In reply to gilliesp:
I wouldn't really compare sat messenger (Spot/Garmin/...) with a PLB - both serve somewhat different purposes.
PLB is "only" rescue. Activate and wait. Great and optimised for that. For emergency, life threatening situations, it's great. But a lot of situations you might get into are more nuanced - which is where a two-way comms can be really helpful.
For example, we had a casualty in our group at a somewhat remote trip (at a dodgy national border, no cell service, SAR possible from two countries with no clear jurisdiction who would get there since the access was much easier from the exact other side of the border). Communicative casualty, fortunately, and finally able to extract him under own power (with some difficulties) to area with cell coverage and possibility of medical evacuation by car. We discussed using the Spot we had (which functions somewhat like a PLB, that it is not a two-way channel, you just send an SOS signal via sats), but decided not to in the end. It was just easier to extract him ourselves than wait at the place for help that could take a very long time without knowledge when and what would come. I guess it would be the same with a PLB, since you can't communicate with the SAR via PLB. If it was a two-way device (InReach/SpotX/Sat phone), a much better rescue could have been provided. PLBs and SOS type devices are great for the last resort situations, but a two-way SAT device can be more helpful with communicating the exact needs of a more nuanced rescue...
If you are put off by the SAT plans and prices, there are flexible plans for some devices (more for the Garmin, I think) that you can activate just for the trip (1 month). There are even other operators with different service plans, that you can look up. It's somewhat like virtual mobile provides. IIRC there is a German one for Garmin that offers different pricing and payment options, that might be more suitable for only occasional use.
Post edited at 01:07