Has anyone else tried out the new signal mirrors from County Comm?

http://www.countycomm.com/ccsignalmirror.htm

I find them excellent in their manufacture, finish and fit. I like their light weight, apparently high reflectivity, and crisp printing and sighting lines.

I was a little disappointed to find that there was no fireball or back-sighting feature. If I'm reading the instructions correctly, you're supposed to coordinate the reflection on your hand with the crosshairs, then move the crosshairs to your target.

I guess the idea is that if you keep the mirror in a fixed position relative to your eye, that calibration or alignment will hold across a distance. I don't find that to be the case.

In practice, it seemed more effective to use my fingers in a V. The spot of light seemed to drift well away from the crosshairs if any distance was involved.

Am I missing something?

Bear

That looks like a good mirror...thanx 4 the heads up

I also saw that they'll have a Breacher Bar Tool coming soon. I don't know about you guys, but I want one.

P.S. I love the little note from the legal department @ the bottom of the page.

Another note from the bottom:

A Note From The Legal Department: These Mirrors create a bright flash. Please use responsibly. Signal Mirrors do not work well at night.



-JAce

I have 3 of them in my basket. Without a fireball though I am going to skip them and order more from Rescue Reflectors. They are my favorites and not that much more.

I have been reading backwards in the forum (have already covered 100+ pages) and just came across a signaling mirror thread which I was about to respond to. Since I saw this thread as I logged in I will add it here.

I carry as a signaling mirror an old rectangular, ladies' makeup compact. You can use it as is or you can drill (carefully) a hole in the center for sighting. Not only is it almost breakproof since it is in the compact, but I toss a bunch of fire tinder in the compact as well. I use cotton balls (100% cotton) either with or without vaseline. These will also ensure that the mirror doesn't break if dropped.

It is virtually breakproof; it is a real mirror, not metal; It is lightweight & slimline; it is a tinder holder or it can be used as a complete micro kit, and best of all (as I try to do with as much improvised equipment as possible) it is free! Why buy when you can make it free and many times come up with a better product?

Just my $.02 worth...

Soarn

You really need to borrow a real signal mirror and compare the ease of use to the compact homemade. I am guessing you will find that there simply is no comparison. A Rescue Reflector mirror is vastly superior to any other signal mirror I have used (real ones) and infinately superior to improvised devices. A flat mirror with a hole is useful, but will pale in comparison.

Some stuff is really worth buying.

Schwert...

Thank you for your input I do appreciate what you said. I am quite proficient with the compact, so I don't need the store brought item. But I am sure that it would be much easier for others that aren't familiar with the technique.

One of the problems that I foresee, however, with that approach is as follows. I learn every piece of equipment that I carry. I know how to use them, and what their limits are. Many (or perhaps not) who buy the storebrand.. with the fancy instructions will place it nicely in their kit without any understanding of how to use it efficiently (It has instructions after all). But when you see that chopper or airplane going 200 knots at 4 miles distance it is NOT the time to learn to use your equipment.

I have seen E-kits with brand new mag bars, unworn paracord, compasses without a scratch, knives that don't have a mark on them and the original factory edge untouched, etc, etc, etc. As a teacher that bothers me. People think that because they have a kit they are prepared. That kind of thinking is what kills people in an emergency.

You need to OWN your skills, and that includes equipment usage. When I put together my own equipment I know it's pro's, con's, limits, and usage. I test it until it works "for me". And whether one buys a store item or makes their own tools, they need to work with them until they "own them". Like in the military where they teach you to take apart your weapon, clean it, and put it back together blindfolded. If we can't use our equipment efficiently then we shouldn't take it with us for it will do us no good.

Thanks again for your encouragment on trying other products It is great advice...

- Soarn

Point taken. However I still would encourage you to try out a signal mirror with a fireball.

There are loads of threads here and other places where folks carry old CD's, harddrive disks, polished Altoids tin lids what have you..

I would almost bet money they would toss those improvised devices for a real fireball mirror in a second if they used them side-by-side.

Once you use a fireball mirror it is obvious if you want to hit that plane going by at 200 kph, you had better be practiced and you will be much better off using a real signal mirror.

I recently purchased a couple of these mirrors from County Comm. They are actually quite nice. I was able to pick one up and aim the flash after just a couple of minutes of practice. They are sturdy and lightweight. They also come in a nice nylon case. Not a bad deal.

Jace, you'd amazed how many silly people there are on this rock.