Best signal mirror?

Don't know if this long link will work, but it's to the USAF mirror that I carry. It has an aiming grid that works as advertised, where some of the others that I've used are worthless. If the link doesn't work just go to http://www.actiongear.com and do a search for 'USAF Signal Mirror'
http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/level4s.tam?xax=30567&M5COPY%2Ectx=8242&M5%2Ectx=3201&M2%5FDESC%2Ectx=Survival%20Signals%2C%20Strobes%2C%20Whistles&level3%2Ect x=results%2Etam&query%2Ectx=signal%20mirror&backto=%2Fagcatalog%2Fresults%2Etam

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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
 
Originally posted by Larry in KY:
Hey guys,

Who makes the best signal mirror? where can I order one? Thanks! Larry
Click to expand...

I recommend a mirror from Ultimate Survival out of Seattle called the Starflash. I got my mirror from the 1997 SHOT Show where I met USAF Captian Scott O'Grady, who used one of these mirrors after his F-16 was shot down over Bosina.
In the center of this mirror there is a signaling apperture. This is a very small mirror roughly 1 1/2" x 2". I used one just a little larger when I was in the army to signal blackhawk's to pick us up. Believe me, if you use it, you will be seen. Also, they are handy for other uses.

Might want to grab a copy of one of the SAS manuals out there. All that i have seen are very handy.

 
I have to agree with Yan. My starflash works great. Fortunately haven't needed it for rescue purposes but have used it to practice signaling on mock SAR missions.

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Where no law exists there still must be justice- Dan Mahoney
 
Hi Larry..

Before you go spending the big bucks for a signal mirror,, try using an old AOL CD which are usually free...

They work really well, are shiny, pretty durable and have a hole in the middle already for sighting...

ttyle Eric....

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
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Originally posted by Normark:
Hi Larry..

Before you go spending the big bucks for a signal mirror,, try using an old AOL CD which are usually free...

They work really well, are shiny, pretty durable and have a hole in the middle already for sighting...

ttyle Eric....
Click to expand...

I love this tip! I have an AOL box sitting on my desk at home waiting for the circular file.

Normark, is this a tip I should bet my life on? Have you tested it?

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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
Jeff, do you suggest the small mirror or the large mirror. They list two.

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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
Hi JJ,

I'll second that I also carry a Star Flash originally sold by Gerber Legendary Blades and it's one bright easy to use mirror.
It's easy to get the bright aiming spot and I've flashed during a scouting weekend at some scouts at oner 1.5 miles distance while I was standing on a fire watch tower and they clearly saw me and even got annoyed by the bright flashing
biggrin.gif
.
It's size is 3" by 2" and in the center is a starshaped aiming hole.

Cheers,

Bagheera

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Originally posted by Normark:
Hi Larry..

Before you go spending the big bucks for a signal mirror,, try using an old AOL CD which are usually free...

They work really well, are shiny, pretty durable and have a hole in the middle already for sighting...

ttyle Eric....
Click to expand...

I've heard contradictory responses on the CD's effectiveness. Another party posted that they couldn't be seen at a couple of hundred yards.

I think we need to get this tested before relying on it.

Anybody with ACTUAL EXPERIENCE signalling with a CD?



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Plainsman
primitiveguy@hotmail.com
<A HREF="http://pub7.ezboard.com/bplainsmanscabin.html" TARGET=_blank>
Plainsman's Cabin Forums</A>
 
I have a Vietnam Era Surplus Glass Mirror that I really like. Bright as Heck. Really Bright.

I also have one that think is like the one in Jeff's link, I bought mine 7 years ago. Very nice. My brother just bought one like it.

I owned a plastic one, but the adhesive holding the two parts together failed the soap and water test. A couple of showeres with that around my neck and it was history.

I have also heard that the plastic ones are not as bright. And I know for a fact that plastic scratches much easier than glass, and scratches will cut down on reflected light.

I tested the CD, and it does not work as well, nowhere near as well. My 3 x 5 glass one will light up a room based on the beam reflected off the wall. The CD has a unfocused beam, and not anywhere as bright. But, in a situation where you have no special mirror, I imagine a CD would be better than nothing.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

My Talonite Resource Page, nearly exhaustive!!
My Fire Page, artificial flint and index of information.

"Many are blinded by name and reputation, few see the truth" Lao Tzu
 
I just went out in the back yard and tested my AOL CD. I'm still blinking away the spots in front of my eyes. At 60 yards it is blinding. I asume it will work at longer distances as well. I think Normark has a great idea here. To be on the safe side, I would first test whatever CD you plan to use. But you could probably rely on one of these in a pinch so I would put a few here and there in a hunting coat or field bag or whatever. The price is surely right and these things aren't fragile and weigh nothing.

Also, I think it would be good to test it against a regular mirror.


Still blinking,


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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
Strangely enough I got an AOL CD in the mail a couple of days ago, and it hadn't made it to the trash yet. I took it outside and dang if it didn't work like gangbusters. I have a small signal mirror that I tested it against, and I believe that the CD worked better.

Way to think outside the box! I'm going to have to start paying more attention to my junk mail.
smile.gif




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-Kevin
"Oderint dum metuant"
Riddler, Hoodlum, Bon Vivant.
http://www.pollyklaas.org
 
The only advantage to the plastic one is that it floats. Its flash is far less effective than the old glass ones...

This is well known amoung the USAF survival instructor cadre (which I am a past/and always member of).

Get one of the old glass ones... it is far more effective.

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Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

 
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