REVIEW: S&S Precision Manta Strobe MS-0013

Well-loved and widely known, the Manta Strobe comes from the house of S&S Precision. The Manta is a successful product from the manufacturer, we introduced an earlier version back in 2012. Since then, it has been (slightly) changed and improved. For this review, we are taking a closer look at the MS-0013 version, available at S4 SUPPLIES in Germany. This is how you know and love the Manta Strobe. It is usually placed on the top or back of a helmet and is primarily used for friend/foe identification. For example, when blinking in infrared through night vision goggles, you simply won't be shot at - and vice versa. It saves lives and helps make life-saving decisions more quickly.

Therefore, the Manta Strobe is mainly used for night operations. And here it shines quite calmly, especially in the infrared range. This allows for quick and easy identification: all friends are flashing.

What's special about the Manta is its shape. It is very streamlined and the bottom is curved. This is, of course, to optimally adapt to the surface of the helmet. And it somewhat resembles a manta ray in the wild, hence the name.

As you can see, there are virtually no edges or other places where something could get caught. Therefore, it poses no danger to use the Manta during a parachute mission or in buildings where you could get caught on something. If it does happen, our Manta simply falls off the helmet. Because it is mounted simply with velcro. And what humans have connected can generally also be disconnected.

The velcro is glued to the bottom of the Manta and holds incredibly well, you can see its teeth here. The velcro itself does not detach from the Manta, and once placed on the fluff, it holds just as securely. Turn it on using the large button on the backside of the small lamp.

Here is the current version of the button, named Hybrid Tailcap. An optimal mix of materials ensures durability and reliability. The button itself has a very good pressure point, which is noticeable even with gloves. Here is an explanation image from S&S Precision of what the numbers on the side represent. We received Batch 69 - nice! Removing the Tailcap of the Manta. It requires some strength in the fingers. But it has to be, because the Manta is IPX8 certified and therefore watertight up to four meters. The O-ring ensures that water stays out. The battery - 3V CR123A - can then be easily removed. A replacement is therefore entirely possible without tools, which is a good thing. However, a replacement is only necessary after 120 hours of runtime. Or, as experience shows, before each mission, so there is always fresh juice in the device.

Speaking of replacement - this is how the Manta arrives at the end customer. Packaging, Manta Strobe with MWA, and a small information sheet.

We received the version MS-0013. This means it illuminates in infrared and white. The complete content of the information sheet will be explained below.

If you were wondering what MWA stands for, it is an accessory for the Manta Strobe called Manta Webbing Adapter.

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