I am looking for a source for a small, compact strobe light that would be suitable for signaling to air craft and searchers.

This is something that I'd like to carry as hunter and SAR team members.

Thanks in advance,

Blake
www.outdoorquest.biz

http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=3630

I picked the orange one that clips on a vest years back when I had my boat. When I sold the boat I put it in the SUV, it still works great and probably 15 years old. Downside is it's D battery size. Mine came from a local marine store.

I have one of those with a clear lens. It's a classic design.

Another option is to pack a PowerFlare.

Would a laser product be an option? Obviously, not pointing it at aircraft or searchers, but to signal your own position.

Extensive review of lasers for rescue signaling here:
http://www.equipped.org/rescuelaser.htm According to Doug Ritter they are quite good for the intended purpose.

A strobe is a totally different beast, though. It flashes in all possible directions.


A standard powerful LED light with strobe function should be quite OK for signaling as well if you can aim it. If you add a diffuser tip it could also do quite well as a make-shift all-directions strobe device. You can use any plastic that diffuses the light. Some water containers might work very well. A white plastic bag should work. A white film canister should be great. Or put it inside your tent and pretend it's disco time...

Some flashlight vendors even sell a pre-made diffuser tip... Supposed to be very effective. I am sure the shape will earn some comments... https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=339

Academy has several options

I do not work there or have any affiliation with them.

http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=3630

http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=8638

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/-seso1.html

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___81285

http://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-0220-Emergency-Strobe-Light/dp/B001QC53X0

http://www.princetontec.com/?q=node/88

The Princeton Tec probably has the highest pedigree of these lights.

Believe it or not I still have an ACR Firefly 4G. I had two but one's bulb finally gave out.

It might have actually been on this site years ago that I found a link to a guy who made a cap that converted the battery from the funky chapstick style lithium to CR123s.

I still carry mine on my overnights. But mostly its a novelty with the kids. The only thing I don't have the cool lace up LBE pouch for it. I have it stuffed in a stretched out LBE compass pouch.

I used an ACR Firefly many times to indicate my location to helicopters doing SAR in southern Arizona "a while ago." It worked like a charm every time, rugged, and waterproof. There are probably more advanced, lighter, etc. models out there now, but don't get anything that is any less dim or less rugged. Our standard signalling devices were mirrors by day, ACRs by night.

Later when sea kayaking in the Channel Islands, I bought ACRs for my life vest. The batteries are still good. ACRs are truly good bits of gear. Ahh...memories.......

Whatever number to also recommend the ACR. Carried one forever and then some, laced to my web gear. Called in real life and training Medevacs with it, marked LZs for extractions, and marked DZs with it.

Reliable, takes a beating. Altho I had the one with the long tubular battery.