REVIEW: Strobes - Meeting of the Generations

...and with that, we don't mean the Star Trek movie, but three small reviews about rescue strobe lights. Namely and chronologically: SDU5E, MS2000M, and VIP.

SDU5E:

The grandpa among the rescue strobes, so to speak. It has been used since Vietnam, but still performs its task very well. The weight is 214g and the dimensions are 110x50x25 mm.

The only really moving parts are the battery lid and the pressure switch. The rest is an orange, very solid, cast housing - making this strobe waterproof up to 60m (according to the manufacturer's specifications). Special lead-acid batteries are actually required for operation, but ingenious tinkerers have simply built a new lid that allows the use of normal CR123A batteries.
IR and blue filters must be carried separately and attached using an olive plastic housing or a black rubber adapter. Another noticeable feature is the very loud crack of the flash and the buzzing of the capacitor. All in all, a very robust, functional thing.
Available on eBay from $35
MS2000M:

The improved successor. Almost the same size but only 153g light, with an integrated IR and blue filter. It is operated with two normal AA batteries. The IR filter simply flips away, and if blue light is desired, the olive cover must be pushed forward.
To activate, simply switch a slide switch forward. The battery lid is securely attached to the housing with a small steel cable so it cannot be lost. With the MS2000M, the flash can also be heard, but no capacitor buzzing. All in all, a good development.
Available on eBay from $50

VIP:

The youngest in the family. Thanks to LED technology, very small, light, and bright. The approximate dimensions are 75x50x30mm and weighs 112g. Unlike its predecessors, it only requires one battery (CR123A) to emit its green or IR light. It is also completely silent when it does so. To activate the light, a rotating ring must be turned to the desired position. This strobe has three light modes: green flashing, IR flashing, and green continuous light. A China copy of it is also available, but we do not recommend it as a rescue light (Comparison review)
Available on eBay from $120 the copy $25