and he swears by it. He did a demonstration and talk that was pretty interesting. It looks like it would work in the real world just fine. I think I'm going to buy one but keep the batteries uninstalled in a zip lock bag in the ditch bag. I've had too many electronics ruined by bad batteries over the years to leave batteries installed. I just replaced my "spot" due to battery corrosion. I'll keep my flares and buy new ones as required but I've always worried I would actually have to fire one off from my rubber life raft. Worse yet, fire off a hands held smoke or flare.