EPIRB Battery Replacement

Definition:
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or EPIRB is used to alert search and rescue services in the event of an emergency.  It does this by transmitting a coded message on the 406 MHz distress frequency via satellite and earth stations to the nearest rescue co-ordination centre

Luckily s/v Honey Ryder came with an EPIRB.  In fact, it came with two.   An old, frequency model and a ACR Cat 2, Class 1 2777 RapidFix 406.  I say luckily because EPIRB's are expensive.  We have ours registered properly but other than that, we really haven't taken much time to mess around with it.  We just sort of checked that off the list and moved on to the next item.  Not the best idea as we don't really know much about how it works, testing, or if we even have a manual - after looking, we don't.

Recently when applying the latest registration sticker, we noticed the other sticker on the unit said it was time for battery replacement and servicing.  Okay.  A quick internet search was very enlightening.  We can't just pop over to Central Hardware for new batteries.  These EPIRB units must be "serviced" by a service facility.  If the unit is older than 12 years, ACR will NOT change the battery thus you must get a new unit.  We are not sure how old our unit is.  There were some forum discussions about how batteries will last longer than 5 years and that the units will last way longer than 12 years overall.  Additionally, there were some discussions on how to change the battery yourself (not unlike forum discussions where people open up the guts of their iPhone and start jacking with it -super geek stuff) but since we really don't know much about it and our lives could depend on this little gem, we think it's best to get it serviced properly. 

I found a service facility in Jacksonville and called.  The girl that answered the phone asked me a couple of questions about our unit and then said she had the battery in stock (yay) and they could do a one day turn around service.  Sweet!  Cost $269 + tax.  Ugh!  I know, I know....small price to pay for safety but all this expensive hope we never need it stuff adds up.  Before plopping down the $$ for the battery and service, I am looking into the new generation PLB - Personal Locator Beacon's as an alternative and for general knowledge.  The new AIS SART Beacons look interesting as well.   Another option, although slightly different is SPOT with subscription services.  However I have read several blogs where the SPOT wasn't broadcasting like is should.  Hum?  We will probably end up stick with the EPIRB for now but it doesn't hurt to look and learn.  I know many people have both but we don't see the need or expense for both at this point.  What do you have?  EPIRB?  PLB?