2nd hand ( used) PLB's - Any drawbacks?

I found a used spot locator beacon - other than re registering it, are there any other considerations? ( besides getting the right batteries)
Is there a way to test it?

Teacher

If it's a good price (the only reason to buy a used PLB imo), take possession, reregister and then send it to the manufacturer for a check-up and new battery(ies). My neighbor who took his small (for me) but well built sport-fishing boat to sea (blue water just west of here) received my first PLB after I upgraded to my ACR ResQLink. He reregistered and trusted me that it had not been activated. By now, the batteries have timed out.

Not being the trusting type, I'd send it in. $.02

How much for the new battery? That might make the difference between a deal and a not so gòod deal.

True, the total cost including shipping needs to be factored -- then there is the smaller/better/faster factor.

That said, if you already own one and it was good enough a few years ago, is the smaller/better/faster factor a compelling reason to upgrade? Buying a piece of kit like a PLB you need to keep in mind it's a piece of gear you hope to never use, but if you do decide you need it, there's no room for error.

For a SPOT (which is not a PLB) Which version? Do not buy the first Gen. Second is adequate, but wouldn't personally take anything less than 3rd Gen. (current version).

Just have to register it. Takes regular batteries.

As to an actual PLB, unless it's real cheap and fairly new, not worth it. Cost to replace a battery is generally more than half the cost of a new one.

I think its SPOT gen 2 - Why is it not a plb? I assumed it was...

SPOT is a satellite messenger that uses private industry communications satellites and a private industry emergency communications center. A PLB is a device that signals government-owned and operated satellites that are part of the COSPAS-SARSAT system. Signals are then sent to rescue coordination centers, which in the USA are operated by the USAF and USCG.

A PLB will work if it's registered, and there are no subscription fees. SPOT requires a subscription to operate.

Are there any FCC or other rules that require emergency signals from a Spot or InReach to be received similar to deactivated cell phones?

Inactive cell phones can still call 911 and emergency responders can still be sent. It is great to put old phones in various GO bags or 72hr kits. I'm wondering if Spot and InReach messenger systems that have inactive subscriptions could still send out there SOS signals and function like a PLB (have emergency response). Or would it just fall of deaf ears?

I'm nearly 100% sure that the answer to this is "no."

No.

Don't trust this until you verify. I have two older phones which will not complete the boot sequence unless they are activated or still activated. Verizon says fooey to the "inactive cell phones can still call 911" idea.