Can anyone recommend a 1x 18650 torch that can be used as a bright defensive light for my wife to use if approached at night?
Needs to be able to go to strobe or max output very quickly and easily and will only need to work on high output for a very short period, say less than 30secs?
Afterwards will need to be able to go to much lower power to light path.
I suggest 1x as needs to pack into her bag….and all that goes with that!
With CV19 ongoing all sorts are seeming to happen here in UK and nights are closing in.
Thoughts gratefully received, thank you.
My Sorfirn SC31 Pro has an easily activated strobe that’s pretty annoying… a double click and then hold.
I only ever use my torch for walking the dog so can’t say how useful it would be
Emisar KR4 - set it to manual memory start up so it goes to instant turbo, but if held down it starts at low
Alternatively, the M2R series from Olight would suit her needs
I have found that in stressful moments trying to double click on Anduril can be troublesome; and i’ve entered the batt check on more than one occasion.
I think one click lights are far easier to access instant turbo
I take my Astrolux EC03 out with me if I have to go out at night, double click for “Turbo”, it`s anduril UI and might need some learning first though 
Thanks for those early responses.
I think if anyone is approached these days at night, thinking straight may not always happen, so a unit that can be a straight forward “press it once and hard ’til it works” will be the best judgement in advance…….
So nice to hear positive answers…great!
The Wurkkos FC11 seems like a reasonable non-enthusiast light for this situation.
Single 18650, integrated charging (USB-C), and shortcuts to turbo/strobe with double-/triple-click, respectively.
I like Anduril lights, but the UI can be unnecessarily complex if you’re not interested in all its extra functions.
does it have to be 18650?
or can the battery be rechargeable
but integrated and not removable?
Turkeydance,
I have a modest fleet of Sanyo18650’s so extending these to this particular additional use is probably a wise move. So yes 18650 and removable. However apart from size, could be 2x18650. I am sure my wife would live with a modest increase in size.
Thank you for your help……
Glock 43.
Sorry not sure what laws you have in UK.
I don't think a flashlight is very good for defense.
I would recommend pepper spray if it's legal where you live.
I have Sabre red pepper spray with tear gas and UV dye.
It's recommended by some police agencies.
In the U.S., it's available from Amazon and eBay pretty cheaply.
Olight Warrior Mini!
Tailswitch that can be configured to have MOMENTARY TURBO + MOMENTARY STROBE while pressed.
Side switch can be:
- double pressed for CONTINUOUS TURBO
- triple pressed to CONTINUOUS STROBE
This is the light I’m carrying currently, bought for more or less similar purpose (not to defend from attack but to signal my presence in the street if needed).
Done 
No, guns are not allowed… Not even a knife unless it’s under 3 inches and incapable of locking
Pepper spray`s not allowed either, only this red dye stuff (criminal identifier) that wont stop anyone 
At Sean Sullivan:
I know this may be a bit weird to suggest and I know it probably doesn’t cover your options/needs, specially in the immediate, and in case you’re facing physically violent crime (involving guns or other weapons).
I would suggest trying to have some Martial Arts lessons with some one that can work the physical and mental shape. Jiu Jitsu would be my personal preference. When I was training, there were young, old, slim, fat, women, man, all the type of people you could imagine was there. Some for competition, some for the sake of learning and training, like me. It gives a better perspective while facing a weird situation.
Having a flashlight may show that people are, somehow, “prepared”, but in case you don’t have other “tools” (physical tools, your body or mental), it may be just another “attraction”.
Hence my second suggestion: “monkey fist” paracord lanyard with big steel sphere or golf ball, or something alike, which is nor necessarily forbidden by the local laws.
My 2 cents! Stay safe
In that case, I would recommend self defense/ju jitsu/krav maga classes. A flashlight will help illuminate a potential threat and (hopefully) very briefly minimize their vision, but it’s only useful if it’s quickly followed by either fight or flight.
With that said, for a potentially under stress situation you need a simple light with an easy to find tail switch. Nobody wants to fumble in the dark looking for the side switch. A tail switch is much less likely to activate inside a bag/pocket/purse vs a side e-switch.
I suggest Fenix PD35tac, streamlight protac 2L, or protac 2L-X. These can all be configured for High-Strobe-Low without mode memory—ideal for the needs you described. The protac 2L only uses 2x CR123 but is smaller and lighter than most 18650 lights.
I also suggest clipping the light onto an inner pocket in the bag so she knows exactly where to find it and where it can be grabbed quickly without having to rummage through the bottom of the bag.
Hope this helps!
I bought the Olight Warrior X Pro for this exact reason and here’s why:
Under stress, how capable is somebody really of figuring out a flashlight UI? Realistically the person is going to do one thing and that is squeeze the switch pretty hard. On the Warrior X Pro, that’s exactly the motion that activates Turbo.
It’s a simple light with a gas pedal UI and only two modes. Half press activates low (300 lumens) and full press activates turbo.
There are some doubts as to the effectiveness of light as a self defense tool, but I will have a hard time believing that 2,250 lumens straight to the eyes at point blank isn’t going to buy you at least a few seconds. It’s literally like looking into the sun. With my eyes squeezed shut the heat is still immense. I can’t imagine looking into that with dark-adapted vision. It should at least buy time to kick an assailant hard in the balls and make a run for it.
My vote is for Warrior X Pro.
Nitecore p20i has 2 tailcap switch. 1 is for direct strobe mode, but i don’t know if it’s gonna be easy to access when you’re panicked.
Do you have some more weeks of time to wait for the real thing? ;-)
Then seek out for Wurkkos TS30 (will soon be announced here by Wurkkos or me).
This strike bezel might be a nice "balls killer" if used in the right moment. :-D
lights are really not a good defense
too much has to happen to use them quickly
and even if you can it is unlikely to deter a day time attacker or a really determined one
wle
+1+1
Some Martial Arts lessons and simulated kubotan…
A lady who will be respected.