I think the problem with many of these issues is the one answer fits all, which sometimes becomes a my way or the highway approach.  Probably the thing I love most about  tripping in Quetico is not being tethered to my Blackberry, as I have to the rest of the year to pay for these too few weeks.  So I reject the idea of a sat phone entirely, but my wife does want to know where I am and that I'm OK - I'm sure safer than she is in Chicago suburbs - so a Spot (forgive me) hits the spot.  Taking it out of my pack wehn I make camp, pushihg a few buttons and letting it sit for 30 minutes or so, is not too intrusive.  If it was not for my wife, I might consider a PLB instead, but I don't really feel I'm at that great of risk so probably would carry nothing.

But whatever suits and fits you is great.