I'm not sure if these really count, but I figured someone here would have an idea of what to use these for:
http://www.ownthen...rs/illphoenix.html

I got a bunch of these at an auction the other day (I split a box of 18 with a friend, but I can only find 7 of mine now). They light up with a huge flash once per second in IR-sensitive cameras, but are almost completely invisible in normal light. Anyone know what I could use them for? Infrared photography? Signaling? Missile targeting?

depending on how fast it pulses, and since it looks like its programmable, it "Could" in theory be used th change traffic lights, where they use strobe sensors (exkal knows what im talking about). How much did you pay for them? they look like cool little devices.


Conundrum

Actually I got the non-programmable version, should have specified.

I got 18 of them for $5, looks like they go for $17 on ebay. If I dropped the price to $10 and sold all 18 I could afford something cool, or I could come up with a cool use for these.

Ill buy a couple off you for tinkering if you'd like, i have no problem sending you a prepaid USPS sticker.

Posted by Conundrum depending on how fast it pulses, and since it looks like its programmable, it "Could" in theory be used th change traffic lights, where they use strobe sensors (exkal knows what im talking about). How much did you pay for them? they look like cool little devices. Conundrum

No way.

These wouldn't work with Opticom...they need a very intense burst of IR light, much more than an LED could produce, plus it has to flash I think 25 times a second or something insane like that.

But, they'd be cool anyway...send me one

Looks like the little buggers are for tracking people. people units etc. Maybe a domestic application a tactical idea.

Posted by Mark Looks like the little buggers are for tracking people. people units etc. Maybe a domestic application a tactical idea.

yea, it wouldnt be bad if you were with a group of explorers or something, and you all had night vision, or IR sensitive goggles to find each other

Might be nice to have that on film that you got to some point and leave one. If they werent so expensive. SHow people the flash through night vision. Doing active sites or spy games etc. I'd love them.

yea they seam really cool, wouldn't mind playin around with them.

What would I type in the search field of Ebay to find those things? I've been looking, but haven't found any. I must say my curiosity is peaked.

-Octane

I think I searched for Phoenix infrared or beacon or something.

If you guys actually want some of these to play with, I might be willing to trade a few. I want to keep some to play around with, but if you can find something cool lying around your ham shack / parts drawer /etc that you don't want...

Well I couldnt defiantly use two. I have the night vision to use them as well. The problem is I dont know if I have anything laying around, what are you looking for/ would you sell them?

Posted by ExKa|iBuR No way. These wouldn't work with Opticom...they need a very intense burst of IR light, much more than an LED could produce, plus it has to flash I think 25 times a second or something insane like that. But, they'd be cool anyway...send me one

Just to be technically correct, Opticom utilizes a digitally modulated signal that actually carries information. It is very difficult to create a circuit that can effectively duplicate such a strobed signal. The older version, colloquially known as Strobecom, is more simple pulses.

Strobecom: http://www.tomar.c...ducts/j8/1850b.htm
Opticom: http://www.wattco....pticomemitters.htm

PS, this was my first post on the tech forum.

Welcome

they might be neat to experiment with making an infrared "flashlight" for night vision. Any ideas as to what you may want for one or two, ive got a basement full of ham gear....

You can buy infrared LED's for super cheap, and it will be a better flashlight.

true true