School Me On Tactical Lights

[Florida_Tony]

I'm curious about handheld tactical lights, like those Surefire or Fenix lights that people use for EDC (not the weapon-mounted lights). I may be moving to a place where I can't carry a concealed firearm, so I'm wondering about using a tactical light for EDC. Budget is $100-300.

I understand that these lights can be used as an impact weapon, and I've got the relevant hand-to-hand training for that. But what about the light? Here are my questions:

• Is the light a defensive weapon too?
• Will the light temporarily blind an attacker? What about during the day?
• What about vs. firearms? Would a light help you to either evade or close the gap?
• Any other thoughts (good or bad) on using one when you can't carry a firearm?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

[crypto]

About all you can do is get one with a face-grinder and hope for the best.

[Czechnology]

I'm curious about handheld tactical lights, like those Surefire or Fenix lights that people use for EDC (not the weapon-mounted lights). I may be moving to a place where I can't carry a concealed firearm, so I'm wondering about using a tactical light for EDC. Budget is $100-300.

I understand that these lights can be used as an impact weapon, and I've got the relevant hand-to-hand training for that. But what about the light? Here are my questions:

• Is the light a defensive weapon too? In the same way any handheld aluminum tube is, yes.
• Will the light temporarily blind an attacker? What about during the day?Yes, if it's bright enough.
• What about vs. firearms? Would a light help you to either evade or close the gap?It's pretty easy to shoot @ a bright light.
• Any other thoughts (good or bad) on using one when you can't carry a firearm?

It is in no way a replacement for a firearm. It's a flashlight that CAN be used secondarily as a very expensive, breakable impact weapon.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

I recommend a Fenix TK series. They are affordable and durable enough to be used as an EDC, or weaponlight, though they are on the heavy/big side.

[HK45Tac]

JetBeam Baby.

[BullOnParade]

Chiming in with nievety, in a situation vs. a firearm, I would imagine it useful in temporarily blinding your attacker while you MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. they cannot aim if their night vision is compromised (theres aleays the chance they shoot blindly and still hit you). Others with more training will chime in and either confirm or deny my argument.

[Florida_Tony]

JetBeam Baby.

Tell me more.

[maldon007]

Mostly covered so, imo try to get one with at least two power settings (as well as the flashy flash, if you want that)... Cause using a 150lum light (with no low setting) to help an old lady find her lost keys in a theater, is not fun

"...What the hell... I can't see now!"

That is, if you want it for uses other than blinding people or signaling airplanes.

[phil_in_cs]

I've done low light and no light training. Even a 600 lumen light will not stun or even significantly dazzle me. Even when I've been in total darkness for 10 minutes and my pupils are totally dilated. When he flashed the big light at me I dumped a mag in that general direction. He was moving swiftly, so I only hit him twice in the shotgun type pattern my pistol made. Any disorientation it caused only made me shoot faster. Yes, I wasn't very accurate but at the ranges we're talking about here that isn't too important. Don't count on a light to dazzle anyone.

As far as the spikey ends, that's all well and good, but remember the guy you're smashing likely has HIV and/or Hep C, so showering his blood everywhere in a superficial face cut is more trouble than it is worth. Smashing him w/ something is a good idea, superficial cuts are not. If I am going to carry something to smash with, I'd prefer something more substantial that a light.

I carry a 4sevens quark single123 light. The Fenix PD20 is about as good - I just like the switch on the quark better. "Real", meaning surefire 123s make any of those light much brighter than the cheapo batteries sold by most dealers.

[maldon007]

As far as the spikey ends, that's all well and good, but remember the guy you're smashing likely has HIV and/or Hep C, so showering his blood everywhere in a superficial face cut is more trouble than it is worth. Smashing him w/ something is a good idea, superficial cuts are not. If I am going to carry something to smash with, I'd prefer something more substantial that a light.

I was kinda thinking that when I ground off my spikies (and that they poke me in the leg, through my pocket sometimes)

[Walking-dead]

This is what I carry. It's nice because the TSA don't mind if you carry it on airplanes.

http://www.surefire.com/illumination/fl ... /e2dl.html

[Three]

I EDC a mountable tactical light about 60% of the time, more so at night. They can be very effective for self defence. You mentioned striking, they can also be used as a Kubaton for locks/holds and pressure points. Most useful is the ability to hide behind the light when trying to defend yourself in a toe to toe situation. Most any decent light is bright enough at night anyways to make it so the attacker cant see beyond the light, which means while your left hand is keeping the light in you attacker's eyes, he does not see your right flying in to sit him down.

[bladeright]

http://www.chiefsupply.com/3778-Streaml ... zAodwCEJVA
http://www.coastportland.com/a15-led-flashlight.htm



i use both those tons, i believe both have lifetime warranty against bulb breakage or switches going out as long as battery acid isnt present
they are both extremely small, can fit in pocket, super bright and can see at least 100' away easily, can see eye shines and glossy things a few hundred yrds away easily.

[Three]

I've done low light and no light training. Even a 600 lumen light will not stun or even significantly dazzle me. Even when I've been in total darkness for 10 minutes and my pupils are totally dilated. When he flashed the big light at me I dumped a mag in that general direction. He was moving swiftly, so I only hit him twice in the shotgun type pattern my pistol made. Any disorientation it caused only made me shoot faster. Yes, I wasn't very accurate but at the ranges we're talking about here that isn't too important. Don't count on a light to dazzle anyone.

As far as the spikey ends, that's all well and good, but remember the guy you're smashing likely has HIV and/or Hep C, so showering his blood everywhere in a superficial face cut is more trouble than it is worth. Smashing him w/ something is a good idea, superficial cuts are not. If I am going to carry something to smash with, I'd prefer something more substantial that a light.

I carry a 4sevens quark single123 light. The Fenix PD20 is about as good - I just like the switch on the quark better. "Real", meaning surefire 123s make any of those light much brighter than the cheapo batteries sold by most dealers.

I missed this post. All your points are very valid, so no point to argue with that . But I wanted to point out that at a distance the light may make u a obvious target, but in a toe to toe scuffle it does not need to dazzle any one. The simple cover you create with the shroud of light someone cant see past is a huge advantage when hand to hand. Also, the exchange of hazardous body fluid is very likely if you are in a melee fight for your life. If it comes down to "do I want to be beat to death or possibly contract Hep C saving myself", I know for certain I aint going to let getting messy get in the way of me breathing.

I think its good you pointed out the disease contraction though, something most people don't consider, and if excessive lascerations on you or you attacker can be avoided it is certainly for the best. You also pointed out that pointing a bright light at someone isnt necessarily going to make them cover their eyes or turn away, which really brings reality to the fact that your bright light isn't going to scare off people. But with proper knowledge and know how, it can be used rather effectively.

[phil_in_cs]

If I am going toe to toe, I will want both hands free to strike, grapple, retain my weapons and control his. No need for light at that distance.

[Three]

Both hands are still free to strike. It works as a fist pack, a striking tool, and a intsrument for levergage. The same effect you would have using a kubaton which can be a lot more effective then people like to give credit for. Just by holding it in your hand when your hands are up (assuming you know to cover your head and point the light in the right direction :p ), the attacker will have very poor vision about what is going on behind the light.

[Three]

I'm not saying it is a "go-to" weapon, and I primarily carry it just becuase it is useful to have. Especially if your attacker is unarmed, its not something you have to be absoltly terrified of losing to them or being brought up on charges of using excessive force. But I would honestly be with it then without it. As with any improvised weapon there is drawbacks, such as it is not actually a weapon, buth that does not mean it can be effective and very possibly give you the upperhand you need to survive the encounter.