Comments on: And Now a Way to BE Seen

By: rockster

rockster — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:54:55 +0000

Hi I would like to know where to purchase the above item from?

By: Grandjester

Grandjester — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:11:27 +0000

Uh Darkmoon,
I don’t know where you shop, but my local Radio Shack doesn’t stock IR LEDs with fiber optic bundles.
William,
Doesn’t seem like we are fighting in the Fulda Gap at the moment, seems like there is little chance of these little buggers (which are directional BTW, hence the Fiber Optic component) being picked up by Taliban types, regardless of who’s NVGs they may have picked up.

By: stephen russell

stephen russell — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:38:02 +0000

Nice for Allied forces but how about enemy forces.
Must have Need for to deter Friendly Fire cases.

By: morpheus

morpheus — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:46:32 +0000

Yes, the enemy could also see the signals — and either mimic them or use them for targeting — if it knew what to look for. That is why one constantly changes call signs, signals, passwords, codes, etc.

By: Camp

Camp — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:17:35 +0000

I wonder if they could hook the device up to a keypad or mic, in order to send flash messages (similar to morse code). Or maybe create a receiving device (sim. to a viewfinder) to automatically decode the messages, or authenticate the flash pattern, color, spectrum, or intensity… babble, babble, babble… just a thought.
It probably won’t be long until unit gets enough of these to start spelling out words or drawing pictures on the ground for pilots above. :P

By: pedestrian

pedestrian — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:53:29 +0000

>I’m surprised it even costs $100 a unit.
It may have been a prototype. If the full production model costs the same, I’m going to slam the idiots who made this for not using COTS.
>You can get all of the electronic parts at Radio Shack from the sound of it depending on how
>bright the LED is.
Don’t tell me that’s “Made in China”. What kind of idiot would rely supplies from a communist country trying to destroy your own?

By: pedestrian

pedestrian — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:48:13 +0000

What happened to techniques using ***D signuatures?

By: steve

steve — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:34:37 +0000

The same could be said for any visual signal. However, it’s nice to see a relatively simple device help a serious problem.

By: darkmoon

darkmoon — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:56:35 +0000

This is really cool… BUT… from actual manufacturing and how it works, I’m surprised it even costs $100 a unit. You can get all of the electronic parts at Radio Shack from the sound of it depending on how bright the LED is.
And if it’s night vision, then wouldn’t the enemy just have to turn on similar type of gear to evade air assault?
It does sound better than strobes, and glint tape, but it also sounds like it’s easily reproduced with anyone that understands a little bit of electronics which isn’t a good thing.