Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Next Generation GlobalFix™ iPRO Approved

by BW Media on 6 Sep 2008
GlobalFix iPRO SW
Fort Lauderdale based ACR Electronics has received FCC approvals and will soon begin shipping the GlobalFix™ iPRO, a patented, next generation 406 MHz EPIRB featuring breakthrough technology that makes it the first EPIRB in the world to offer an exclusive Digital Display Screen and Dual GPS capabilities.

The MSRP for the revolutionary EPIRB is US$1540 for a Cat I and US$1300 for a Cat II.

The Digital Display provides the user with a variety of important information both during operation and self-test. ACR integrated the Digital Display because the research and development team listened to customer feedback and understood that beacon users could benefit considerably from a digital read out.

When activated, the GlobalFix™ iPRO displays latitude/longitude coordinates on the screen for the user. If the endangered person has another means of communication, the lat/long data can be provided to rescuing parties. The screen can be very helpful during emergencies such as reminding the user of what to do to assure that the distress signal is sent and continues to be sent.

Even under conditions where it is difficult to get a GPS fix, for instance during a severe storm, the 406 MHz signal is always sent and the rescue satellite system will begin to extrapolate the location. Typically, internal GPS coordinates are acquired within the first 100 seconds of activation.

When activated, the Digital Display provides the user with reassuring tips on optimizing the use of the beacon and provides the following functionality during activation:
· It informs the user that the beacon is working
· It informs the user of his/her GPS coordinates
· It informs the user of remaining battery power
· It reinforces to the user the correct deployment of an activated beacon, such as 'Leave beacon on until ResQ' and 'Do not hold aerial'.

During a self-test, the Digital Display provides information about a self-test, including results of each test (pass/fail) and the final result of all the tests combined. These tests provide status reports on the 406 MHz signal, GPS acquisition and battery power, to name a few. It also advises on appropriate routine actions, like 'Send for service'.

The 406 MHz data is sufficient for the satellite to determine the location of an activated beacon. However, the benefit of having GPS coordinates sent along with a 406 MHz emergency signal is that such data enhances the 406 MHz signal and reduces the notification period, from approximately 1 hour to 15 minutes, and initial search radius, from 2.5nm to 100m, (COSPAS-SARSAT data). Thus, the inclusion of GPS coordinates is of significant benefit to the rescuee, as well as SAR organizations.

The Digital Display is housed inside of the GlobalFix™ iPRO top cap. It cannot be touched, bumped, pierced or otherwise damaged by an external force unless the entire EPIRB is destroyed. ACR Electronics has solved the challenge of liquid crystal displays and cold temperature operation. Even if the display were disabled, the EPIRB will still function normally.

The information on the Digital Display is an enhancement for the user, and does not require the user to interact with the beacon in order for it to perform.

The Digital Display lettering is fairly large, so most anyone can read it even without glasses or contact lenses. But if the user cannot read it, once activated, the GlobalFix™ iPRO will function without any other interaction. So, if the user needs to focus attention elsewhere during an emergency, the iPRO will take care of things on its own.

The iPRO is smaller and lighter, which saves a valuable commodity space - on a ship, boat or in a ditch bag. The iPRO relies on efficient and durable LEDs for the LED strobe. This means longer battery life and the ability to withstand shock and vibration. LEDs use notably less energy than a traditional strobe light, but, to the naked eye, there is no discernable difference in the light characteristics. ACR chose the LED technology to further conserve the battery.

The GlobalFix™ iPRO is loaded with high efficiency electronics that offer reliable performance, responsiveness and accuracy. It carries Class 2 batteries, which will allow the beacon to transmit for a minimum of 48 hours at -20ºC (-4ºF). The iPRO is powered by non-hazardous batteries, which eliminate shipping hassles – a real cost savings.

Its marine-tough compact, ergonomic design employs components that do more with less bulk. This equates into years of useful service. The GlobalFix™ iPRO is intended for worldwide distribution, i.e., for all ships that have carriage requirements for an EPIRB. Additionally, it may be sold to persons/ships that elect to carry an EPIRB.

An EPIRB is a satellite-signaling device of last resort, for use when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted and where the situation is deemed to be grave and imminent, and the loss of life, limb, eyesight or valuable property will occur without assistance.

All beacons must be registered.

About ACR Electronics:
ACR Electronics, Inc. (www.acrelectronics.com) a Cobham plc company, designs and manufactures a complete line of safety and survival products including EPIRBs, PLBs, SSAS, AIS, SARTs and safety accessories. The quality systems of this facility have been registered by UL to the ISO 9001:2000 Series Standards. To focus on this innovative technology, ACR has introduced a dynamic, new 'The Science of Survival' theme for its line of marine, outdoor, aviation and military products. Recognized as the world leader in safety and survival technologies, ACR has provided safety equipment to the aviation and marine industries as well as to the military since 1956 and the outdoor industries since 2003.

In Australia, the product is yet to be approved. Here are the following list of ACR products are approved for use:


Australia Approvals
 

Product Description Product Number
GyPSI 406 PLB, Personal Locator Beacon 2790
HemiLight, Lifejacket Light 3765 Bulk, 3765.1 Card, Manual  - 3766 Bulk, Auto
Personal Rescue Light, Water Activated Battery (L8-2) 3710.xxxx
Personal Rescue Light, Water Activated Battery (L8-3) 3720.xxxx
RapidFix™ 406 Satellite EPIRB w/ GPS Interface:
   Communication Authority
   Maritime Safety Authority
2776 Cat I, 2777 Cat II
Satellite2 406™ EPIRB:
   Communication Authority
  
Maritime Safety Authority
2774 Cat I, 2775 Cat II
Satellite 406 EPIRB Category II   (RLB-28) 2758 Class 2, 2759 Class 1
Man-Overboard Strobe Light, Auto Activated, (SM-2) 3940

  General Aviation  
  General Aviation  
  General Aviation  
 
 
 
 
  Marine
  Marine
  Marine
 
 
 
 
  Gov/Military  
  Gov/Military  
  Gov/Military  
 
 
 
 
  Other  
  Other  
  Other  
 
 
 
 
  Outdoor
  Outdoor
  Outdoor
  International  
  International  
  International  
 
 
 
 
  US
  US
  US
 
 
 
 
  Wholesale
  Wholesale
  Wholesale
  International
  International
  International
 
 
 
 
  Locate by US zip  
  Locate by US zip
  Locate by US zip
 
 
 
 
  US
  US
  US
 
 
 
 
  Wholesale
  Wholesale
  Wholesale
  International
  International
  International
 
 
 
 
  US
  US
  US
 
 
 
 
  Wholesale
  Wholesale
  Wholesale
  About ACR
  About ACR
  About ACR
 
 
 
 
  Approvals
  Approvals
  Approvals
 
 
 
 
  Employment opportunities
  Employment opportunities
  Employment opportunities
 
 
 
 
  FCC licensing
  FCC licensing
  FCC licensing
 
 
 
 
  Find ACR
  Find ACR
  Find ACR
 
 
 
 
  Glossary
  Glossary
  Glossary
 
 
 
 
  Hazmat MSDS sheets
  Hazmat MSDS sheets
  Hazmat MSDS sheets
 
 
 
 
  Links
  Links
  Links
 
 
 
 
  President's message
  President's message
  President's message
 
 
 
 
  Press page
  Press page
  Press page
 
 
 
 
  Rescue stories
  Rescue stories
  Rescue stories
 
 
 
 
  Shows
  Shows
  Shows
  Aviation
  Aviation
  Aviation
 
 
 
 
  Marine
  Marine
  Marine
 
 
 
 
  Military
  Military
  Military
 
 
 
 
  Outdoor
  Outdoor
  Outdoor
 
 
 
 
  Discontinued  
  Discontinued  
  Discontinued  
 
 
 
  AeroFix P-ELT
  AeroFix P-ELT
  AeroFix P-ELT
 
 
 
 
  Direction Finder
  Direction Finder
  Direction Finder
 
 
 
 
  Personal Lights
  Personal Lights
  Personal Lights
 
 
 
 
  Signaling/Survival Products
  Signaling/Survival Products
  Signaling/Survival Products
  406 MHz EPIRBs
  406 MHz EPIRBs
  406 MHz EPIRBs
 
 
 
 
  AquaFix P-EPIRB
  AquaFix P-EPIRB
  AquaFix P-EPIRB
 
 
 
 
  Bridge Electronics
  Bridge Electronics
  Bridge Electronics
 
 
 
 
  Crew-Overboard/Marker Lights
  Crew-Overboard/Marker Lights
  Crew-Overboard/Marker Lights
 
 
 
 
  Crew Overboard System
  Crew Overboard System
  Crew Overboard System
 
 
 
 
  GMDSS VHF Radios
  GMDSS VHF Radios
  GMDSS VHF Radios
 
 
 
 
  Personal Incandescent Lights
  Personal Incandescent Lights
  Personal Incandescent Lights
 
 
 
 
  Personal Strobe Lights
  Personal Strobe Lights
  Personal Strobe Lights
 
 
 
 
  Search and Rescue Transponder
  Search and Rescue Transponder
  Search and Rescue Transponder
 
 
 
 
  Searchlights
  Searchlights
  Searchlights
 
 
 
 
  Signaling Products
  Signaling Products
  Signaling Products
 
 
 
 
  Survival Products
  Survival Products
  Survival Products
  All  
  All  
  All  
  Direction Finder
  Direction Finder
  Direction Finder
 
 
 
 
  Personal Lights
  Personal Lights
  Personal Lights
 
 
 
 
  Signaling/Survival Products
  Signaling/Survival Products
  Signaling/Survival Products
 
 
 
 
  TerraFix PLB
  TerraFix PLB
  TerraFix PLB
  Register online:
  Register online:
  Register online:
 
 
 
 
  Get forms  
  Get forms  
  Get forms  
 
 
 
 
  Register warranty  
  Register warranty  
  Register warranty  
 
 
 
 
  Why Register?  
  Why Register?  
  Why Register?  
  USA
  USA
  USA
 
 
 
 
  Canada
  Canada
  Canada
  AIS FAQs
  AIS FAQs
  AIS FAQs
 
 
 
 
  Battery Replacement Center
  Battery Replacement Center
  Battery Replacement Center
 
 
 
 
  Product Support manuals
  Product Support manuals
  Product Support manuals
 
 
 
 
  EPIRB testing
  EPIRB testing
  EPIRB testing
 
 
 
 
  Software downloads
  Software downloads
  Software downloads
 
 
 
 
  Technical Bulletin
  Technical Bulletin
  Technical Bulletin

Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst GT 1456x180px BOTTOMDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px_SY BOTTOMPredictWind - GO! exec 728x90 BOTTOM

Related Articles

SP80 kiteboat reaches a top speed of over 58 knots
100 km/h barrier is smashed in Leucate The SP80 kiteboat has reached a top speed of over 58 knots, or 108 km/h. This new personal best makes SP80 the second fastest sailboat ever recorded, behind Vestas Sailrocket II and its 68.01-knot top speed.
Posted today at 10:04 am
Italian SailGP Team acquired by investors
The consortium includes Hollywood royalty, Anne Hathaway SailGP has today announced that the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, has officially been acquired by a consortium of accomplished investors and sports industry leaders, including Hollywood royalty, Anne Hathaway.
Posted today at 8:53 am
Armstrong Foils: On tour - Home of Armstrong II
Join America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders on the tour of NZ's Far North Join three times America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders Olivia Jenkins, Naumi Eychenne, Bowien van der Linden, Cash Berzolla, and Reo Stevens, on the Home of Armstrong Tour II, as they explore NZ's Far North.
Posted today at 4:46 am
America's Cup entries open on Sunday
A Cup in turmoil - has Grant Dalton dodged a bullet with the new Cup organisation? America's Cup gets underway in Rome with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. Emirates Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton apprears to have dodged a bullet with the formation of of new AC organising body.
Posted on 26 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 26 May
Kai Marks Dasent completes 38.1nm fundraising sail
Raising Funds for Union Island Secondary School and Vincy Sailing On Saturday, May 24th, 14-year-old sailor Kai Marks Dasent completed an impressive solo sail from his home St. Vincent to Union Island, covering 38.1 nautical miles in 6 hours and 3 minutes, with an average speed of 6.3 knots.
Posted on 26 May
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta preview
Sørvind to debut at this edition, in Sardinia The Mediterranean superyacht racing season will kick off on 27th May with the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, organised annually by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda since 2008 and supported by title sponsor Giorgio Armani since 2022.
Posted on 26 May
J/105 NE*NE blitzes Elite Keel Regatta
Tim Russell's super hot and quick NE*NE team rolled to a fairly easy win The San Francisco YC hosted its annual springtime favorite event, the Elite Keel Regatta- for a huge fleet of twenty-six J/105s.
Posted on 25 May
Edlu Distance Race at Larchmont Yacht Club
One of the "must-do" events on western Long Island Sound Last weekend, Larchmont Yacht Club held its EDLU Distance Race, the first of the major offshore races that take place on Long Island Sound all summer long.
Posted on 25 May
Winning Sails for Every Sailor & Every Program
Beer cans or the big leagues, North Sails perform From one design sails to custom inventories, trust the experts at North Sails to elevate your performance.
Posted on 25 May