We haven't tried any of those because it didn't seem to have that high of an output.

I'm looking for devices to replace pyrotechnics so I want to go as bright as practical.

One effective arrangement was combining a LaserFlare with a high intensity strobe together using some weapon's mount parts and a pistol grip. This allowed easier aiming of the laser flare to get someone's attention at extreme range (30+ miles), then the strobe to be visible at intermediate range (10 miles), and the life raft beacon at close range (5+ miles). I also attached a sighting compass with luminous dial to the rig to help keep track of what part of the horizon was scanned.

In use, a person would scan the horizon, aiming the laser and moving it in 5 degree increments in a tall ellipse to give a target multiple flashes. In theory, the rescuer would then adjust course to head toward the green flash. Even if you didn't flash the target again, they would eventually see the strobe which has a 180° beam spread. Even if you were aiming the laser 90° off of the target, they could still acquire the strobe. The strobe on the raft itself would provide 360° coverage. This way we'd have a tiered coverage of signals. You can always have another person signalling with the flashlight too.

I want to keep to a common battery, and the CR123A is a useful choice in that the price of them have come down, and they have a 10-year shelf-life. So in essence the batteries are only stored in the life raft for five years, and can be reused for weapon's lights and flashlights after they come out of the rafts because they'll still have 3-4 years shelf-life remaining. They can be sold/issued to units in the field for a small fraction of the cost of new batteries. We just have to cover handling and admin costs.

Regards,

Tom