Flashlights for self defense

Didn't they use that thing in the movie "Krull"? :p

Or maybe it was "The Sword and the Sorcerer"... :p



Seriously, though. We talk in lots of threads about the acceptability of knives in normal everyday society, and some people say that nasty-looking knives are part of the problem we have with knife culture being accepted by the "sheeple"... and then we have to go and weaponize flashlights?

I'm sorry, I just don't see it. If some believe that a simple Kubotan is an effective defensive weapon, I don't see why a flashlight has to have, well, prongs sticking out from it. And nobody is fooled when we give a wink and a nod and say that they're "to let light escape when the flashlight is stood crown-down."

I think that there are things we can do to avoid negative attention.

I had no problem bringing an Inova T-2 on commercial flights back and forth FL to NY last year. If you want them to ban aluminum-bodied flashlights in toto, keep making weapon-flashlights like these. The first time one makes the news in a crime or a questionable defensive use, they will be added to the TSA's forbidden-items list. Mark my words.

-Jeffrey
 
I don't think it is so much that flashlights are used often in self defense as much as saying small clubs or batons with lights are used in self defense. The light projection isn't what is working for the self defense aspect.

Black Bear 84 showed the TIDs. In reality, those are just heated ice scrapers that can be used at night where the light lets you see what you are doing and the xenon bulb produces heat to help loosen the ice that is being mechanically attacked by the bezel points.
 
Concerning that Surefire E2D Defender I am going to quote a guy from another forum and his experience with that light.

I work as an EMT and carry a surefire E2D on belt in the field (I also have an M4 Devastator in my rig). I was attacked once by a gang member who lept up and put both his hands on my throat to choke me. I already had my flashlight out and gave him a swift strike to the rear of his left elbow with the large bezel. I swear he almost started crying by the time the police came in the room and tackled him. The officer who had been standing in the other room and saw it happen marveled at my little flashlight when it was all over. Said he was going to get one himself. I now always carry it whether I'm off or on duty. It comes in handy all the time and it's nice to have something hard and more effective than just a fist to defend yourself here in (anti-self-defense) california [quote/]

regards
black bear
 
I am sticking with my MagLight rechargable. This flashlight is a lot more powerful than a regular D battery model, and it stays charged. The burn time is longer than the regular model also. Being heavy, and clublike, it is very much good for defense. BTW, you can buy about 6 of them for the price of one of those fancy little Surefire lights.
 
Mannlicher,

The torch you have is called the Magcharger, it is the same size as the Maglite 3 D (12 1/2 inches long) and weights one pound 13 oz.
It will produce 200 lumens for about the first 30 minutes, declining in output as the battery (Ni Cad) drains.
However is the best of the Police rechargeables flashlights (Stinger etc) except for the sole exception of the Tiger light that put over 250 lumens.

However all those police flashlights that still cling to old technology Ni Cad are missing the best of the Nimhs and Lithium Ion technology, much more FLAT OUTPUT and the ability to run high amperage bulbs.

I have a little light (made on the Maglite 2 "C" host, 13 oz. 9" long) that I have modified with Lithium Ion batteries, that produces 181 lumens and run for 1 1/2 hours, here is a picture with the comparison of lights and batteries,
The little 2 C light and the two Lithium Ion batteries and the Magcharger with the heavy battery Ni Cad.

batteries.jpg


The little light run the same upgrade Xenon bulb that can be put in the regular Maglite 5 D, the two compare side by side exactly and the difference from 200 lumens to 181 lumens is not noticeable.
Beside the special batteries provide a flat output to the end of the charge.

The technology of Nimhs rechargeable batteries is even better, by using a special battery carrier and special high amperage super-bulb; I can put nine AA rechargeable Nimhs batteries with high amperage and high capacity, and run a 1050 lumens bulb for 45 minutes in a Maglite 3 D specially modified for that.

The special battery carrier

scotchtapenwashers.jpg


Such light blow out of the water any other Police flashlight made today,
Magcharger 200 lumens
Stinger 220 lumens
Tiger Light 250 lumens
Surefire M-6 (six 123's every 20 minutes) 500 lumens.

As battery chemistry is improving constantly, in the future we will have better power sources.
As an example, Sanyo is coming by the end of the year, with a rechargeable Nimh battery that will keep its charge for years (the Eneloop battery) rivaling primary alkaline batteries.

The future will look "brighter" with the new batteries that are close to be introduced in the market.

black bear
 
HI GUYS,
SORRY TO BOTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS, BUT I HAVE TO MAKE A NAME CORRECTION TO COMPLY WITH THE LAWYERS REQUEST

YES, it have been a name change, my light is called now the BOREALIS.

MAG Instruments (the owners of Maglite) has asked me to remove the name MAG from my flashlight postings
It seems that it is a registered trademark.

I am compliying with their request and calling my light BOREALIS.

Thank you
black bear
 
I just bought a 3-D cell LED Maglight. I think it has a 3 watt LED and it seems a lot brighter than my Surefire (65 lumens) G-2.
 
just bought a 3-D cell LED Maglight. I think it has a 3 watt LED and it seems a lot brighter than my Surefire (65 lumens) G-2.

At short distances the LED's will seem to be brighter, but at longer distances the incandescents bulbs will outperform the LED's in detail definition.
Also incandescents are better performers in fog rain and smoke (that is why you don't see firefighters using LED's)

While I like Luxeons lights and I use them, I mostly confine them to house chores and to look inside the hood of the car or change a tire (they are superior here due to the better flood coverage)

cheers
black bear
 
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