CentralOklahoma, that's one of the most objective, accurate posts I've read in a while! Good job.

A BIG +1 on NOT carrying/using the key chain sized units. When my DW and I started dating she carried one of those. We went outside and I sprayed it at a small tree. She was amazed at how brief the spray lasted and how weakly it was dispensed. She's been carrying either a two or (usually) three ounce spray ever since. The two or three ounce can be carried in your hand when walking through a parking lot and no one will even notice.

Art offered good advice too. Pepper spray isn't a death ray. Even if the bad guy is instantly blinded and in pain he can still make a lunge or run at your last known location; so MOVE. A term I hear at lot from my trainers is "clock-step". Very basic but effective.

The long and short of it is that I really like the stuff. It gives me an option other than going hands on. I had a very aggressive panhandler suddenly remember an appointment (only guessing ) when he thought he was going to get a face full of the stuff.

There are several good brands. I usually carry Fox Labs or the stuff the local police supply stocks. I can't remember the brand and the DW isn't here or I would just check her purse. lol.