Going to stick my neck 'way out here but what the heck. It feels to me like this discussion of what kind of surface indicator to use completely disregards the whole issue of sending them up.
I've carried one for a very long time, with the intent that if, when I surfaced and there wasn't a boat in sight, I'd inflate it to let other boats know I was in the water and as a signal to my boat the same. Most dives in Coz the DM takes care of this so you need never worry about having to send your own reel up.
During my most recent trip to Coz, I decided to learn how to deploy it from depth as a safety measure. Not something I've ever had to do on my own and not as easy as it looks. There are some skills you need to practice! Believe me, I had a couple of faster rides to the surface than I intended! Inflating the tube can quickly make you positive as it fills with air...especially depending on your depth. Then add the factor of current which can dramatically change things....
So while discussion may carry on as to which is the better colour or which is the better type of inflation device, I'd caution that anyone planning to deploy these things that they first have some training.
Hey, I had a lot of things to keep in mind as I did this - what was my depth and how would that affect the inflation, where were other divers (and their lines) around me to avoid entaglement, how did I keep the line clear from entaglement from my gear to avoid a fast ride to the surface, etc. etc.
I know it sounds goofy, but maybe DAN can come up with a certification for this...they've got certs for skills a whole lot less challenging on the scale of health risks. (JOKING!)