Where can I get pen flares in the US? I use 12gauge orion set but it's too bulky for my purposes. <br><br>Matt

Go to Dougs list of manufacturers and have a look at pains wessex safety systems.<br><br>Personally I don't like pen flare because they only last 6 seconds.

Since Orion bought out Skyblazer your choices are even more limited. <br><br>http://www.orionsignals.com/Marine/Products/aerial/smallboat.html

Yes I saw those but I was thinking more in terms of reusable metal piece instead of plastic one time kits.<br><br>Matt

Years ago, I carried a flare kit which consistend of a metal launcher tube about the size of a fountain pen, with screw in flares. You had your choice of red, green, or white lights. It was light and it worked, although the flares were not very long lasting or particularly bright. I don't believe these are sold anymore.<br><br>This is no real loss. I rarely used them (ever?), primarily because most of the time their use was likely to start a wildfire (now that's a signal that will get attention). The best place to use flares is on the water, well away from land. Even there you suffer from the short duration of the signal - don't use unless you see a potential rescuer in sight.

The Pains Wessex flares are similar to the pen flares in use by the Army. Not very useful due to their limited burn time and altitude.<br>I have found the skyblazer flares to be extremely unreliable. I would never waste money on those again.<br>

Pains Wessex and Orion flares are very similar yet still I would prefer this:<br><br>http://fishhotline.com/Sunburst/<br><br>Unfortunatelly above folks don't deliver in the US and even if they did shipping is as much as the flare kit.<br><br>Matt