In a message dated 12/19/2006 9:59:24 PM Pacific Standard Time, mikedaly_at_magma.ca writes: 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 PS - my headlamp is rated to 300m - why are the newer ones a wimpy IPX7 or 8? I use the strobe on the shoulder patch, forr all around visibility also. I am aware of the possibility of a dark synchronicity with wave patterns, which is why I prefer to add incandescent or LED to the mix. My rationale for the laser by Greatland is simple: It fits in my pocket and is more reliable than skyblazers. I am back to sealed pencil flares for my on body flare system, but they require some fiddlyness to deploy, the laser is not fiddly. The laser also gives me some means to signal an emergency whereas I took a plane to my destination. I'm not impressed with the headlamp waterproofing. I consider the x7 rating a joke and the x8 rating adequate for the application. Really, better suited to backpacking than kayaking, but for the amount I actually night paddle, and the amount it is actually on, the Eos has worked out pretty well. It's winter and that means more night paddling. Rob G *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Dec 20 2006 - 07:53:13 PST
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