Pelican Mini-Flasher IR LED

The place for general talk about gun, shooting, loading, camping, survival, and preparedness related tools and gear, as well as gear technology discussion, gear reviews, and gear specific "range reports" (all other types of gear should be on the back porch).
Post Reply
User avatar
workinwifdakids
Posts: 3594
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:57 am

Pelican Mini-Flasher IR LED

Post by workinwifdakids »

My question is about inexpensive IR beacons; as an example, Pelican's Mini-Flasher IR LED for under $15. Is this a novelty, do you think? Or would it really be useful?

I'm thinking about its application if, for example, one were stranded in the desert, on a life raft in the open ocean, or injured while backpacking. Would a helicopter with infrared be able to see these strobe from the air? It isn't worth thousands of dollars, and I'm not deploying to BFE. I just think that if they work, this is a marvelous, tiny gadget for nearly no money.
And may I say, from a moral point of view, I think there can be no justification for shoving snack cakes up your action.
--Weetabix
User avatar
Combat Controller
Site Admin
Posts: 5190
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:03 am

Re: Pelican Mini-Flasher IR LED

Post by Combat Controller »

Get some IR glow sticks and if you need them you have them.
Winner of the prestigious Автомат Калашникова образца 1947 года award for excellence in rural travel.
User avatar
workinwifdakids
Posts: 3594
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:57 am

Re: Pelican Mini-Flasher IR LED

Post by workinwifdakids »

Would IR glow sticks work if you needed to IR mark for a helicopter?
And may I say, from a moral point of view, I think there can be no justification for shoving snack cakes up your action.
--Weetabix
User avatar
NVGdude
Posts: 1715
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:39 am

Re: Pelican Mini-Flasher IR LED

Post by NVGdude »

It depends. We use the IR glow sticks to mark off drop zones or a "box and one" for rotor wing use. You can see them a ways off with the NVGs. For search and rescue, a blinky IR light like the Phoenix IR beacon is much better, you can see those for miles with the NVGs.
User avatar
workinwifdakids
Posts: 3594
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:57 am

Re: Pelican Mini-Flasher IR LED

Post by workinwifdakids »

NVGdude, PM inbound.
And may I say, from a moral point of view, I think there can be no justification for shoving snack cakes up your action.
--Weetabix
User avatar
JAG2955
Posts: 3044
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:21 pm

Re: Pelican Mini-Flasher IR LED

Post by JAG2955 »

I acquired a Phoenix Jr. for my E&E kit. Didn't get a chance to test it though. I also have one of the Firefly survival/rescue strobes, the kind that has an IR filter on the top, and you can also use it as a directional blue strobe so it's not mistaken for muzzle blast. The white light on the Firefly can be seen an extremely long distance. The Firefly is more than you want to pay, at over $100.

Might this be a good suggestion?
http://www.nitevis.com/Guardian_detail.htm
User avatar
workinwifdakids
Posts: 3594
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:57 am

Re: Pelican Mini-Flasher IR LED

Post by workinwifdakids »

JAG2955 wrote:I acquired a Phoenix Jr. for my E&E kit. Didn't get a chance to test it though. I also have one of the Firefly survival/rescue strobes, the kind that has an IR filter on the top, and you can also use it as a directional blue strobe so it's not mistaken for muzzle blast. The white light on the Firefly can be seen an extremely long distance. The Firefly is more than you want to pay, at over $100.

Might this be a good suggestion?
http://www.nitevis.com/Guardian_detail.htm

WOW. That link is great!

BTW, if you can please test the Phoenix Jr., the question is: is it visible to the naked eye, too?
And may I say, from a moral point of view, I think there can be no justification for shoving snack cakes up your action.
--Weetabix
Post Reply