Some quick googling research on my part has concluded that Peak Beam Intensity is the thing to chase not lumins when looking for a Self defense mode in a flashlight. My little S1 Baton is 500lu x 3500cd says product info page. However it doesn’t really deter me. So what dose of CDs’ should the light be to effectively deter a mugger’s ability to continue with his advance?
I skim read awhile back (after i bought my S1) that 8000-10000 cds is recommended N.B. info for educational purposes only.
As high as possible. Not too sure that lumens aren’t a factor either. I know I’d rather look in to the 300 lumem beam from my POS tube light, than the ~1000 from my C8.
Can’t help you with actual numbers - it’s like pain, everyones threshold is different. Some people may laugh at 15klux and 500 lumens, others may go semi-blind.
It is after all only a deterrent. Meaning it is not a proactive defense tool.
If you are wanting such a device, carry an extendable baton too 
I have been known to do so at nights, even though it’s illegal to do so here.
I imagine any light of 1,000+ lumen’s set on the strobe mode might be a bit disorienting.
Cheers :partying_face:
Totally agree. I had overlooked strobe in my ramblings 
Yes intensity is important, not lumens. They are often hand in hand tho.
Also think that a low lumen, high lux light will be of narrow beam and so will require more accurate aim. A wider beam will ease aim and maybe affect multiple targets better.
As for figures, people vary so go as high as you can, I think form factor will decide what you ultimately go for. You will also want instant access to at least turbo, maybe strobe so this again limits light choice unless you are a modder.
a flashlight isnt really “for” self defense… it can be a useful tool IN ADDITION TO other self defense.
instantly whipping out a really bright STROBE, at night… is meant to give you time to…
1) get M-O-V-I-N-G
2) get your real weapon out and ready to use it… knife, gun, stun gun, clubbing weapon… etc etc
once you have temporarily disoriented and blinded your opponent? you instantly attack them or flee.
myself, i would think of “attack bezel” on a flashlight as a last resort, not a primary thing.
cops do some interesting training with flashlights, though… approaching a possible threat? the light is held OUT and AWAY form the body? studies have shown that almost anyone, even not familiar with a gun? can naturally “point” in the area of a flashlight and get hits on the body… thats why you always see cops holding the light out and away, when approaching something to inspect the area.
really broght strobes have a temporary blinding effect, sometimes even during the day. I think we all understand this, you walk the bright light across your eyes close by, and you see just a green blob for a while? The effect is pronounced at night if the person has night adjusted sight… you can flash them, then instantly “move position” and then train your gun on them.
if they were going to fire? its going to be blind panic fire at the “old position” of the cop, not his new position.
=
most of us carried guns at work at my last job… i was making jokes about my “tactical” flashlight… honestly joking about it, not thinking it was tactical in any way. One guy made fun of my flashlight… i set my flashlight mode (next mode memory, lol) so when i flicked it on it came on in strobe…
…in a well lit room? i FLASHED HIM… then took 2 steps right over to him, and grabbed his 380 out of his holster… everypone laughed, they thought it was funny…
he was seeing a bright green flashing green blob in the center of his vision…
“crackheads” slinking around in alleys? do NOT like being illuminated, lol… they ooze away like cockroaches form the light…
heck… recently? my headlight, working on the house job i am on? i find myself sitting and talking with the property owner who is working with me… when we take a break, he has to remind me to turn my headlight off… it blinds him when we sit andtalk and take a break…
anytime i turn around and look at him? he throws his hands up to keep from being blinded.
flashlights are… interesting, and useful… i dont think of them as self defense in and of themselves, except for the idea of clubbing some crackhead down with a maglite…
my number one choice for self defense? since i live in the states, is naturally a HANDGUN. I might typically also have a flashlight and a knife on me, just EDC for work and life.
if i were FORCED to carry something different than a gun? my next choices would probably be…
mace (the strong stuff, the oily kind) and a stun gun…