Flashlights for self defense

[CQB]

OK, I think that Cree lamp and control chip technology is the wave of the future in portable lights. LED flashlights used to be long running, but less bright than conventional incandescent bulbs. With the 5th generation LED's that are now on the market that's no longer true. Cree manufacturered and powered LED lights are able to be super bright, extremely powerful, and offer extended runtimes.

HERE'S a website that'll probably tell you more about flashlights than you ever wanted to know.

My personal criteria for a, 'good' tac light? It has to run in turbo mode for, at least, 90 minutes. In standard operating mode it has to give me a minimum of an entire night's worth of brighter than usual flashlight use. It needs to be capable of a 225 + lumens light output. Finally, I want to be able to drive over it with my truck and have it continue to function.

If I'm, also, able to get a highly focused beam that throws off very little diffused light, then, that's an extra benefit. As far as I'm concerned the jury's still out on glitzy options like: strobe light pulsing, striking bezels, and infinitely adjustable beams. (Don't think anyone really needs those things!)

Even though I know this is going to cause some waves, I am NOT a fan of fastening a tac light to my pistol - UNLESS, I'm working in concert with other members of a team. As a lone gunman (I like that expression!) I think fastening your light to your gun is like, well ...... suicide.

If I were forced to fight with one of these, 'space age pistols' I would use it strictly as a, 'flash-on/flash-off' light source. Most of the time I'd prefer to move forward in the dark; and I'd think, hard, before sacrificing the advantage of superior night vision by indiscriminately using that light.

I don't like tac lights for combat; however, my last encounter took place at night - in pitch dark where my pistol's, 'night sights' were useless. The event forced me to realize that some kind of light is, indeed, necessary for both target identification as well as accurately aiming the pistol.

I walked away from this experience in the certain knowledge that, while a tac light might NOT be needed in a thoroughly hostile environment and maintaining your eyes' normal night vision can be an advantage, a light is necessary in order to separate, 'the good guys from the bad guys', remain politically correct, and assist you to more clearly remember and later identify any actors who might, otherwise, escape unnoticed.

Subsequent to chasing an armed late night thief off the property when I wasn't using a tac light, several months later, I inadvertently had dinner at a local Friendly's restaurant while sitting directly across the asile from the guy for the entire meal! (He recognized me before I recognized him; and, much as I hate to admit it, if he'd wanted to make a move on me, I doubt that I'd have been ready in time.)

Nowadays, whenever I go out at night in order to check the pastures or star-gaze, I always have my trusty TK11 with me.

[Kappy]

Wow... I never thought there was such a to-do over a flashlight. Here I am running around with a mini maglite for all of my "Honey, I heard something in the backyard" needs. I figure... it's bright enough to light up everything in the backyard, no biggy. Of course, I'm not planning a tactical strike in Thailand... or even down the street... but all of a sudden, I feel a bit... underpowered. I guess I could just hack my mini maglite...

[mojo]

I have an Inova for the back yard and am looking for something for the rifles. If I am in the home and someone dares to encroach upon mine or the misses territory as long as I have the jump and can blind the mfr before he does anything I think I'll be good!

[CQB]

Originally Posted by Kappy

...... Of course, I'm not planning a tactical strike in Thailand... or even down the street... but all of a sudden, I feel a bit... underpowered. I guess I could just hack my mini maglite...

THIS will do it for you, there, Kappy!

(There are other models for other Maglites. Search the site if you need one. You've got to see in order to believe what this new bulb, reflector, and control chip can do for a crappy old Maglite!)

[Kappy]

Originally Posted by CQB

THIS will do it for you, there, Kappy!

(There are other models for other Maglites. Search the site if you need one. You've got to see in order to believe what this new bulb, reflector, and control chip can do for a crappy old Maglite!)

Awesome! I wonder if I can permanently burn the image of the back of someone's eye onto their retina with that? Let's find out!

I'll be purchasing one of those hacks in the next day or so.

Thanks, CQB.

[mojo]

Picked up a couple of surefire clones with the Cree lamps and they do the job just fine. Got 'em today and they have 300, 150 and 60 lumen settings constant and slow and fast strobe as well. Paid not a lot of money for 'em as well.

[CQB]

Wow! 300 lumens is a lot of light! Pray tell: What are these wonder lights, where did you get them, and how much? 300 lumens, I'm blind! I'm blind!



PS: Is THIS it?

[mojo]

They are a Surefire clone using the Cree R2 7090 XR-E Led lamp. I don't have the ability to truly test the luminosity of the lamp but I can tell you that after catching a glimpse of the lamp in the mirror, well let's just say I had a very nicely burnt image on my retina for quite a while after

[CQB]

Cool! Is that a metal or polymer body?

(And how much?)

[mojo]

AL2 aircraft aluminum body and just $29 bucks. Got it here THR Paid, shipped and received all in 4 days.