[gasman]

I’ve also been using a PLB for the last decade. However, since I started on our local search and rescue team last year I’ve changed my mind.
One SAR deputy has several stories of it taking up to 6 hours from activation until the local SAR teams get a message that someone needs help. Then, it’s obviously several more hours before a team is mobilized and can get to the subject.
The SPOT seems better, the in reach is even better and a satellite phone is even better but it’s heavy and expensive . I’m looking at what happens with the combined in reach/Garmin gps combo. I think it’s the gpsmap66 but it’s fairly large and hasn’t had all the bugs worked out.
Right now I use Gaia as my gps platform and don’t go out solo so I don’t worry about having an in-reach.
Our SAR team uses the garmin 64 for wayfinding but we do have a couple SPOTS as radio reception can be difficult in some areas.
So if you were going to get a unit today I’d try to find a used in-reach as someone suggested.