Strobe light recommendations

Posted by: leemann

Strobe light recommendations - 02/27/04 05:34 AM

Can anyone recommend a good strobe light?.

Thanks
Lee
Posted by: Polak187

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 02/27/04 01:27 PM

You basically have four choices when it comes to strobes (in my opinion). I'm assuming you are talking here about personal locator strobes and not car strobes.

First and newest and one of my personal favorites is Inova 24/7. It has eight LEDs and is tri color. It has 8 flashing patterns including SOS, distress tri color mode (which I use for biking and road work), flashlight mode, etc etc... It is powered by CR123 battery. There were some complains about durability of this bad boy and mine also broke but Inova has been superior in replacing mine. I used to have separate strobes for biking, kayaking, work, etc etc. This is one light in all. Together with next strobe I'm going to mention is mostly all the stuff you need. 24/7 is also waterproof but it is not a diving light. (about $40). They lately came up with load of attachments for this light (head band, magnetic holders, stands). Very cool feature is that you can put the strobe in the find me mode. It will blink very dimmly in red color so you can easly locate it.


Your next strobe is a military MS2000 strobe which basically has 3 modes. IR mode, Blue mode and White mode. It is powered by AAs. I think it is build tough and solid but some people on this board complained about durability of the “blue mode”. Also little disadvantage is that when strobe is closed IR filter is covering the flashing part. If by accident strobe is turned on you can’t really see it and you may be stuck with dead batteries. This problem can be easily fixed by checking your equipment on the periodic bases. Also there were some complains about contact corrosion but again I didn’t encountered the problem on my strobe. There is also a version of this strobe where flashing patter can be turned off and unit can be used as a regular flashlight.


Your third choice is Princeton Tec Aqua Strobe. This is mostly designed for kayaking and diving. This particular light stays on my kayaking vest. It uses single AA battery and will run about 8 hrs non stop. It has only one pattern. It is really durable and strong.


Last but not leas is going vintage. Air force had their own survival strobe SDU-5/E before replacing it with MS2000. Problem is that that strobe was using special 3 volt (I think) battery that unfortunately can’t be obtained anymore. Few guys on ebay designed a special extension or cap that fits into the body of the strobe and allows you to use 2 CR123 lithium batteries. Now I’ve tested this strobe few times and it’s a decent piece of equipment. You can purchase addition parts like lenses for pennies. But disadvantage of going this way is that equipment most likely has been used, if it fails you need to replaces it since there is no warranty. I have it in my car as a back up strobe.



Hope that helps,

Matt
Posted by: paramedicpete

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 02/27/04 03:37 PM

Matt, did an excellent job of describing the variety of strobes available. I have and have used all these strobes at one point or another and find pros and cons to all. For multiple applications, I would go with the INOVA 27/7. Here are a few other strobes to consider, again each with its advantages and disadvantages. Pete

http://www.insite-light.com/

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...item=2462484205

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3663536057&category=23822

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3661619750&category=1300

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3663026726&category=39667

http://www.glowtoob.com/

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3800173341&category=53293

Posted by: joblot

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 02/27/04 09:40 PM

Under what circumstances would you use a strobe light?
Would it be part of your BoB? Wouldn't its use be very limited due to the battery lifetime?
My reasons for asking are:
1/ I presume they are ineffective in daylight, which rules out hazard warning.
2/ Even in the dark, would a portable strobe light have enough power to be seen?
3/ Even if it did have enough power, its a very one directional beacon - would you be sure your pointing it the right direction?
I should point out I am assuming a lot here, I am not saying I am right. Just interested.
Martin
Posted by: paramedicpete

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 02/27/04 10:05 PM

Check out Doug's section on this subject. Pete

http://www.equipped.org/signal.htm#BatteryPoweredAttraction
Posted by: joblot

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 02/27/04 10:40 PM

Thanks for the link. I'm not sure I'm totally convinced though.
Phrases like "in ideal conditions" and "provided that..." aren't exactly ringing endorsements for the product.
I suppose I'm looking for real-life examples, where I can see where they might me used in an every day occurance, not just in a "stranded on a life boat in the middle of nowhere" senario.
thanks
Martin
Posted by: leemann

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 02/28/04 12:20 AM

Thanks folks for the links this gives me lots of info, The strobe is for my go bag 72 hr for ecomm use.

Lee
Posted by: frenchy

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 02/28/04 06:51 PM

What about this strobe light (not a LED model) ?
If you can find that brand in the US of A.....

Approx. translation of the text :

Flashing marker.
Manual activation.
Fastening : stainless steel clip, on the back of the unit.
Activated by turning the rotating ring (bezel ?), around the lens.
100m waterproof
Visible at 3 nautical miles
CR123 battery included.
Weight : 100g (without battery)
3 functions :
- constantly on (battery life = 4 days)
- flashing (60 pulses per second) (battery life = 8 days)
- S O S mode (battery life = 8 days)

Posted by: Polak187

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 02/29/04 02:59 PM

This look slike Inova 24/7 rip off minus colorLEDs. But for $75 I would steer clear from it. Unless you really need a diving strobe.

Matt
Posted by: frenchy

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 02/29/04 03:08 PM

Yes, it's not cheap ......
and for my personal use, I would not need something that waterproof.

Pro : waterproof (they are sold in the Nautical section of the catalogue)
Pro : superior visibility
Pro : I have not yet found Inova 24/7 here ..... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Posted by: bat69

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 03/01/04 12:10 AM

You were reading my mind Polak.. Identical housing as the Inova.

Posted by: paramedicpete

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 03/01/04 03:41 PM

I believe these lights are made by Adventure Lights, Inc. Pete

http://www.adventurelights.com/store.asp?sid=3
Posted by: frenchy

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 03/01/04 09:46 PM

Hey, the VIP (black on this picture) light looks a lot like the yellow one I mentionned in another post.
Same manufacturer ?
Maybe that's why the french yellow one is so expensive ... import fees and taxes...
Posted by: Stokie

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 03/02/04 03:12 PM

I've used this type of strobe light for diving for years. The strobe works well when there are low light conditions. It's cheaper than the other strobes mentioned.

http://www.divebooty.co.uk/online_specials/1432.htm

It's my back-up torch as well in the rare event that my main torch fails.

I always use rechargable batteries, making sure that all the batteries, for this and all my other dive check is part of the preparation for going on a dive just as you would for a hike or other adventure.

Just my 2 euro's worth.
Posted by: Southern

Re: Strobe light recommendations - 04/01/04 04:54 AM

I believe the Inova light is a knockoff of the VIP light. The VIP light is the toughest strobe/constant on light I have seen to date. Anyone who happened to see them at the SHOT show might have witnessed one of their lights being bounced off the concrete floor multiple times each day with nothing more than minor scratches. If you look, you will see the VIP lights on the LBE's of some of this nation's most elite(and wet) warriors. VIP for me, not INOVA.

southern