Should You Buy A Spot Satellite Messenger Or PLB?

You may have seen the advertisements for the SPOT Satellite Messenger during episodes of "Survivorman" with Les Stroud.
The SPOT Messenger is one of a couple types of personal beacons that you can take along in wilderness hikes to summon help.
In the past there were just PLB's or mini EPIRB devices. EPIRB's are carried on sea going boats and on planes and they transmit a signal on 406 MHZ to government satellites specifically dedicated to search and rescue. The personal version of these devices or PLB's, cost upwards of $400 and can send a distress call from almost anywhere on the globe.
They do have one drawback though and that is that you cannot send any kind of message or undo the distress call once it has been made. These devices are extremely reliable though and because they are designed to government specifications are the only kind of satellite distress beacon allowed on commercial craft.
Hikers don't have the same restrictions though and are free to use devices like the SPOT Satellite Messenger. It utilizes the same satellites used for GPS and also has the capability to send one way text messages.
You have the ability to cancel a distress call if help is no longer needed or if it was accidentally sent.
(False distress calls on the EPIRB system may cost you a hefty fine or the cost of the rescue endeavor.)
Your family back home can even track your progress as you hike on a Google Maps based interface.
Unlike the personal locators or EPIRB's based on government systems the SPOT Satellite Messenger utilizes a privately owned response center in Houston Texas, along with other offices worldwide. If you were to send a distress call they would alert the US Coast Guard, land based SAR agencies or the American Consulate in the country where you send the alert.
The cost of the SPOT Satellite Messenger is about half the cost of other PLB devices however there is a small monthly monitoring fee (less than $7.00).
For an in depth comparison and more details about the SPOT Satellite Messenger try this article.... http://energyindustryphotos.com/a_guide_to_personal_locator_beac.htm