I’m looking for a light that I can carry every day in a coat pocket.
The purpose of the light would primarily be to cause temporary blindness in case of attack. I guess this means 1000 lumens+.
Ideally the light should be an inch or less in diameter and upto six inches long.
Strike bezel would be OK as long as I could remove it easily - I fly a lot around Europe and don’t want any problems with security staff.
Finally I’d prefer lower cost than higher as I’m looking to buy two, one for me, one for wife.
I’ve pm’d tatasal as I could see things on offer recently. The klarus xt12gt looks great but the head’s a bit large at 45mm.
Welcome to BLF!
Idk how effective strobe is
Especially when you know you usually do not have it on strobe when turning on so it requires some more action then just taking it.
How much do you know about li ion?
Read up on li ion safety, link in my SIG
Then we can help you better.
Pepper spray works much better. Don’t count on a light for self defense. Will likely get your head beat in with your own flashlight if you strobe someone serious about robbing you.
Depends on what you consider cheap. But if you were considering the Klarus light then not to cheap. I’d recommend the nitecore p12gt. If you looking to be on a budget a convoy s2+ with 8x7135 chips. Or have a member build you one with a fet driver. Maybe mitko or another Europe member could build you a light and ship to you. But off the shelf in your range nitecore p12gt, thrunite tn12, tc12, convoy s2+ 8*7135.
Learn the ui well on all my lights different makes and models I can get into strobe without even thinking about it. But even without strobe a full on 1000+ lumens makes it hard to see. But if someone is serious about harming you a strobe will only disorient them for a little bit. I wouldn’t count on it. You turn it on them and run or blind them with the strobe and beat them down. Maybe you should consider a large light. That you can strobe them and then beat them with the light. Strobe alone won’t save you
I just shined 1600 lumen in my eyes and immediately typed this message.
As others have said, bright lights will offer no protection.
You are better off carrying a big stick.
Without knowing your local laws, legal system, representation and plaintiff/defendant rights a flashlight (and a pair of sneakers for a speedy get away) might be your best option. “Lethality” of an object in my local courts is defined as much by intended usage as it is physical attribute. So a rock or a brick used to offensively crack someones skull could be presented to a jury as more lethal than a knife or even a gun depending how an attorney presents usage intent evidence to a jury.
Not sure if you are ready to take on that level of responsibility when it comes to rule of law and self defense in the event that something goes really wrong and you find yourself in a bad situation.
As far as lights go, IMHO you will want as tight a beam profile as you can fit into your intended carry method. The goal is to concentrate as many lumens in between someones eyes as you can. A wide floody beam will be less effective. Lux output into a tight spot will be more important than color temperature, CRI or lumen output by itself. At the same time I don’t think you want something “too” concentrated because missing the target completely will be no use. So aspheric throwers would not be ideal here.
IMHO a smooth reflector design, 6000K, with a high current XP-L Hi. The Klarus recommendation above is a good one IMHO.
You mention traveling and coat pocket carry… TSA at my local airports posts signs that travelers can not carry-on Lithium batteries. I have never had a problem with that but I could see it becoming one.
Not by itself, which is how they are wrongly marketed and perceived. As part of a system with proper training however it definitely could be advantageous if it buys you time as a perp looks away even for a few seconds. That could be the difference between combative restraint and a clean / swift get away.
Your very limited on what you can and can’t carry in Europe/uk anything that could be used as a weapon is a big no no.
So you need something you would have on you for a genuine other reason.
A flashing torch as others have said is more likely to get stuck somewhere it shouldn’t if you try to use it on an attacker.
If your really keen to have something, I’d carry one of those cheap plastic 2 D cell torches, be sure to carry TWO spare d cell batteries though, personally I’d store them together in a very long hiking sock to stop them shorting out
Keep them in your jacket pocket in case you need to pull then out fast in an emergency
