# Defensive flashlights? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 14, 2016, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941 "2016-11-14T06:30:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![IBuildEm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f475e1/32.png) [@IBuildEm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IBuildEm)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/1 "2016-11-14T06:30:02Z")
Anyone carry these? Could be a smart move when you can’t OC or CCW, I see the SureFire brand alot. Anyone have any reccomendations? Preferably not brand specific batteries, and comes with high lumens ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/2 "2016-11-14T09:07:37Z")
By “defensive” do you mean a light that is so bright it might temporarily blind an attacker, or a heavy baton style light that can be used as a club? I have an older incandescent Surefire. It uses 2 A123 batteries and is incredibly bright for its size. But I never really bought into the idea that shining it in a determined attacker’s eyes would do much of anything. They do market them that way though. I just like it because its very small and very bright. For heavier duty use I have an Eagletac LED light that uses 3 18650 batteries. It is incredibly bright and no doubt would make it hard for an attacker to see very well, and it’s also heavy enough to use as a club. Both of them have a serrated bezel that could be used as a sort of cutting/stabbing weapon. I don’t consider any of them to be very good defensive weapons but Surefire and Eagletac are both high quality and very bright flashlights. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/3 "2016-11-14T10:56:49Z")
16 years ago, you were probably limited to just Surefire. Technology has improved to the point where you can get a decent, bright “tactical” flashlight for 20 bucks. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/4 "2016-11-14T11:46:23Z")
In the UK, where almost anything that can be classed as a weapon might be illegal, I used to carry a heavy torch in my kit as a truck driver. I only ever used it as a torch, but it was a little comforting to hold it when walking around in the dark at some of the places I had to go. Other ‘weapons’ that drivers would carry were scaffold tube, a big spanner or a heavy screwdriver. Easy to explain to a nosy cop when they are in the cab or the car, but a torch is best for walking around. ---
**Author:** ![1iLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/1ileft/32/4114_2.png) [@1iLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1iLeft)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/5 "2016-11-14T11:58:16Z")
You might want to [read this discussion](http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?424939-Wich-Tactical-LED-Flashlight-for-defence). Particularly post #12 (Cache) ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/6 "2016-11-14T16:57:55Z")
It’s quiter common for police officers to carry a heavy, sturdy (5-D batteries) flashlight that can also function as a club in an emergency. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/7 "2016-11-14T18:24:14Z")
For what it’s worth, I was recently walking our deaf dog when an off-leash large black Baskerville hound-thing came rushing through the woods toward us, head lowered, growling. His/her human handler was far back in the distance, feebly calling. I desperately wanted to keep the dog away from my dog so she doesn’t develop social issues with other dogs, but I didn’t want to hurt the big black dog. I was carrying a smallish generic LED flashlight, but it’s modestly bright and has an adjustable beam. I put the beam directly on that dog’s eye region and narrowed it to minimum width / maximum focused energy, and held it there. This had several useful effects. [ul] [li]Caused discomfort[/li][li]Temporarily blinded the dog, effectively removing the target of aggression (my dog) from view[/li][li]Induced feeling of vulnerability – blinded dog might rather retreat than advance into the unknown[/li][/ul] While still some distance away, the aggressor dog turned and retreated whence he/she had come. My deaf dog had been facing the other way and seemed entirely unaware anything had happened. I don’t know if it would work that well on humans, but I am definitely carrying a bright flashlight with me from now on. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/8 "2016-11-14T19:43:15Z")
The OP is probably referring to the flashlights with the strobe mode. They flash at full output several times a second. They are very disorienting. I don’t even like to be behind mine when I try it, just the reflection off the walls bothers me. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![SigMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SigMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SigMan)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/9 "2016-11-14T19:55:44Z")
I have a Nitecore P36 LED flashlight, a little bigger than a 2D cell model. Probably won’t make a good club except it has a heavy heatsink head. Runs on 2 x 18650 Lion batteries and puts out 2000 lumens. Super bright and have a strobe function so it’ll do tricks on an aggressor. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/10 "2016-11-14T20:27:42Z")
I have the small [Surefire E2D Defender](https://www.google.com/search?q=surefire+flashlights+defensive&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=svin&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZ-5iGiqnQAhUWS2MKHR-VAa8Q_AUICSgD&biw=1024&bih=672#hl=en-us&tbm=isch&q=Surefire+E2D+Defender&imgrc=RXffX_o6u3PaYM%3A). ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/11 "2016-11-14T20:46:10Z")
There are a ton of [bat-shaped flashlights](http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200594133_200594133) on the market. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/12 "2016-11-14T20:51:55Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I have the small [Surefire E2D Defender](https://www.google.com/search?q=surefire+flashlights+defensive&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=svin&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZ-5iGiqnQAhUWS2MKHR-VAa8Q_AUICSgD&biw=1024&bih=672#hl=en-us&tbm=isch&q=Surefire+E2D+Defender&imgrc=RXffX_o6u3PaYM%3A). I have the same one. It’ll blind someone quite easily, and you can give someone a very stern message to go away by placing that metal tip firmly and suddenly against their breastbone. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/13 "2016-11-14T22:49:15Z")
I’ve got a Klarus X11GT I use in my emergency bag and use Cr123 batteries, which does lower the output slightly. I do like it but as noted in the above article if I was going to use it in a purely defensive aspect I’d (did) practice double tapping the “panic” switch repeatedly before I’d bet my life on it. The other light I have in the car is an [Nitecore MT40](http://flashlight.nitecore.com/product/mt40) which is big enough to use as a club/escrima stick in a pinch. It throws plenty of light as well. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/14 "2016-11-15T02:01:32Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > I have the same one. It’ll blind someone quite easily, and you can give someone a very stern message to go away by placing that metal tip firmly and suddenly against their breastbone. I don’t always carry that but I do almost always carry one of these, [it’s like a tactical pen, with a hard point, but it instead is a flashlight](https://www.google.com/search?q=tactical+pen+flashlight&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=sivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiE1rui1KnQAhXsx1QKHe1kAkoQ_AUICCgC&biw=1024&bih=672#imgrc=UWPll8Nz_XaL8M%3A). That against the breastbone or other places would send a sharp message It’s TSA approved, too (so is the E2D). You can usually carry these into museums or ballpark stadiums or other places where they screen with metal detectors. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/15 "2016-11-15T03:07:36Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > It’s quiter common for police officers to carry a heavy, sturdy (5-D batteries) flashlight that can also function as a club in an emergency. That practice is going away as all the old-school cops from the 80s retire. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/16 "2016-11-15T03:19:54Z")
Just having a flashlight is good defense. It shows people that you are prepared. You might also have a knife or a gun. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/17 "2016-11-15T03:28:44Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > Just having a flashlight is good defense. It shows people that you are prepared. You might also have a knife or a gun. Being Batman shows you’re prepared. So does having a towel. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/18 "2016-11-15T03:39:34Z")
> [@1iLeft](#): > > You might want to [read this discussion](http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?424939-Wich-Tactical-LED-Flashlight-for-defence). Particularly post #12 (Cache) That is a excellent discussion on the effect of stress on people. That’s why I like my [Maglite.](http://maglite.com/shop/maglite-3-cell-d-led-3rd-gen-flashlight-968.html) Bright enough to blind, solid enough to whack, and no fine motor skills involved in turning it on. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/19 "2016-11-15T07:28:12Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > That practice is going away as all the old-school cops from the 80s retire. Hey, I cam e on in '82 and retired after 25 years and then took a gig with another agency, first part-time now full time. In another 10 years I’ll be able to collect a 2nd pension 🆒! And I, like a lot of old timers, don’t carry one of those huge ridiculous lights anymore. We used to call them collapsible flashlights ('cause if you smack someone with it they’ll surely collapse! It’s a joke, lighten up.) The current array of little flashlights are amazing! Bright as the sun, rechargeable batteries last much longer than in the past. They fit on the rail of a pistol. Plus they are much lighter and easier to carry than the big D cell lights. You wouldn’t believe how much we have to carry on our belts now. On top of the usual equipment we now have to carry CPR face masks and just recently have been mandated to carry a tourniquet. It has to be on our person, not in the squad. I’ve run out of room for all this shit. A decent “defensive” light IMHO is the ASP [USB](https://www.copquest.com/asp-tactical-usb-baton-light-friction-loc-batons_21-1185.htm) light. It’s only 100 Lumens but you attach it to a baton. I have one as a back up light. It is barely bigger than the standard cap on the end of an expandable baton. The sound of a baton cracking open has an intimidating effect. ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941/20 "2016-11-15T15:15:07Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > …That’s why I like my [Maglite.](http://maglite.com/shop/maglite-3-cell-d-led-3rd-gen-flashlight-968.html) Bright enough to blind, solid enough to whack, and no fine motor skills involved in turning it on. Yes, get a 3 or 4 “D Cell” Maglite. One whack on someone’s head with that and problem solved. Security guards like these flashlights. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defensive-flashlights/771941.md?page=2)