Orion Safety Products Handheld Flares 10x Brighter and 10x Greater Visibility Area at Less Than 50% of Cost!
EASTON, Md., Jan. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- According to quantitative data developed by an independent USCG approved lab, Orion handheld flares are 10x brighter than the Weems & Plath™ SOS Distress Light even when the electronic light has new, non-corroded batteries (Orion handheld flares 647 candela vs. SOS light 62.5 candela). Signal brightness (candela) and the distance the emergency signal can be seen is a big deal when it comes to alerting a rescuer in emergency situations.
Candela measures brightness which determines how far away a distress signal can be seen*. At 647 candela, the Orion handheld flare can be seen for 35.97 nautical miles, with a visibility area of 4,061 square nautical miles. The 62.5 candela produced by the Weems & Plath™ SOS Light can be seen for 11.18 nautical miles, which translates to a visibility area of only 392.5 square nautical miles. This means the Orion handheld flares have a safety and visibility area over 10X greater than that of the Weems & Plath™ SOS Light. When search and rescue professionals are covering vast bodies of water, this may well mean the difference between life and death.
Even beyond the metrics, perhaps the biggest advantage Orion handheld flares have is the fact that they are a universally recognized signal for day and night time use. Orion flares quickly and unmistakably communicate "emergency" unlike a blinking light, which can signify anything from a rock pile to a channel marker. Unlike battery dependent electronic lights, Orion handheld flares are also tested quarterly by a USCG approved lab and proven to meet USCG specs. When the lives of you and your family are at stake, who wouldn't want the assurance of regular compliance testing and a long track record of proven results at less than 50% of the cost? That's right, Orion's time tested, reliable, superior handheld signal (based upon brightness and visibility) is less than half the cost of the Weems & Plath™ SOS Light and it satisfies both day and nighttime USCG carriage requirements unlike the Weems & Plath™ SOS Light.
Orion is the leader in the marine and emergency signaling category, providing a complete product line to meet the needs of every boater. For even greater safety/visibility, Orion recommends boaters also carry Orion aerial flares (12-gauge aerial flares). Orion's 12-gauge aerial flares produce up to 16,000 candela which translates to a sighting distance of 178 miles and a visibility area of 100,427 square miles. To learn more about the complete line of Orion marine safety products, visit www.orionsignals.com/application/marine.html.
When asked about Orion handheld flares, Jay McLaughlin, President of Orion Safety Products, stated, "We are proud to provide a product that is easy to use, exceeds USCG performance requirements, is consistently and frequently tested by USCG approved labs, cost efficient, and most importantly, effective. When used with Orion aerial signals, handheld flares are the perfect signaling choice to guide rescuers to your exact position should you ever need assistance."
Orion handheld marine flares can be found at West Marine, Walmart, your local marine dealer, and other retailers that sell marine safety products.
Note: Sighting distance and safety zone calculations are determined by the distance specific candela/brightness can be seen. Curvature of the earth may impact actual sighting distances.
*Independent lab conducted comparison testing between Orion Red Handheld Flares and Weems & Plath™ #C-1001 Electronic Flare SOS Distress Light. The lab report is available at www.orionsignals.com.
About Orion Safety Products
Orion Safety Products, Easton, MD, is the nation's largest manufacturer of highway and U.S. Coast Guard approved signals. Headquartered in Easton, MD, Orion has manufacturing and distribution facilities in Peru, IN and Bristol, PA. Their website is www.orionsignals.com.
SOURCE Orion Safety Products
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