Re: [Paddlewise] Strobe Question

I own and keep a Greatland Laser Flare tethered in my PFD, as well as  
a PFD mounted strobe,
an LED flashlight that is waterproof and easy to operate with cold  
hands or while wearing gloves.
I keep an LED Petzl Tikka Plus headlamp available.  If I were also in  
situations at night where I needed
to light up an approach to scout it in the dark....I'd also carry a  
higher power (thought shorter battery life)
light like those made by SureFire.  The Petzl head lamp has a 'burst'  
mode, and the SureFire lights also have
red filters that can snap down to preserve night vision while reading  
charts, etc.  SureFire (as I'm sure others
of this type do as well) offers a highly water resistant 'spare  
battery and reflector/bulb unit' carrier that can also be tethered
and kept in your PFD or your Bailout Pack.  The light I have takes  
two lithium batts and the spares-pod holds six batts and a
reflector/bulb unit.

The Greatland Laser Flare gets mixed reviews in field testing, and  
some argue that green lasers (admittedly, very powerful ones)
might be more easily spotted....used by star gazers to point out and  
guide other viewers.  The Greatland Laser works well,
but you have to practice with targeting...you have to sight well with  
both hands and sweep very slowly for it to be seen at any distance.
That might work great once you're out of the water and steady on your  
feet...but getting tumbled in swell, hands cold, et al. I think
the application of the Greatland Laser might be less effective.



On Dec 19, 2006, at 11:54 PM, Michael Daly wrote:

> Rcgibbert_at_aol.com wrote:
>
>> The large headlamps
> [...]
> > A  water proof  flashlight
> [...]
>> a Greatland Laser
> [...]
>> It is awesome at night as the light columnates.
>
> I think that something is getting lost here.  Do you want to be  
> seen from any angle or do you want a light to attract attention  
> from a specific target?  A strobe or non-flashing light should have  
> a very wide spread of light if it is to be seen from anywhere.  A  
> highly directional light source is better (at night) if you want to  
> signal, say, a boat or helicopter.  I don't know of too many  
> products that can do both well.
>
> For general night lights, a flashlight meets the legal requirements  
> in the US and Canada, while a light with broader horizontal  
> distribution (like a C-light) is better.  For a light permanently  
> attached to the shoulder tab of your PFD, you'll want a very bright  
> light that can be seen in any direction - strobes work, but a non- 
> flashing source may be better.  For signaling, a pointer type of  
> light is required and the laser mentioned above is highly rated (if  
> it's the one I remember hearing about earlier).  You might need all  
> three!
>
> Mike
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