Tactical Flashlights

[Ping]

Strobe would really jack with people who have seizures. Just kidding.

[MikeBjerum]

I pulled the trigger ... pressed the button!  I was in the Cities the other evening for a meeting and took advantage of larger stores to make my first purchase of a "tactical" flashlight.  I've owned Maglights of all sizes for many years, and I've broken more of them than most will ever own.  So, I've been looking for a flashlight designed for what I might put it through.

My first purchase is a Surefire6P LED Defender.  I am still getting used to some of the simple features, but so far I love it.

This is a one strength beam (80 lumens), with a run time of 11 hours (till it is down to one lumen).  It has momentary and constant on.

This light fits my had great for general illumination, defensive striking with its defender bezel (a nasty piece that tore a chunk right out of their oak demonstration board), and exact diameter as a quarter (for those of you that remember carrying rolled coins in the pocket  ).

My only mistake was to not purchase extra batteries right away.  I am surprised how much I use the light.  I have always been cautious about where I park and where I wander, but having the light in my pocket keeps me aware of having the ability to check things in the dark, so I do everything with the full picture in mind.  I think that I even sent a teenage kid straight to the restroom when I startled him.  He and his friends were horsing around in the mall lot last night as I left with a small ammo purchase (not small by choice, but all they had).  I first saw five kids, then on next look I only saw four.  The light was already in my hand, and the bag shifted to my strong hand (but only a finger tip grip for easy drop on the draw move), I changed my course to another row in a wide clear spot, and immediately caught a shape in the shadows of a van.  I believe that he was only trying to scare his friends, but I hit him square in the eyes with a momentary then constant 80 lumen beam.  My shopping bag hit the ground, the jacket flew open with hand on grip ready for draw as he yelled what I think he just did and scampered around the other way to his friends who were trying to figure out what was happening.  I just stood strong as they skirted my area very quietly.  When they were gone ammo was picked up and I was on my way.

I have spent the last 12 1/2 hours remembering similar situations and what I did.  Did I need to scare the kid?  Maybe and maybe not, but I'd rather do that than be sorry ... or have my family sorry.

Is it watching TBD, is it reading defensive articles, is it watching other defensive DVDs, is it the realization that that gun on the body is only a tool of last resort, is it all of the above, or is it something else?  I don't know what continues to hone me over the years, but I hope I never quit learning, and I hope I never need to go all the way!

If you don't have a light ... GET ONE!  If you can't afford a good one right away, Carry what you can afford while you save!  I'll never be sorry for what I just bought!

[1911 Junkie]

http://www.batteryjunction.com/cr123a-qty.html

You might as well buy a bunch. The shelf life is pretty good on these batteries so they shouldn't go bad.

[1776 Rebel]

M58, you will love the Surefire ! I have an L2 model for a couple of years. One tip though...Saw Tiger McGee with a tac lite and on his he had a length of paracord on it, as a lanyard. Damm if that ain't a useful thing to do. I have one on mine and it greatly aids in holding and retaining the light...

I must admit that its main use is when I am on poops  patrol walking my 14lb attack dog at night. It's my civic duty to pick up his bio fuel and the L2 is pretty good for finding it. A funny story that happened just the other week... Its around 11pm and I am bent over with plastic bag in hand retrieving the goods. Of course at 100 Lumens the freaking light on a dark street kinda stands out ! Well who pulls up at the corner just as I flick the light on? A patrol car...It held steady for a number of seconds, and I am sure they were asking themselves what the hell was I doing and what was that light ?

Also my vote for a battery supply for the Surefires is this place.
www.batterystation.com
You get your supply of batteries PLUS either an Otterbox or Pelican box included ! Just happens I took a couple of pics the other day of the L2 and ammo supply....

[CZShooter]

Congrats, m58! You won't be dissapointed. FWIW...Lowe's sells the 2-pack of SureFire batteries for just under $5.

[Sponsor]

[Angie]

I carry a Scorpion Streamlight.  Like my gun, it's something I hope to never use outside of a training environment.  But, who knows where a confrontation will start, move to/through, or end?

[Ping]

Good input and welcome to the forum Angie.

[fightingquaker13]

Ok. Ihave gone from skeptical to interested in terms of the surefire, particularly with the SD end plate. However the whole lumens thing is all greek. Can someone say how the brightness compares to a mini-mag?
FQ13

[MikeBjerum]

Ok. Ihave gone from skeptical to interested in terms of the surefire, particularly with the SD end plate. However the whole lumens thing is all greek. Can someone say how the brightness compares to a mini-mag?
FQ13

I can't tell you how a lumen compares to candlepower, but my mini mag is like a candle next to the car headlight of a surefire!  It is bright and crisp white, and even in a lit room or daylight it is disoriendating.

I know this is all subjective and not objective numbers, but it is real world observation ... and it doesn't even begin to touch on the sturdy structure of a tactical light as compared to a maglite.

[Michael Janich]

  Do the Strobing capable flashlights really offer any higher level of tactical effectivness....  I have considered picking a Blackhawk Gladius up...... But I am somewhat concerned 1. is the strobing effect anymore effective than tapping the switch in rapid succession on any other tapcap switch light 2. When using in a sweeping or search pattern and target is aquired  is strobing effect a disadvantage to you for lighted target illumination  I think it would be a PIA to switch from strobe to solid illumination with one handed manipulation   Any tips tricks or advice     Mike J  Whats the durability and effectivness on one of these  I saw you used one last week on TBD during the non firearms session with Rob P on defensive tactics w/o a firearm

The strobing concept actually began with operators using standard lights and shaking or oscillating their hand to create a strobe effect. Initially, it was found to be somewhat disorienting, but really offered an advantage when it came to plotting the angles of shadows back to the user. When you think of "slicing the pie" with a light, the angle of the shadow points back toward you and will reveal when you break the edge of cover. Intermittent light helps mask this and makes it harder to figure a "reverse azimuth" on you.

Ken Good and Vaughn Baker then took the strobe concept and tested it scientifically on a broad range of test subjects. They used various frequencies of strobe and tested their effectiveness on affecting balance and reducing depth perception and peripheral vision. If the ambient light is low enough for the strobe to have a dominant presence, its effects are VERY real and offer a significant tactical advantage. I also teach the use of the strobe as a signaling device between members of security teams, since it's a great way of getting someone's attention from a distance.

I've personally used the Gladius in Strategos courses and FOF Simmunitions scenarios. I have also used it improvised-weapon (i.e. contact distance thumping) training. It works very well for me.

The only drawback I've found with the Gladius is that it lacks a pocket clip and requires a carrier or dedicated pocket. I'm trying to correct that with the next generation of the light for 2010.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike