Do you ever use the SOS mode on flashlights?
- Thread starter kris994
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american lockpicker
Enlightened
I've used it a few days ago when I was trying out all the features on my new Photon.
brighterisbetter
Flashlight Enthusiast
I've never used it in daily life that's for sure. However, my recently-sold Novatac had that feature, and could be programmed out of the regular ramping/cycling sequence if so desired. Perhaps a hiker on expedition would be more at ease knowing it's there in an emergency in the event they'd be trapped under a rock or something 
In a prolonged use situation, I don't imagine the tactical strobe function would do anything in the interest of prolonging battery life.
But come to think of it, the Novatac (E & P models) has another useful mode, the 'Emergency Strobe' function, with has longer durations between the strobe flashes. This would be more ideally suited for such a scenario. I know countycomm offers a dedicated strobing lantern which runs off a single D alkaline, but in the interest of saving weight on a trip by foot, the Novatac crams it all into one small package. There's also several others with this feature like the Photon Freedom and the Lithium Glo-Toob.
So in summary, everyday lights I don't see the necessity for an SOS beacon. But certain hobbies (namely camping/mountainbiking/hiking) it may be more useful for. I say leave it up to the buyer to decide, or at the very least, make it a 'hidden' mode only accessible through a certain button press combo.
In a prolonged use situation, I don't imagine the tactical strobe function would do anything in the interest of prolonging battery life.But come to think of it, the Novatac (E & P models) has another useful mode, the 'Emergency Strobe' function, with has longer durations between the strobe flashes. This would be more ideally suited for such a scenario. I know countycomm offers a dedicated strobing lantern which runs off a single D alkaline, but in the interest of saving weight on a trip by foot, the Novatac crams it all into one small package. There's also several others with this feature like the Photon Freedom and the Lithium Glo-Toob.
So in summary, everyday lights I don't see the necessity for an SOS beacon. But certain hobbies (namely camping/mountainbiking/hiking) it may be more useful for. I say leave it up to the buyer to decide, or at the very least, make it a 'hidden' mode only accessible through a certain button press combo.
Bonky
Banned
I only own two lights that have any "modes" other than on/off.
I hate modes. Give me a small, medium-bright light with a good runtime and which doesn't get too hot and that's all I need.
I hate modes. Give me a small, medium-bright light with a good runtime and which doesn't get too hot and that's all I need.
Wattnot
Enlightened
I find the strobe very useful. It's an awesome attention getter. It's most commonly used when I'm picking up kids from some school event.
But the question was about SOS. I find it odd for people here to be so against this feature, especially when it's the same group of people who EDC flashlights and other useful items. But hey, I was a Boy Scout and a pilot and a Ham so I already have the mindset for it.
Of course you would only use this if you needed it, which would be extremely rare. Why would you ride a bike with an S.O.S signal on? However, I bet in your life you will need that before needing that gun in the nightstand (but you're sure glad that gun is there if the need arises). I wouldn't go on a hike or get on a boat or plane without a light with an automatic SOS. On an earlier version of this same thread I provided proof of a recent boat rescue where the victims signaled SOS with a flashlight. And don't worry about people not knowing what it is. Of course if you needed it for real, ANYONE looking for you would know what it means. It's international too. Don't be fooled into thinking nobody knows what it means. It's usually the only Morse code anyone does know. Of course the type people who have to ask for "the number for 9-1-1" probably won't recognize the sequence but then again you're not going to get much help from them anyway!
But the question was about SOS. I find it odd for people here to be so against this feature, especially when it's the same group of people who EDC flashlights and other useful items. But hey, I was a Boy Scout and a pilot and a Ham so I already have the mindset for it.
Of course you would only use this if you needed it, which would be extremely rare. Why would you ride a bike with an S.O.S signal on? However, I bet in your life you will need that before needing that gun in the nightstand (but you're sure glad that gun is there if the need arises). I wouldn't go on a hike or get on a boat or plane without a light with an automatic SOS. On an earlier version of this same thread I provided proof of a recent boat rescue where the victims signaled SOS with a flashlight. And don't worry about people not knowing what it is. Of course if you needed it for real, ANYONE looking for you would know what it means. It's international too. Don't be fooled into thinking nobody knows what it means. It's usually the only Morse code anyone does know. Of course the type people who have to ask for "the number for 9-1-1" probably won't recognize the sequence but then again you're not going to get much help from them anyway!
aussiebob
Enlightened
I never ues the SOS mode either, but dont mind it being there, if you dont like it just dont use it.
I often use the strobe however when biking or just annoying people.
Id like to see what would happen if you left a light on strobe at the top of a abandoned hill, building etc pointing toward civilisation and walked away. Would people investigate??
I often use the strobe however when biking or just annoying people.
Id like to see what would happen if you left a light on strobe at the top of a abandoned hill, building etc pointing toward civilisation and walked away. Would people investigate??
MWClint
Enlightened
it would be more useful if it was a simple 10 second beacon.
f22shift
Flashlight Enthusiast
i think it is better because a flashing light is more noticeable than a solid light at any output. strobe is too aggressive for biking.
i dont think anyone will use sos on here
matrixshaman
Flashlight Enthusiast
I guess this is why they make different model cars, motorcycles, computers etc., etc., ad infinitum. Not everyone wants the same features. I value my SOS lights the same way I value my survival kits, survival knife, BOB, 550 paracord, spare batteries, solar chargers and so on. I hope I never need most of them but if I were out hiking and got lost or hurt and it was getting dark then I'd certainly be glad to have a light that could do SOS all night.
Sigman
* The Arctic Moderator *
Won't catch me (or most that I know) out in the boonies up here in Alaska WITHOUT a light that strobes or has SOS on it. Too many hazardous situations as a result of the wilderness environment not to be prepared. Carry a Greatland Rescue Laser Flare as well (along with the kitchen sink, I might add! ).
).Strobe, yes...SOS, not once. I don't like having to cycle through, 3 modes of brightness would be fine.
KiwiMark
Flashlight Enthusiast
You make a good point and I tend to agree - a torch should be simple for anyone to use. When in whatever mode it is in it should be easy to turn on and use.
I have just been playing with my Jetbeam - the standard use is pretty simple:
Turn on and it is putting out tons of light, half press to switch to low light and then half press to go to strobe. The clever but complicated part is where you can switch to advanced mode to alter any of the 3 settings to pretty much anything you want. I have now altered mine to: off-low-med-high. Every time I switch it on it will now start on low which I prefer as it doesn't stuff up my night vision when my eyes have adjusted to the dark. I also have no strobe or SOS mode unless I go to advanced mode and change one of the 3 modes to strobe (or reset to factory). Now that I have figured out the programming mode I like this little torch even more, with one 14500 cell in the torch and another one as a spare I get great light output from a conveniently small torch.
This advanced programming is clever and complicated, but it doesn't stop the torch from being simple to use every day for any user. The only negative is that a novice will be unlikely to reprogram the modes and will just have the 3 defaults, whether they want the strobe for the 3rd one or not.
StarHalo
Flashaholic
This is how all my JetBeams are set too, 2/~70/225 lumens. And once you get used to quickly blipping between your own modes, all the other UIs will seem awkward.
Keep in mind that JetBeams are only sold through one distributor in the US, and aren't available at any B&M store; Novices won't be seeing any of these.
KiwiMark
Flashlight Enthusiast
Upon reading that I thought about when a flashaholic buys one to give to a loved one, but then again they would probably program it for the loved one and give it to them ready to go.
nzgunnie
Enlightened
Low, High, all I want.
Wont buy a light with SOS or strobe.
Fenix has lost my business. I have an original L1P, would love one with an updated emitter, but all those modes have stopped me.
Wont buy a light with SOS or strobe.
Fenix has lost my business. I have an original L1P, would love one with an updated emitter, but all those modes have stopped me.
n4zov
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
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"Of course if you needed it for real, ANYONE looking for you would know what it means. It's international too. Don't be fooled into thinking nobody knows what it means. It's usually the only Morse code anyone does know."
Well, that isn't exactly true anymore. The U.S. Coast Guard discontinued its monitoring for code in 1995 and no longer transmits in code. That would indicate to me that it no longer provides any code training for its personnel - even radio operators. Code proficiency is not a part of the requirements for a pilot's license and most countries have removed it as a requirement for an amateur radio license, I would guess that the U.S. military no longer teaches it to radio operators. I can see some possible uses for the strobe function in a flashlight, but the chances of the SOS function being use is remote.
Well, that isn't exactly true anymore. The U.S. Coast Guard discontinued its monitoring for code in 1995 and no longer transmits in code. That would indicate to me that it no longer provides any code training for its personnel - even radio operators. Code proficiency is not a part of the requirements for a pilot's license and most countries have removed it as a requirement for an amateur radio license, I would guess that the U.S. military no longer teaches it to radio operators. I can see some possible uses for the strobe function in a flashlight, but the chances of the SOS function being use is remote.
Bonky
Banned
Only way SOS will help you is if they send out a rescue team of Ham Radio operators.
nerdgineer
Flashlight Enthusiast
I don't use it, but it doesn't bother me to have it as long as the flashlight HAS NO MEMORY. Then I never encounter it so I don't care.
If I ever DID get in a situation where it was useful - and survived - it would make a glowing and refutational story to tell on CPF. Kind of like the "...and you all laughed at me for carrying an elephant gun..." story. So maybe it's worth it for that, as long the light has no memory.
I have found the strobe useful a few times and like having that, as long as the light has no memory.
I like the Fenix UIs a lot - particularly the L0D UI as it doesn't carry current through any threads, and because it has no memory.
...oh, and did I mention that I don't like lights which have memories?...
If I ever DID get in a situation where it was useful - and survived - it would make a glowing and refutational story to tell on CPF. Kind of like the "...and you all laughed at me for carrying an elephant gun..." story. So maybe it's worth it for that, as long the light has no memory.
I have found the strobe useful a few times and like having that, as long as the light has no memory.
I like the Fenix UIs a lot - particularly the L0D UI as it doesn't carry current through any threads, and because it has no memory.
...oh, and did I mention that I don't like lights which have memories?...
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I have never used strobe or SOS. I have had a Flupics for years and now have two jetbeams. I have never accidentally got into strobe or SOS using the Flupics, I have inadvertantly entered the strobe mode with the Jetbeam, especially the Jet III with the reverse clicky. I don't mind it that much, but it would be nicer if the strobe, SOS and programming modes were harder to get to accidentally. A suggestion would be to not enter these modes without a 2 second or more push.
Alan
Alan
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