Hello all. . .
Looking for advice on the purchase of a new strobe. My Nova strobe has given up after 10yrs of loyal service. Actually I just sent it in for calibration (interal company) and it came back broken. (nice huh) Anyway, I used Pioneers "pocket strobe" a couple years ago and liked the portability but it doesn't have quite the kick as the Nova's. Have any of the "pocket" style strobes stepped up the power?

Ten years of service is hard to beat, especially if you take into account equipment depreciation. It's also hard to beat the amount of light put out by the nova strobes. I have found one weakness though, riding around in a service truck. The large capacitor located beneath the bulb tends to break and loose connection to the board which then blows the fuse. Best of luck. It's always fun buying new toys.

Nicholas A. Martin

http://www.monarchinstrument.com/strobes.htm

I use the Pocket strobe shown on the link from vibbase above. It's a Monarch. After you get used to the one thumb adjustment (no gloves) I found it to be handy. It is bright enough to see outside, although I can't see it real well at high noon with direct sunlight. For the price though, I think it is a good buy.

Dave

I use the Novastrobe DB and have owned 2 in 10 years. I have dropped them on several occasions, but it took about 10 or 15 tries (7 yrs.) before I suceeded in breaking the 1st one.

The extra bright tube, phase shift, and 6-speed memory are worth the money (if they are still extra).

I got used to the bulk and usually carry it under my left arm. I've gotten so that I almost never drop it or leave it behind, but after 3 years of carrying it under my arm, you might not want to borrow mine

Thanks for the replies! I think I'm going to have to stay with the big blue boxes. . . like we've said, it's hard to beat the durability and options! Thanks, Andy

agoenner,
I just purchased (not my money, company's money) the big blue box. If you had to tote around the CSI 444 "cinder block" that I have carried for quite some time, you would never call the Nova DB big again!

For others interested in strobes - here is a selection of Monarch, Checkline, Shimpo, SKF, Extech and more:
http://www.reliabilitydirect.com/strobeproducts/strobeindex.htm

I just got my new Palm Strobe. (deluxe kit with spare battery, pouch, case etc.) So far I like it but I'm not to sure about the pouch. It doesn't hold the unit very securely. It's too big for my pocket. Any experience out there with how to carry this thing around?

I've worn mine from my belt for 2 years with no problems. Use it for a flash light as well as a strobe. My problem seems to be with the digits that hold it.

Is anyone using a coon hunting light harness or shooting vest to carry around gear? I've thought about a shooting vest with deep pockets to carry the strobe, adjustable, lockout locks, and whatever else I may be need for the day. Thinking it would be easier to load up before heading out on a route if it were all to be in or on something that could be worn when needed.

I carried the CSI brick for years. Yes it was heavy and expensive, but it would let you get very precise with the double digits behind the decimal. For instance 400.97HZ sound like over kill unless you using the strobe as a counter for an analyzer. This comes in handy one something like a paper machine. However, it does not like water. Other wise a pocket type is convent and much less expensive. I would not suggest the little red pocket strobe. Personally I hated the speed adjustments buttons. The rolling dial is much easier to use on the fly. Stay away from those plastic ones that look like radar guns. They tend to go into a million pieces upon contact with any hard object such as an I-beam. I’m speak from experience.