The serial PLM's are available once again on Insteon.com, while the USB PLM's are out of stock.

I'm planning on acquiring several PLM's as backups for my system. 

I'd like recommendations on whether it is better to purchase a new PLM or to refurbish old ones (dual band of course). There is an eBay seller who purportedly refurbishes PLM's to be much more reliable by using tighter spec components. The refurbish service costs more than buying a new PLM. But if the PLM is going to be rock solid for say, 7 years - maybe it's worth it. 

What do people on this forum think?

The reconditioned ones may also depend on the original revision.

I am sure they change the power supply parts and the serial board controller. But I seriously doubt they can update the firmware version.  2E is the last one I have seen on V2.1 and above. As of V2.4 new designed serial board with built in surge suppression on the two serial signals to the outside world. Possible they added suppression on the older serial board as part of the updates.

Edited August 30Aug 30 by Brian H

On 8/29/2025 at 8:24 PM, matapan said:

There is an eBay seller who purportedly refurbishes PLM's to be much more reliable by using tighter spec components. The refurbish service costs more than buying a new PLM. But if the PLM is going to be rock solid for say, 7 years - maybe it's worth it. 

In the past, when NEW PLM units were not available a lot of users here used the service on eBay to get repaired. All positive reviews from what I recall. The person is also a member of the forums (@NDSSM). I’m sure the parts to perform the repair are costing more and the time to repair needs to be considered. 

I wouldn’t go crazy buying “several” spare PLM, but do see where having one spare would be worth having. I feel comfortable having one spare and knowing a repair option is available if/when needed.