Wish Lust: Beacon- Waterproof,Solar Power Bank,Light and Signal Device

This is mostly a summary of published materials, for a cool piece of tech that I saw come up on Kickstarter, and wanted to pass along to you all, especially in light of my most recent camping adventures where we managed to keep most of our personal technology and lighting charged by a combination of solar and thermoelectric sources.

Smith & Bradley, the maker of tactical and sport watches representing three successful Kickstarter campaigns, has launched its fourth Kickstarter project, The Beacon is a unique outdoor survival box combining waterproof storage for electronics, solar charging, and LED beacon signaling. Enclosed in a light and rugged, efficiently sized package, the Beacon unleashes the power of solar energy to not only charge, but protect, electronic devices. Further, true to its name, the Beacon comes equipped LED lighting for both emergency situations and casual use as well.

These lights are not after-thought add-on's, but rather first rate lighting solutions.

The entire package is crush-proof, waterproof, submersible, and floats even with an electronic device enclosed.The Beacon represents a first-of-its-kind combination of charging, solar, lighting, and waterproof technology. The Beacon allows for storage of two typical mobile phones, contains 3 USB charging ports that can all be used at same time, and a Polymer lithium ion battery. The battery is charged either by traditional wall socket charging or through the Beacon’s high capacity solar panel on the top of the case. The Beacon goes beyond a mere gadget, or drugstore charger. It is a tool that is an absolute necessity for anyone who ventures outside of the urban jungle.
The Beacon is 17cm (6 3/4") x 11cm (4.5") and 5cm (2") thick The interior storage compartment is 27mm (1.06") deep. The Beacon weighs just 15 ounces The Beacon is fully waterproof and is designed to float either empty or with a device enclosed with a device on board.

As a sustainable solar energy source, the Beacon has a fully-enclosed and waterproof solar panel on the lid of the device. Depending on the amount of sunlight, the Beacon's 1.5 w solar panel can provide a full charge to the unit in 36 hours with a 17% conversion rate-meaning that and average iPhone will charge from zero in an hour and a half.
The Beacon may also be charged by a conventional wall outlet The Beacon uses a Polymer Lithium Ion battery to operate the lights and to charge electronic devices and has a 10,000 mAh rating.

 The top of the Beacon is fitted with 12 White High intensity LED lights and 8 yellow hue, low-intensity lights to retain adequate night vision and retain more charge. (TESTED visibility up to 1 mile in blinking mode). As to charging, the Beacon is equipped with three USB charging ports for phones and tablets.
The USB interfaces include 2 ports which are 5v 1.0A and, 1 port 5v 2.1A and the Beacon's built-in battery life indicator shows charge at 25% 50% 75% 100%.

So, it's a fairly well thought out device, I like that it can store and charge two devices simultaniously, securely, safe from both water and other environmental hazards.

Review: Gearward - 24HSD glow tag

I saw these come up in one of my reader feeds, and saw that there was controversy about them, but felt I should check them out myself rather than just take a knee-jerk response.

I'm a big fan of both glow-in-the-dark kit, and signalling in general, and thought it would be worth your time and mine to cover an item such as this.

This is the 24 Hour Signal Device by Gearward, and it's a no frills day/night signalling tool.

You may recall the  SAR Eclipse Signal System I covered ages ago, and also the SAR MoonGlow disk. This product is in some ways like a combination of those two systems.

Combining a slab of the same moonglow plastic as in the SAR disks, and the terminatorized NukoTool ACDT and a mirror finished chrome tag which acts as a signalling mirror. It came bundled with a strip of ranger-band and a braided, waxed cord.

Both tags are in standard dog-tag size and shape and are drilled with a hole to use as a helioscope for signalling, much like the inner segment of the SESS-c.

Still, whilst it has many similar features, these are quite different products, and I have added this to my collection of EDC alongside the SAR systems and the similar, glowy UVPaqLiteUVP products.

I have added my 24HSD as a fob for my phone, seen here in its Strike Industries SHOX case.

More glow is good glow, as far as I am concerned. The big solid block of glowing plastic gave me many hours of illumination, both enough to find my phone, but also to navigate my keys and wallet contents in a dark room. I found it too bulky for me to add to my already prolific neck decoration collection, where as the SAR disk fits nicely there, but if just adding to an existing dog-tag, for example, it might well be just the ticket.

Review: SAR GlobalTool - ODDjob knife

My buddy Spencer of SAR Global Tool has been busy grinding away at his workbench, adding to his collection of edged tools. Check out his Facebook page, to see the amazing reclaimed file and rasp Bowie knives project, and the ever lustful Inglorious Basterds blades.

You may well remember the SAR Global Tool Micro Elite signal disks, the ever popular Moon-Glow signal disks (I have worn mine around my neck for so long the SOLAS tape has worn off, that's saying something!), the fabulous and devilishly popular with the ladies Dead Ringer Ti comb, and the Dog-Tag Eclipse signal system and the even sneakier bladed version.

Now I have one of his awesome pointies.

This is the ODDjob knife, a 1" x 5" little blade made of  1/4" thick CPMD2 steel. This exotic steel has been treated to HRc 59-60 and stone tumbled to give a beautiful satin finish.

Usually featuring a drop point, simple edge,  but Spencer picked out this very nice recurved one for me, because he knows me well. The thinned down blade makes for an excellent pairing knife, just my style.The edge is keen, and easily controlled, even with its unusual curves.

Along with the individually fitted Kydex scabbard, with its six eyelets for lanyard or screw fitting to gear, this little knife was fitted with a really clever para-cord "Always Open" lanyard loop, a particular invention of Spencer's which utilises heat-shrink tubing to pinch the paracord into a loop, giving a pinkie-hooking structure to grip and deply the blade with a quick tug, whilst remaining unobtrusive.

If I wear this knife behind my ID badge lanyard right, only the loop pokes out. Ready for all those odd jobs. The handle features brown canvas micarta scales, cross cut to show off that spectacular grain. and with inlaid signalling mirrors. This was a delightful extra Spencer threw in for me, as the regular ODDjob's are just naked steel.

With the finger notches textured scale and the finger loop, this little knife fits nicely in my hands, aided by the light crenelations on the spine.

I really like the blade geometry, and the uniqueness of the whole piece. If you can score one, when Spencer (and now Scott, too) are at the grinders, they' be well suited to adding to your utility collection.

Review: CE Jay Engineering - Phoenix Jr IR Beacon

As I posted recently, I had a surprise delivery arrive, and wanted to let you know all about it. A "restricted export" item, I feel very privileged to be able to play with it, hard to get out of the US.

This is the Phoenix Jr IR strobe beacon

This 30x20x20mm (1.2x0.75x0.75") block of acrylic weighs only 8.5g (0.3oz) and has a 9v battery attachment point on the bottom, slightly covered by a lip. Inside the acrylic you can see the three IR LEDs and the simple controlling circuit board. Simplicity in design! 

The 9V battery will provide 200 hours of strobing, according to CE Jay Engineering, and even after draining the battery of its primary charge, they suggest that giving it a2-3 hour rest can eek out a short while of extra strobing, in a pinch. The flash rate of 20 milliseconds every 1.3 seconds was specifically chosen to prevent confusion with small arms fire, which is a VERY good thing, to my thinking. 

The clear case, and design allows for a 360 degree viewing angle, from around the beacon, and a 240 degree viewing angle from the vertical( due to the battery, obviously). 

Whilst not "waterproof" the beacon is purported to function whilst immersed until the contacts fail due to electrolytic corrosion. That's pretty impressive. No switches, no moving parts, just the 9v connectors. Plug in a batter, and it's on. Pull battery off, and it is off. 

I tested it with my Yukon 3x42 NVG, placing the beacon on my car and walking down the street until I lost line of sight, and I have no doubts that this beacon would be visible for hundreds of meters more. To get a decent photo, I took it inside, and with my iPhone, took a couple of "down the relief" shots.

Unlike some IR LEDs, those used in the Phoenix Jr are totally invisible to the human eye, with no tell-tale red pulse. This means for covert use, either in static positioning, or secreted on your person, and even through clothes, you can signal to NVG equipped observers. 

I am throughly impressed with this piece, and am going to see a out placing an order for the non-export restricted waterproof carry case for it. I think this kind of item that would be ideal for assisting Search And Rescue teams finding me in the event that I have a misadventure. That or IFF when I am out laser tagging. 

Review: Tactical Whistle

I really am a sucker for shiny Kickstarter projects, and this was no exception. A -tactical- whistle you ask? Well, the Cybernetic Research design engineers built a whistle that meets many aerospace and MIL-spec standards, and designed it to perform in all kinds of environments, conditions and do so well.

It features a "three flute" design which provides three specific "voices" which were designed to increase audible recognition over long distances, cut through the background noises caused by weather, rushing water, air and ground traffic, as well as other noises.

According to Cybernetic Research the primary central frequency is 3150 Hz which they cite government regulations as producing the most piercing sound over the widest range of detrimental conditions. The other two voices are designed to fill what they call the "overall acoustical profile at frequencies between the primary 3150 Hz output and its various harmonics both above and below the primary".

With no moving parts, no rattle, a stepped knurled surface for positive grip under poor conditions, and a really low-breath requirement for sounding it, this is a great little whistle. They offered it in anodised aluminium, stainless steel, brass and titanium. I opted for the OD green aluminium, which weighed in at 14.6 g, and sits all but unnoticeable in my pocket, waiting for a need to be heard. The split ring allows for lanyard or pack-attachment, and I think i'll be adding mine to my keychain.



Here is a video of my testing it, with my iPhone volume app, "Sound Level" , and as you can see, (and hear) it gives a 100+dB scream, and the clip doesn't give the ear-ringing multi-phasic tone justice.

Signalling with a whistle is one of the simplest, easiest and most recognizable means of survival communication, and I can't recommend them enough. This is a whistle that will certainly make an impression should I have the need, and I think I'll be able to depend on it to always be ready, no matter what.

Review: Smith&Wesson - Tanto Neck Knife

This pretty piece of steel was un cadeau for one of my partners, given by the main organiser of an event she was helping to run last week. She was good enough to loan it to me to play with for the blog. This is the Smith&Wesson - Tanto Neck Knife

As far as "thanks for helping out" gifts go, I must say, this is one of the prettier I've seen.

The skeltonised knine is full-tang constructed, with zytel scale sidings and a kydex sheath . The blade locks into the sheath with a friction clasp, and is both light at 100g all up, and dainty in the hand, at 18cm (7") over all, with an 8cm (3 1/8") blade.

Light and lively it suited the  spirit of the gift well, as a neck-knife to affix to the ID lanyards worn at organisers and officials this particular event, for safety needs as they might arise. 

The kydex sheath has two lanyard holes, for cord or chain to loop through, to wear in its "neck knife" configuration, as well as a drainage hole at the knife tip end. It also features a built in whistle, which I can tell you is VERY  shrill. It is placed such that you can use the whistle, AND draw the knife if that fails to have the desired effect. 

The blade is 2.5mm thick, and according to the internet has a Rockwell Hardness of57Hrc. That's pretty good for a 440 steel.

The blade itself is also skeltonised, with two cutouts, further reducing wight around your neck.

The thumb and index finger notches are aggressively crenelated grips, but not so much as to chew up finger and thumb. Without any guard, these crenelations act to lock your hand in tight and off the edge.

The edge is interesting as well, with a "tanto" tip, the main line of the blade is in face concave, with a subtle but significant bowing. This is pretty, but makes me wonder about keeping the blade sharp. I use  DMT diamond sharpening stones and I am unsure if i could get a good mating of stone to steel.

The factory may have had the same problem, as the blade ships only "supermarket-sharp", so I'm a little disappointed by this, especially on a chisel-ground blade. Hopefully I can do some good work with this, maybe a stropping will fix it.

Review: Zazz - Survive Army Fire Steel tool

The good people at Zazz were kind enough to send me one of these little guys this week. I have quite the collection of fire-steel's now, between my Swedish FireSteel (which was a gift a number of years ago, and has a prize position in my EDC) and the fire steels found in both my Gerber Bear- Grylls Basic and also in the Gerber Bear Grylls Ulitimate survival kits.  I really like these pieces of kit. They work in the rain, in the snow and last for thousands of strikes.


This one has some additional features which are worth mentioning. Firstly, a goodly sized ferrocerium rod (all the better for striking with) and a saw-toothed striking steel. The back side of the striking steel is marked with millimeters to act as a small ruler. The body of the striker, as well as being dished to better fit the thumb, is also equipped with a signalling whistle. Lastly, the body of the ferrocerium rod is also equipped with a button compass.

Here are some shots of me testing out the striker, a very impressive rain of hot sparks, certainly enough to light a camp-stove at the first strike, and can get tinder going in no time at all, in good conditions.

Including a compass is a terrific idea, even if it is not up to military grade navigation, it is far better to have -any- compass rather than none at all. Rod and striker are affixed with a nylon cord and a stopper. The cord appears to be sufficient to reduce the effect of the steel on the compass, for rough navigation, at least.

I'll leave you with the packaging, which is quite entertaining in and of its own right.

I'm certainly going to include this is one of my packs, because frankly, not being without a source of fire is something I strongly encourage. Now to decide which one to put it in!

Review: SAR Micro Elites

Here's a little something I've been sitting on for a while. When I put in my last order with Spencer Alan Reiter he was kind enough to throw in a couple of goodies. Very similar to the SAR Moon Glow signalling disks that I've reviewed before (and wear around my neck) are these examples of SAR Micro Elites 
These disks differ from the Moon Glow in that the glowing plastic disk that gives them the name has been replaced with a colourful disk of G-10 fiberglass, the same material often used for the scales of blades, and also circuit boards. These cheery disks have the same SOLAS reflective tape on one side as the Moon Glow, and mirror polished steel day-time reflector washers on the other side. You can see that the washers come in two times, a flat finish on the blue, and a beveled finish on the yellow. The difference being the ability to signal strongly in one targeted direction with the flat, or to scatter light in a wider angle with the bevel. Different designs for different users needs and abilities.

These are great little pieces, and I'm glad Spencer threw them into my last order for me to have a play with. I will be passing the goodness on, in that I am making birthday gifts of these two, and hopefully they will be enjoyed as much as I have in trying them out.

Review: compass

For many years growing up, I would respond to a call of "Get lost!" with the smart-ass reply "I've got a compass", which as you might imagine always made me friends. However, it was true, and a compass has been part of my collection of kit for as long as I can remember. I probably had a Swiss Army Knife first, but a compass was right up there. When I lived in Calgary, and did "Outdoor Ed" at Dalhousie Junior High I picked up this Silva base plate compass, which has been with me since. We did orienteering and map reading, navigation and the like. No one ever really pays attention to those things at school, but some of it stuck with me, and I soaked that class up eagerly. Being evacuated from Dubai at the lead up to Desert Storm, fairly unnecessarily, it was fairly daunting for a young teenager to face the prospect of navigating the badlands and desert of the Arabian Peninsula without an adequate means of navigation. I was taught to drive the 4wd in the desert, in order to get away in case of invading Iraqi hordes, and was probably one of the key events in my desire for preparedness.  The lensatic compass came years later, a Christmas present.

  First the base-plate compass. The hard clear plastic base features three rulers, in mm and two in common map scales, for ease of estimating distances as well as a "direction of travel" indicator arrow to take bearings off. The fluid filled needle chamber is patterned on its base with a series of guide-lines, to assist with aligning to grid-lines om a map when relating true-north to magnetic north when taking readings. The bezel is stiff enough to not slip, but moves smoothly. Neither the magnetic needle or the numbers are luminescent but they are clear and easily viewed in dim lighting.

Here is my lensatic compass, it is a knock-off of a US Army M-1950 model and for what it is, is a pretty good tool.  One of the features of this kind of compass a powerful tool is that they are powerful means of taking a bearing on a distant point. It accomplishes this by means of a sighting wire, and a sighting notch, much like the iron-sights of a gun. You align the wire in the notch on a far away point, and you get a very accurate line to that point. The lens in the sighting armature which allows the user not only to see the measurements from the internal protractor without moving the sighting arms from the bearing, but also enable a much finer markings to be read, again increasing the accuracy of the reading.  Tips on how to do this can be found on the Lensatic Compass Guide or from old army manuals such as here easily enough.

Being a fairly cheap knock off, my lensatic compass lacks the a tritium dial or markings, but the four points of the compass are luminescent. The making lines and the bezel are functional enough, and there are 120 "notches" on the bezel, giving a 3 degree "click" for each turn. A second lens over the long line allows for close inspection of the bearing.

The one problem I have found after quite a few years of owning it is that the fluid in the chamber has leaked, and a large collection of bubbles have entered the chamber, and press down on the plastic disk of the protractor. This causes the needle to be pushed off line, with a real risk of erroneous readings. I'm going to try to repair this, but I'd say that this is the risk you take using cheap knock-off pieces of measurement equipment. Good to practice with, or dangle off my gear when I am doing Stargate lasertag LRP, but not something I would stake my life on in a survival situation. 

Get quality compasses. They needn't be expensive military grade pieces, as my Silva shows, but they need to work dependably.

Review: SAR Eclipse Signal System/Knife

 So, a while back I did a review on my very cool SAR Eclipse Signal System dog-tag which I have greatly enjoyed having in my kit. It features a 3M SOLAS ring for signalling at nighttime, a mirrored steel dog-tag to use as a heliograph for day-time signaling. The backing is a bent steel clip that allows you to clip the tool to your pocket, PALS/MOLLE, a shirt, or whatever.
I've really enjoyed having this tool, and took it with me on my recent trip to New Zealand, having had to leave most of my EDC behind but this stayed with me. But then there was this!


Talking with Spencer, he reminded me that he also makes a SESS with an extra feature: a 6LA4V titanium tag which comes equipped with a tungsten carbide reinforced cutting edge. This is the SAR SESS/with knife. I really like having an extra blade one me, preferably more than on, and I have long been known in my circle of friends to be the go-to guy when somebody needs a knife. With this in my collection, I have one more to add to the pool. The blade fits neatly between the mirrored heliograph and the clip tag at the back. A word of warning, the titanium blade is very keen on both the tip and leading edge, and no wasted space has been included in this tool. Be careful which slide you open it all up from, as this is a tool that means business! There is a well placed finger notch below the leading edge so you can guide the blade effectively.

Spencer, demoing the clips

That's how you do it, folks!

Review: Gerber - Bear Grylls "Ulitimate" Survival Kit

Here is the second of the Gerber "Bear Grylls" branded survival kits that I purchased through Catch of the Day and wanted to share the contents and my thoughts with you. First up, I got a couple of comments from the first Bear Grylls "Basic" kit that I reviewed. I wanted to just say again, that whilst the kinds of antics that Mr Grylls gets up to on his shows might seem to be silly, gross, dangerous, or totally contrived. what he is demonstrating is what you should be -capable- of doing. Sure he has a film crew right beside him, so he doesn't -need- to drink his own pee, or eat his freshly snagged grass snake raw, but he can, and you might need to one day, that's the point. He's made enough of a name that he can put his name to products, and its those products that I want to focus on. When you're wet, hungry and lost, and it's dark, you wont give a damn if you thought the guy looked a tool on TV. Having some good gear stashed in the bottom of your pack will go a long way to improving your situation.

So, with that said, on with the show! This is the "Ultimate" kit. As with the "Basic", it is housed in a ripstop nylon pouch, this time with a whistle fitted to the drawstring. a nice addition. Inside the kit is a resealable plastic bag, containing the rest of the kit.

• First and foremost, I was impressed to find that it included a Space Blanket; the aluminised plastic shiny mainstay of survival kits everwhere. Not only will it keep you dry, but will keep you warm in very cold environments, offer shade in hot ones and act as a bright signal for rescuers to spot. Brilliant. I haven't had one for years, since moving from Canada in '92 and I've felt its absence.

• A little LED keyfob gives a easy source of light (there was a trick to it, PULL to light, there is no switch). 
• A second chunky signalling whistle is always a good addition to a kit, whistles are easier to get a loud, piercing and recognizable noise from than yelling in most instances, I've found. 
• The addition of a multi-tool, in this case, the Gerber Clutch, adds Needle Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters, Fine Edge Blade, Phillips Screwdriver, Small Flat Driver, Medium Flat Driver, Bottle Opener and Tweezers to your repertoire in one compact package. It comes with a lanyard ring, to secure it and has a snappy response in its mechanism. 
• A firesteel and striker are as ever, a welcome addition to any survival kit. The striker includes a bottle opener, great for knocking back a cold one after you stumble into an abandoned diner. 
• Top right in the picture is a wire saw. I LOVE these things, great for cutting branches, broken timber, limbs. I've cleared obstructions and sawn branches for projects with them. Quieter and more precise than a hatchet or machete.
• Fishing kit, including line, four hooks, split shot and swivels. I've carried some fishing kit in a mint tin for years, without having need for it, but I like to think that its one of those things ... who knows, one day maybe I'll just fancy dropping a line in a pond.
• More of the extra long starter matches, and a striker, as in the "Basic" kit, a handy addition for when the firesteel is too daunting to use. The cotton ball for kindling is another nice touch.
• Waxed cotton thread, and a hank of nylon cord are a great inclusion, making a tent from the space blanket, snares, adding leverage to the wire saw. String is always useful. 
• A Helioscope, signalling mirror is a tremendous piece of kit to have in an emergency kit. Glinting light at a target is a great way to attract attention. Be sure you're doing it on purpose!
• A sewing kit is a nice touch, even if you don't have to stitch a hole in yourself, mending your clothes or pack can be a great boon in a touch situation.
• The shiny copper wire is for snares. Hard for little teeth to chew through, setting a snare is a good way to secure yourself a protein boost. 
• Lastly, there is Bear's handbook notes on the Priorities of Survival. Good campfire reading after a hard day fighting off muties.

I neglected to mention in reviewing the "Basic" that both it and the "Ultimate" also include, on the reverse, hand signalling techniques.

So, all in all, a pretty good stash of gear, and all fitting into a little packet, not much bigger than a thin paperback book. I'm glad I got it, it's going into the bug-out-bag that lives in my car.

Review: SAR Eclipse Signal Sytem/Clip (SESS/c)

I thought it was time to review another of the cool products put out by SAR Global Tool as so I bring you this very nifty little survival tool.

This is the SAR Eclipse Signal Sytem (Clip) Bringing back the same amazing reflective 3M SOLAS tape as seen in the MoonGlow but this time mounted to the front of a dog-tag sized steel plate, with a hole centered in the middle, which gives a good sighting point for use as a heliograph. The inner plate is a mirror polished steel dog-tag, also for signalling, in daylight conditions. The third plate is bent to form a tightly binding clip, enabling the unit to be clipped to a belt, MOLLE or to cards and cash as a money-clip.

The bent plate gives enough torsion that the three plates fit tightly together, offering protection and stability in attachment, and the hollow riveting allows it to be fitted to a cord or chain, to make it part of your EDC. It's light, tough and very practical. I look forwards to further testing it out bush and making much more use of it in my adventuring.

SAR Global Tool

Review: Packlight

I am a firm believer in the Kickstarter program which enables people with great ideas but no capital to ask for backers to see them to their seed money. One such project was by the folks at Big I Design who had the idea to pack 45 high performance LED's into a flexible silicone body, make it USB rechargeable. I knew I needed to be a part of this, so I backed them. The reward bundle that I chose was pretty awesome, in that I got two Packlights (one red, one black) with USB charging cords for each, two packets of  Reflective tape and as an extra bonus two Solar Recharging Units, complete with plugs and fittings to recharge mini-USB, phones and iThingies. Pretty awesome bundle. 

I like the idea of a water resistant light source, that I can strap or affix to things and leave there to illuminate. Torches are great, but are not always the best tool for the job. The flexible body of the Packlight means that I can bend it across the back of a pack, the trunk of a tree or onto a wall. Each light has two hanging holes, which will fit a good sized carabiner or loops of paracord lanyards. The ends also house neodymium magnets, the "thin" end makes sufficient contact to support the whole unit from the side of a fridge under its own power. 

One of the most exciting things about the Packlight are its variety of lighting options. A tap of the power button gives a low output illumination of 1, 2 or 3 of the columns of LED's, as a battery life indicator. Holding the power button brings up the lights to full with the following options: Full Power, Outer 2 Columns, Middle Column, All lights flashing in a 1.5 sec interval, all lights flashing in a strobe pattern, rotating column (1, 2, 3) lights, SOS of all lights.

They are -bright- with a listed output of 260 Lumen, I see stars after looking at it.The lights come in at 330g which i think is pretty good considering the size and functionality that comes with the package. 

Aesthetically the only downside is the battery-pack/circuity node, but all that power and programming has to go somewhere, and when strapped to a backpack, I'm sure I wont care. We'll have to see how the USB plug pans out, I have a feeling I will want to tape it over if I know I'm going to be rained on a lot, but otherwise, an awesome addition to my adventure kit!

Review: SARGlobalTool Moon-Glow

Here's a fun little piece that i picked up earlier this year. The SARGlobalTool Moon-Glow. 

What is it is a disk of glow-in-the-dark plastic, with a secondary disk on each side, one of SOLAS 3M high intensity reflective tape, the other of mirror-polished stainless steel. A split ring lets you feed it through a necklace to lay flat. It comes with a bead-chain, but I put mine onto one of the boot-lace cords i wear with my other do-dads and gateaus around my neck. 

How does it work?