You thoughts echo mine to a point Leadie.
I have long thought about the benefits of both.
The thing that crosses my mind tho, is why is it possible they can build a black box that can survive pretty much everything up to a thermonuclear event, but not a fixed (automatic) ELT.
With todays technology, they'd almost be able to CAD it, Build it in china for five bucks a unit.
It beggars my understanding...maybe thats a business oppurtunity for some one to produce such a device.
Cheers
Jas