If you’re on the hunt for a high performing personal locator beacon for your off-the-beaten-path adventures, then KTI will have you covered with their Safety Alert PLB SA2GN. This device can pinpoint your location down to 3 metres, has a 66 channel GPS and will update your position every 5 minutes on the worldwide satellite distress network.
With a 10-year battery, you can take this device with you on all your expeditions without having to worry about the juice running out when you need it the most. It’s also saltwater and corrosion resistant to 3 metres – so it can withstand all kinds of conditions. Your PLB also comes with a whistle and a strobe light which are perfect additions to give you that extra help if you need it.
The SA2GN features an NFC tag which can provide information on the battery expiry date, HexID (UIN) and checksum to an NFC equipped mobile device through a web browser. With a KTI Safety Alert PLB SA2GN, you’ll have global rescue coverage – so you can head on your trip with peace of mind.
Do you ship to New Zealand? Can this PLB be pre-coded for NZ prior to shipping?
Hi, my name is Christian and I live in Sweden. I did a bit of research and found the KTI PLB is the only PLB with a 10 yrs. battery time. For this reason I would like to buy it. Here is Sweden is no dealer, so my first question: Do you ship to Sweden? And the second question: Is a first time registration in Sweden possible with this PLB? Thanks, Christian
G'day Christian,
Unfortunately, the KTI unit won't suit your needs, it is coded for Australian registration only, so you wouldn't be able to register the unit in Sweden. We'd suggest having a chat to your local outdoor store about PLB options that are coded for registration in Sweden.
Hello, I noticed that you mentioned in another answer that the KTI needs to be re-coded if you move overseas permanently. Would you know what is involved in such re-coding? Does it involve taking or sending the unit into a supplier in Australia somewhere? Or what happens if you don't re-register it and continue to use it overseas?
G'day Kim,
Essentially the coding of all PLBs is country-specific, with each country having a specific code for identification. If you own a KTI and relocate permanently overseas then you'd need to have your beacon re-coded in Australia by KTI before leaving. As far as we know they're only authorised to code these beacons for use in Australia & New Zealand, so there is no guarantee if they could code it for another country, e.g. the USA, that you'd be able to register it in that country. You can use an Australian registered beacon in any country as long as you have an Australian address and Australian next of kin. If you think you're likely to permanently relocate you might be better off looking at the ACR Resqlink units that can be coded for registration in almost any country worldwide.
I would like to attach to my life jacket but need to know if it needs to be in a water tight pouch while windsurfing
G'day Bob,
You could use this unit for windsurfing, they have an IPX67 rating (submersible to 3 Metres for 1 Hour), so as long as the unit is not floating below the surface for longer than an hour, it should be ok. (N.B. They do however state in the manual that the PLB was not designed, tested or intended for operation whilst in water).
Saw the video but it didn’t explain what the value of having NFC was not what checksum was?? Also can you send a simplified text with this device.
G'day Russ,
The NFC just gives you all of the information you need to be able to register your beacon. The Hex ID checksum is a 15 digit code that uniquely identifies your beacon, the ID has information that will help emergency services locate you and determine your nationality and next of kin. There is no option to send simplified messages with a PLB unit. The Spot units have this option but are not technically a PLB, but do have an emergency function.
So if you used it as someone in your group needed help then can it be reset for future use?
G'day Martin,
PLBs are a single-use item, once they've been activated for a rescue the battery will need to be replaced and the unit re-set. KTI Australia is able to provide details on battery replacements.
Is the weight in the description of the unit alone or of the unit plus the included accessories? Would be great if you could varify with a scale.
The weight is for the unit alone Heidi. The items that come with it have changed over the years so the total weight of what you buy would vary, but the weight of the unit has stayed the same.
Hello, does it come with the black armband cover shown in the 4th photo? If not, do you sell that cover? Also, the KTI website says “ Our Safety Alert products have been certified by COSPAS-SARSAT for use with their international satellite-aided system”, but you don’t seem to mention that, so I wondered if the “approvals in multiple countries” you mention for the ResQlink 400 is really an advantage? I don’t understand the difference, or whether they can both be equally used abroad in the 40 countries that are members of COSPAS-SARSAT.
G'day Bill,
Yes, the KTI currently comes with the black armband. We list the specification regarding the COSPAS-SARSAT under the Approvals section of the details and specs. Essentially the KTI can only be coded and registered here in Australia, so you can use it worldwide, and rescue will be initiated anywhere the signal can be picked up, but the product can only be registered with AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority). The ResQLink units are approved to be re-coded for registration in other countries. You only need to change the country of registration of the product if you permanently move countries. Please give us a buzz of you need any further clarification, but hopefully, this helps.
What's the cost of the battery replacement
G'day Peter,
If you need to replace the battery on your KTI PLB then your best bet will be to reach out to KTI for a quote. I believe the going rate is currently approximately $200, however, in 10 years time, this may well change.
How do you recharge the battery, if it's been on all day while riding...
G'day Peter,
The KTI has a Non-Hazmat Lithium LiFeS2 which is replaceable after 10years or after it has been activated for an emergency. It doesn't require recharging, nor can it be recharged. You can find the link to KTI through this link HERE which will provide more info.
Im just curious as to would this be good to send my parents away with when they do their big drive to camerons corner
G'day Tom,
Yes the Safety Alert PLB can be used anywhere on land with a clear view of the sky/satellite network. It is a good back up option should they find themselves in a life-threatening emergency when they're outside of mobile phone / radio reception.
The cost of twelve months registration and can it be put on hold when not in use?
G'day Clive,
There is no cost to register a Personal Locator Beacon with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Just head over to beacons.amsa.gov.au for information about registration and usage.
Is the SA2GN different from the SA2G?
G'day Anne,
The new SA2GN model has an inbuilt NFC tag which can provide information about the battery expiry, HexID (UIN) and checksum. Have a quick look at the great video that Jake has done where he explains this information.
Can the battery be replaced, or do you have to purchase a new unit?
G'day Alan,
The battery can be replaced, either after emergency activation, of every 10 years.
This is done through KTi onshore in Australia.
Hope that helps.