Where I go and want to go cell phone reception is spotty at best, as in I need to climb a ridge to hope to get it.

I carry my cell because I have heard that they can triangulate your location even without reception.

The other thing is that with the membership within two to three years (not including tracking, comparing apples to apples) the cost will be about the same.

I have talked it over with my family and the tracking feature is not necessary (nice for multi-day trips) because with both if I am hurt then authorities can come to my rescue.

My biggest fear is that with the economy as bad as it is, will SPOT go under? whereas a PLB is monitored by the government and the military.

I think that I will wait a little bit longer and buy a PLB.