Visit our Popular Forums

4runner · 05-11-2009, 07:26

I need to replace the Personal MOB strobe lights.

I'm leaning to the Forespar RL-2.

Any thoughts or suggestions on this one or any others.

Must be US available.

Thanks,

4R

Bash · 05-11-2009, 07:36

I use that strobe. It's a bit bulky, but it's way bright. You have to remember to change the battery every year.

jackdale · 05-11-2009, 09:42

I have had a few of those that I use for students who do not have their own. A couple have failed. You also have to turn them on manually. The velcro attachment does not work on an arm. I attach them to the strap of a pfd which is not very convenient.

I used to use an ACR C-Strobe but have switched to a ACR RapidFire strobe that has a tab that will turn the light on when my vest inflates.

Jack

barnakiel · 05-11-2009, 13:15

I would not go for a strobe, I believe a non-strobe is better visible.

Why not a fixed light and a proper (big) strobe-torch in the pocket?

b.

**Pete7** · 05-11-2009, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4runner

I need to replace the Personal MOB strobe lights. I'm leaning to the Forespar RL-2.

Carried one of those underwater on my diving kit for the past 10 years. Astonished that it still works. As bash says needs a new C size battery each year but otherwise fit and forget.

Pete

jackdale · 05-11-2009, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I would not go for a strobe, I believe a non-strobe is better visible.

Why not a fixed light and a proper (big) strobe-torch in the pocket?

b.

I am not so sure about that conclusion. Do you have some evidence? My experience is the opposite. I practice night MOBs in my advanced courses. We strap a Forespar to a MOB pole.

A strobe would be easier to pick out against background light.

As well a strobe is a recognized distress signal.

Jack

barnakiel · 05-11-2009, 16:56

Well. I may be wrong. I base my opinion on two facts:

1) a while ago I read a group test of life-buoy lights where both strobes and fixed lights were tested, the fixed lights outperformed the strobes by a fair margin, as far as I remember the conclusion was that since a low placed light (lifejacket, floating light, etc.) is positioned very low and the swell normally will 'hide' the MOB at least half of the time, then the strobe, due to its nature is visible only now and then and this is too short a time for the human brain to concentrate on it and memorize its position,

2) sailinf off darwin we were in a group of boats that would get stuck every night for a week, somehow, the boat that had a COMMERCIAL grade strobe up on the top was the most difficult to spot.

My final comment is that it is apparently more difficult to tell the distance off a strobe than a fixed light source, which may influence the decisions during our MOB manouvers.

All this said I am not against nor for the strobe. I simply believe that it may be the better way to go for a fixed light on the lifejacket and have a super duper strobe (D-cell) in the pocket for emergency use. Then it can be used in hand and raised above the swimmers head to make it better visible.

b.

**David M** · 05-11-2009, 20:17

I think you both have a good point. Strobes are easier to find initially because of their super bright flash. I think this is the most important thing though. Once located, you can still tell where you need to go, even if it is only on once per second or once every two seconds. I have thrown both out on the water at night for drills. The strobe is far easier to locate.

**GordMay** · 06-11-2009, 04:35

Lifebuoy self-igniting lights shall;
(a) be such that they cannot be extinguished by water,
(b) be capable of either;
(i) burning continuously with a luminous intensity of not less than 2 candela in all directions of the upper hemisphere, or,
(ii) flashing at a rate of not less than 50 flashes per minute with at least the effective luminous intensity,
(c) be provided with a source of energy capable of meeting the
requirements of subparagraph (b) for a period of at least 2 hours, and ...

lights shall continue to provide a luminous intensity of not less than 2 cd or in the case of a flashing light, flash at a rate of not less than 50 flashes per minute with at least the corresponding effective luminous intensity.
8.2.2 The effective luminous intensity may be found from the formula ...

➥ http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/tp/...25/TP7325e.pdf

4runner · 06-11-2009, 09:41

Gentlemen:

I'm not looking to debate the merits of a fixed light vs a strobe.

I am looking for a review or recommendation please.

"Personal MOB Strobe Lights
I need to replace the Personal MOB strobe lights.

I'm leaning to the Forespar RL-2.

Any thoughts or suggestions on this one or any others.

Must be US available."

Thanks.....again,

4r