for them. A VHF signal is line of sight only so if you are stuck in some valley when skiing, it's not much use.
Don't the aircraft you fly in have their own, much more powerful ELB/ELT anyway?
I think they're a bit of a waste of money as a piece of emergency equipment really. Usually a mobile phone or the equipment on your boat or plane etc would be more use. As said, 121.5mhz is being slowly disbandened as a distress frequency and a new system using 406mhz called EPIRB that transmits your position to satelites is replacing it.
Have you ever been in a situation where you required a helicopter rescue and an ELT would have helped? If so then it won't do you any harm, especially if you conduct your activities in remote areas.
As for diving they're only water resitent to 30m.
I know that two helicopter pilots were rescued who were wearing them somewhere remote like Antartica.
If you like the watch buy it.
Edited by stovey on Thursday 21st June 18:06
Don't hold your breath for a bargain Emergency - the frequency change only affect SARSAT - more details in various other forums such as here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=3349...
mr_tony said:
Thanks chaps.
I guess bottom line is I like the idea of a nice watch, that is made of nice things and looks nice, but I can't justify it to myself if it's just a trinket, it has to perform some kind of function.
Is there anything else out there that is similar?
Don't get me wrong, if you're on the right kind of terrain and lost then your watch could save you.I guess bottom line is I like the idea of a nice watch, that is made of nice things and looks nice, but I can't justify it to myself if it's just a trinket, it has to perform some kind of function.
Is there anything else out there that is similar?
It does have the other added function of telling the time.
mr_tony said:
Thanks chaps.
I guess bottom line is I like the idea of a nice watch, that is made of nice things and looks nice, but I can't justify it to myself if it's just a trinket, it has to perform some kind of function.
Is there anything else out there that is similar?
I used the dual time zone of a Rolex GMT to justify my GMT purchase. Handy when I travel! If you don't like Rolex, there are plenty of really nice GMT automatics out there.I guess bottom line is I like the idea of a nice watch, that is made of nice things and looks nice, but I can't justify it to myself if it's just a trinket, it has to perform some kind of function.
Is there anything else out there that is similar?
steil said:
Don't hold your breath for a bargain Emergency - the frequency change only affect SARSAT - more details in various other forums such as here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=3349...
And you do know SARSAT is the only satellite network actively monitoring 121.5MHz? Once they stop, you'll have to rely on passing aircraft to hear your beacon which, as Stovey pointed out, is unlikely. As much as I absolutally love the Breitling Emergency (with a yellow face and black rubber strap specifically), I wouldn't get one.
I just got the Emergency Mission, same as this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-BREITLING-Emergenc...
It is a very big and heavy watch!!
PS im doing my flying training at the moment and I got the watch through a friend who is a Jeweller so didnt pay RRP!
It is a very big and heavy watch!!
PS im doing my flying training at the moment and I got the watch through a friend who is a Jeweller so didnt pay RRP!
Edited by mikereynolds on Thursday 21st June 22:07
Moose. said:
steil said:
Don't hold your breath for a bargain Emergency - the frequency change only affect SARSAT - more details in various other forums such as here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=3349...
And you do know SARSAT is the only satellite network actively monitoring 121.5MHz? Once they stop, you'll have to rely on passing aircraft to hear your beacon which, as Stovey pointed out, is unlikely. As much as I absolutally love the Breitling Emergency (with a yellow face and black rubber strap specifically), I wouldn't get one.
Having read the Breitling blurb the range of the transmission is something like 20 miles at 20,000 ft - so it's never going to reach a satellite network anyway from what it suggests so the fact the monitoring is changing will ahve no impact in theory...
Moose. said:
steil said:
Don't hold your breath for a bargain Emergency - the frequency change only affect SARSAT - more details in various other forums such as here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=3349...
And you do know SARSAT is the only satellite network actively monitoring 121.5MHz? Once they stop, you'll have to rely on passing aircraft to hear your beacon which, as Stovey pointed out, is unlikely. As much as I absolutally love the Breitling Emergency (with a yellow face and black rubber strap specifically), I wouldn't get one.
It probably would reach a satellite - There is nothing to stop the signal. The reason the 121.5 MHz system is being shut down and moved over to 406MHz is that it is nowhere near as capable. On 121.5, the satellite receiving the beacon must be in range of a ground station to transmit the signal onwards. It can only locate a beacon to about 20Km, and takes about 6 hours before an alarm will be raised. The accuracy is obviously better for a rescue helicpoter with direction finding gear aboard. This system will stop monitoring on 1st Feb 2009.
The new 406 MHz system can locate a beacon to within 2Km, and has a notification time of less than an hour. The satellites store the location and forward it when they get in range of the ground station. It can also identify an individual beacon, as they are all registered. The best type actually have a GPS receiver built in, that transmits their location directly.
The new 406 MHz system can locate a beacon to within 2Km, and has a notification time of less than an hour. The satellites store the location and forward it when they get in range of the ground station. It can also identify an individual beacon, as they are all registered. The best type actually have a GPS receiver built in, that transmits their location directly.
Was looking at getting on of these myself, I was going to buy it in Antigua where they are $3500 so in effect half price. The actual watches are pretty sturdy pieces of kit, my justification was that they as I do a lot of sailing ( 20000 miles, 4 transatlantics) then I could jsutify the expense.
However, when you consider that you can get an EPIRB for circa 450 pounds with integrated GPS they represent better value or you can buy a PLB (Personal Location Beacon) which still operate on 121.5 MHz for 300 pounds. You still cannot beat the inspector gadget gimmick of the function of the watch.
With referance to the poster above who mentioned the helicpoter ditch at the southern pole both aviators were wearing Emergency Watches and were rescured, brilliant PR for Brietling and no worry of the $20000 insurance you need in case of a false alarm. When purchasing them I was advised that you need passport etc....all quite serious.
Love the Minie Mouse watch....
However, when you consider that you can get an EPIRB for circa 450 pounds with integrated GPS they represent better value or you can buy a PLB (Personal Location Beacon) which still operate on 121.5 MHz for 300 pounds. You still cannot beat the inspector gadget gimmick of the function of the watch.
With referance to the poster above who mentioned the helicpoter ditch at the southern pole both aviators were wearing Emergency Watches and were rescured, brilliant PR for Brietling and no worry of the $20000 insurance you need in case of a false alarm. When purchasing them I was advised that you need passport etc....all quite serious.
Love the Minie Mouse watch....
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