I used to use the nobel, too, but it would up being just cheaper to get the international plan.
one thing you bring up ohio is the 1,000J, but you have to make sure you make the purchase so that they actually get the full 1000, because there is tax and nonsense. digicel tells you how much the recipient will get when you top them up, so you have to make sure you are actually sending them more than the 1,000. otherwise they will be short and will have to (maybe) make it up on their end.