I can never think of a time you would need a mirror. WHAT???

[Rick Murchison]

At about $10, a 2X3" glass signal mirror, a device that can be seen easily in the daytime for over 20 miles from an airplane (the only reason a boat can't see it that far away is because of the horizon limit), it's a no-brainer.
Carry one.
Rick

 

[Wayward Son]

It's like a handgun. You may never need it, but if you do need it, you need it real bad & right now, not 5 miles away locked up in your truck.

Pretty odd on his part IMHO, but screw that. It's your gear, your preparedness plan, so just get what you want.

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

Just got my Star Flash Mirror 3x5 which fits nicely in my Dive Rite thigh pocket. Practiced a little with it in the back yard and it was very easy to use. The bright aiming spot made it easy to aim where I wanted to even as I moved the projection point all around. I found it on ebay. I am pretty happy with how it works.

 

[SparticleBrane]

Just got my Star Flash Mirror 3x5 which fits nicely in my Dive Rite thigh pocket. Practiced a little with it in the back yard and it was very easy to use. The bright aiming spot made it easy to aim where I wanted to even as I moved the projection point all around. I found it on ebay. I am pretty happy with how it works.

Glad to hear you're stickin' it to the man.
PS: How's finning coming?

 

[river_sand_bar]

One other item... I just got my new BCD and it came with reflective stripes on it...didn't even notice it when I picked it out, but I sure am happy about it now.

 

[EvaL]

Agreed. I guess it really boils down to how much you trust the dive op you go out with, and how much stuff you're willing to bring on the dive. The LDSs around here don't carry everything I need, so I head to the outdoor/camping or hardware store to get (or make) what I need.
Anyway, I have a signalling mirror (from REI) that allows you to aim the reflection of the sun at a target. Along with a waterproof whistle, it is attached to my SMB, which I bring on boat dives. I've been told a CD serves this purpose just as well. I've also thought of adding an OMS dye marker for those really offshore or liveaboard dive sites but haven't used one yet.
If one is really afraid of being left at sea and forgotten, I guess other stuff to consider bringing are: inflatable float (e.g., Halcyon Surf Shuttle), strobe/backup light, EPIRB beacon with internal GPS, and the following in a waterproof case: satellite phone or VHF radio, and flare etc.
Dive safely.

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

I've been told a CD serves this purpose just as well.

If you read some of the signal review links listed in the this thread, CD's are not really a good choice to use as a reflector. Better than nothing, but they really don't reflect well over long distance even though they are shinny. Also the commerical mirror with aiming spot are retangle shapped and fit better in a bc pocket.

 

[EvaL]

If you read some of the signal review links listed in the this thread, CD's are not really a good choice to use as a reflector. Better than nothing, but they really don't reflect well over long distance even though they are shinny. Also the commerical mirror with aiming spot are retangle shapped and fit better in a bc pocket.

Thanks for pointing that out - I must have missed a few pages of this thread. Will bring the mil-spec mirror instead of CD.
And yes, using hte mirror correctly takes some practice. Thankfully the instructions are on the mirror so I can read it before use.

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

Glad to hear you're stickin' it to the man.
PS: How's finning coming?

Sparti, you are too funny!!! I am not sticking it to anyone! I have rewarded the businesses both LDS and online that have given me great service, great pricing, great gear and so on by giving them my money. Those that haven't, lost the opportunity for the sales of the items I have been purchasing. It is that simple.

It is kind of funny. The LDS that sent me the email scolding me about the mirror thread--he really did say he couldn't ever think of a reason to have one-- told me I needed to do my homework on gear and pricing. I was really tempted to post his email in the thread. Anyway, it cracked me up to read it because I had already done my home work and had already purchased great gear and have local service on all items for much less than I would have through that LDS. Some it is the same brand that he sold, some of it is not--ALL of it meets my particular needs and makes me very happy.

 

[D_B]

Too Funny ... did he even read the thread? ... see any of the links?? ... read any of them???