Posted: 11/11/2008 1:59:28 AM EDT
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What say yee, yes or no?
For conventional backpacking and other scenarios, what other options are there for a good strobe beacon? |
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If you want a strobe there is not another that is better. I have one, however I picked it up at a local Army Surplus store. It appeared to be from a local reservist kit who came back from the sandbox. Got it for $35.00. Streamlight makes the Sidewinder and ACR makes the USCG approved strobe markers for boaters.
All this saying is that I have used my MS2000 during a medical emergency in the Smokey Mtns about two months ago. It helped out alot. |
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I have been using ACR SDU-5-E strobes for years the 2k is a product improved version that uses Ordinary AA batteries...
I have used my SDU-5E many times in the real world, and in a personal survival situation, it seriously improved my chances of being found. The 2k would have provided exemplary performance as well. It is what the cool kids are using these days. |
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Quoted:
I have been using ACR SDU-5-E strobes for years the 2k is a product improved version that uses Ordinary AA batteries... Naah, the cool kids just bought the new battery cap and started using 123a's in the SDU-5-E. Mercury batteries just weren't fun after awhile 
link 
FWIW - I own/use both the SDU (with 123) and the 2000 and both are excellent. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I have been using ACR SDU-5-E strobes for years the 2k is a product improved version that uses Ordinary AA batteries... Naah, the cool kids just bought the new battery cap and started using 123a's in the SDU-5-E. Mercury batteries just weren't fun after awhile
link
FWIW - I own/use both the SDU (with 123) and the 2000 and both are excellent. Oh yeah I have Brooke's battery adapter caps for my SDUs and I have a couple NVS Phoenix Jr. IR LED strobes which I might add when viewed under Night Vision are significantly brighter than the SDU. But utterly worthless for SAR... Unless of course the SAR team is using NVGs... Heck I even have a test set for the SDUs! I keep SDU-5Es on hand for training exercises, when I have to send folks out at night, I give them a safety kit for JIC, Radio, tuned to our safety net, SDU-5E, with IR cap and Flash director, a third of a VS-17 panel, flares, Lightsticks, signal mirror, Means to start a fire. Small first aid pack. Another thing I found out by accident one time was that the 6V Crypto Batteries that cost a small fortune for the .MIL work quite well in the damned strobe when the Merc battery has given up the ghost... That was handy! Break the Brass cap off the Merc bat and put the battery inside put a spring or part of a spring from a Pen in the cap to take up the space screw it all down pop the IR cap on cut on the strobe and call down the thunder!! Phoenix Jr Beacons 
SDU-5E and Test Set (tests flash intensity and frequency) can also load test the Mercury batteries DO NOT attempt to test Lithium Cells with this unit! 
100-150 is good, this unit tests out to 130 
Strobe and Test set. 
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I keep a water activated ACR firefly strobe on my working life vest. It seems like a well made piece of kit, but not as well made as the old ones with the funky mercury battery.
For locating something/someone at night, a strobe is highly effective. I've been on vessels searching for equipment during the day and at night. During the day a moderate-sized orange buoy is basically invisible on the sea surface if there's any sort of chop or seaway. At night, that same buoy will be visible for miles if marked with a strobe. |