I'm a little suspect of this article given an inconsistency in the first paragraph. I've worked with the original SPOT and own a SPOT 2 and the manufacturer recommends using only lithium non-rechargeable batteries and my unit came with Energiser Ultimate Lithiums. That is because they produce longer consistent power and have an extreme shelf life. Rechargeable batteries are not recommended. If the hiker had just purchased the SPOT 2 earlier in the week, then he should have been using the batteries that came with the unit which do not need to be charged nor should you attempt to charge them. So that is likely not why the SPOT 2 stopped sending updates -- which is incidentally something I would like to know.

I like the check in features of the SPOT 2, but given a choice in a life or death situation, I would definitely take my PLB instead. If you are not in the position to afford either, many companies that rent satellite phones also rent PLBs at very reasonable prices.