Anybody have experience with a SPOT or PLB in us in China

Spot works in Philippines and Thailand

China yes. India no.
Check the coverage map at Spot.
PLB works but who is going to respond?

Consider a Delorme InReach instead. More reliable than Spot.

Works anywhere in the world.

SOS

Tracking

Pre-programmed stand alone messages

Pairs with smart phone for custome send and receive text messaging to another InReach, any text capable cell phone, or email address. (No cell service required.) If smart phone is off to save power, Msg light flashes on InReach to let you know a message is waiting in que.

For aircraft use, provides tracking down to 1 minute intervals, location, altitude, bearing, and speed.

Uses Iredium network (like Sat phone and Spidertracks), but less expensive to purchase and plans are fairly reasonable too.

No affiliation . . . happy with mine.

bumper

Thanks Bumper

Bumper
Which plan did you go with? I do have cell service 96% of the time where I go and can text so thinking the basic for now for the tracking and emergency service thoughts???

Bighorn,

I started with the $25 "regular" plan that allows unlimited tracking (10 minute intervals) and up to 40 text messages a month. This was before they decided to also offer "aviation" plans with tracking intervals down to 1 minute. I recently switched to an aviation plan (the one that's $27 a month - - there are cheaper options), but I figured I hope I fly enough to warrant that.

The aviation plan counts all data use, tracking which doesn't consume all that much, and texting (which I don't do very much ). Nice thing is that I can change the tracking interval on the fly via the free app Earthmate on my cell phone (which also displays Delorme's free, w/ InReach, topo maps). For hiking 10 minute interval is good, 1 or 2 minute interval is better for flying unless one is just going straight long distance, then maybe 5 minutes would do as any search could simply follow your path - assuming no SOS was sent which would of course give an exact fix for SR.

Delorme is coming out with the new InReach SE tracker which is supposed to be avialable 1 April (no fools). It has a color screen so you can text without a paired smart phone. $300, is taller and skinnier than the original InReach. The SE will still pair with a smartphone and have all the other original InReach features.

bumper