Budget flash light for self defence , any ideas ?

Hi ,

Basically I am looking for a tactical flashlight that I can keep in the car to use for self defense by shining in the face of an attacker. This is after a narrow escape from an attempted carjacking in a bad part of town.

I live in a country with strict weapon laws so a tactical flashlight is about all I can legally carry.

I am not the most technically minded person and a newbie to the flashlight world so I am a bit overwhelmed with the amount of options out there and all the talk of programming and firmware and different battery types.

I guess I just want something that is as bright/powerful that it is very uncomfortable to have pointed in your eyes at a close range , easy to charge with usb or takes regular easy to source batteries. Also something that is uncomplicated and more or less on or off button so that it is easy to quickly turn it on to a bright setting.

So far this BLF A6 model looks good; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0cNfyuNjIE

Thanks for any recommendations that you have,

J

Just curious, how effective is a flashlight as a self-defense device?

About as effective as G29 Underwood loaded is for illumination.

Maglite 6D is pretty effective :slight_smile:
Mike

Meh…real flashlight enthusiasts reload their own.

For a smallish, compact light, the Emisar D4V2, set for Turbo, might just be the ticket for the OP.

Chris

If you’re keeping it in the car, Sofirn SP31 v2.0 may be a good choice. Simple forward-clicky (aka “tactical”) tailswitch for on/off/momentary and side button for changing modes, compatible with either 18650 rechargeable or two CR123s if you plan on stashing it for a long time or in cold weather. Bright enough and gives light when you need it. However, a self defense weapon it is not. Perhaps a self defense tool.

You're going to love it here, jambon!

My favorite pocketable torch for self-defense is the Wowtac BSS V3. I bought one on Amazon mid-last year for $40 with a code.

Bright enough to temporarily stun/disorient a person, so that you could fight or flight. The removable, aggressive crenelated bezel, would serve you well if you needed to strike an attacker.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/392434516797

This still only 10.99 on amazon Tacklife LFL3A $8.99 comes with battery, you can charge it with your phone micro usb charger , and most importantly plenty of heft in case you need to hammer some one with it.

If someone can maneuver and fight after half a can of OC+CS to the face no handheld flashlight is going to do anything.

Flashlights allow you to see your surroundings and show to others that you are alert. That can be a deterrent or preventative safety measure, nothing more.

Like the man said, 6D M@g.

My neighbor used to call me to help her break up her teenager’s parties when they got out of hand and she wanted everyone to go home.

To quote a man who thinks very much the same way I do. “Flashlights, rubber chickens and kazoos are not defensive tools.” texas shooter.

Don’t fool yourself into a false sense of security. If where you live has strict weapon laws then you will be quite limited. I am sure they already have guidelines as to what they consider a weapon as well as the perceived intent of the person carrying such a tool. Some places don’t have a restriction on baseball bats but, if they have a reasonable suspicion that you are carrying it as a weapon and not for hitting baseballs then, you could get yourself in trouble.

Use your flashlight as the tool it is. Use it as part of a bigger plan. Whatever plan you can put together with the restrictions in your area.

It's not budget but the Olight Warrior x pro would fill the bill. Extremely bright, simple operation-half press for low, full press for turbo. That's it. No strobe though. Respectability sharp crenallated bezel jammed into the carotid would give one pause in a fight. And it's a beautiful light and really, really built.

i would not depend on it
a drug crazed nut will not be deterred
plus the bright light gives a target to grab, or shoot which is also one of your hands and pretty close to your vital organs
plus the bad guy can always squint or just look away
not a good idea mostly

wle

like many said it wont help much, but if you must have one, get one with crazy amount of lumens, the more the better, this is the only way to buy yourself few seconds to get away.

I’m always feeling very comfortable walking the dog with a Sofirn Q8 in my coat pocket.
You can hold it in a firm grip, weighs 1,33 pound, and has a modest crenelated SS bezel.
With micro sideswitch, double-click turbo, double-click strobe and, oh yeah 5,000 lumens.
I would call it a long range flooder. You don’t have to be a marksman to blind somebody.

Even a 2D Mag can be a decent club, if held by the shiny part. You want it filled with alkaleaks, and use the tail end for clubbin’.

A longer one (eg, 6D if you can get one) gives more reach and puts more weight behind the swing.

Else an open-top box with lots of spraycans (paint, brake-cleaner, acid, poison, etc.) with things like paper-towels, etc., can provide something noxious to spray the cretin right in the face/eyes.

“Hey, I was getting carjacked, so I grabbed the first thing that was available!”

Wonder what happened to the bat-light that was also a brick-smaher and glass-broker…

I recommend a 450MM adjustable wrench tucked up next to the E-brake. A flashlight is not going to do much, but cars always need fixin and wrenches are what you use to fix one. I hear larger ones work for workin on bad guys too. Alibi built in to the car.

Defend yourself as if your life depends on it. It may very well depend on it.

First figure how much your life is worth and work the budget around that. Remember while you’re trying to shine that light in his eyes he may be beating your brains out. So while you’re in your car looking for that flashlight to fend off the carjackers. Most cars come equipped with an accelerated or gas pedal, press it instead and the horn. From what I’ve seen over the years until you get over 20 MPH or so you’ll have very little car damage from people.