I keep reading on surefire.com that the light can be used as a self defense measure by blinding the attacker, ruining his night vision*. Does anyone here actually know how many amps you need to induce this?

*with night vision I mean street light adapted vision… not full blown desert darkness.

Can you recommend other, cheaper companies which make torches advertised with this function? Like night lite from BHI, do they mention which are bright enough?

well the effectiveness of the blinding trick is questioned many times. But from my experians people can see me after about 2 seconds after i blasted some light in there eye's at close range in almost total darkness.. (was a luxeon III light, so it's certainly not the most powerfull portable light)

cheaper company's sold in holland are brands like NEXTORCH, streamlight and nuwai on rare occasion. There is a also the "police" brand which in my opinion is a piece of junk.

From experience: It works, oh yes, it works.
It will buy you about 10 seconds to either run away or demonstrate that the Goblin concerned has just made a [censored] poor choice of victim.

Take a look at the Inova T3 or T2 as a lower cost alternative to the Surefire lights. I have both models and am very happy with them.

thanks all. Advice appreciated.

Two seconds is an awfully long time if you have a big enough agressive streak.

I carry my surefire when I travel (sometimes 2).. Luckily, I have never needed to use it in such a way. They also have models with bezels that has an impact head which would come in handy (but I don't travel with that one.)

Another tip is to learn some kubuton techniques that can be applied with the torch.

Note that this only applies to a single attacker scenario, and gives you either time to run or counter attack.

I'd like to underscore that this type of distraction only buys you a small amount of time (I think 10 seconds is a a significant over-estimation). You need to use it wisely - run like the wind or otherwise use it to your advantage.

I think folks typically suggest 60 lumens or higher is recommended for this approach.

Note the Surefire G2 is only $36. And it's a darn good light for the price.

-john

That's what I carry in my pocket when travelling overseas.. If the local police want to confiscate it, I have no problems versus one of my more expensive surefires.. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

the G2 is a very good light. i have one of those and a 6P which really isn't worth the extra cost. i've accidentally blinded myself a few times with both of them. the batteries are cheap thru surefire too.

racing to www.surefire.com check out the G2 now!

I thought of the E1e one also because of its brighness and size..

What are the advantages of the 6P over teh G2?

Ive heard the A2 aviator is crap... is this true. To me it seems the perfect combination.. exta bright for range work or self defensive and LEDs for the (map) reading work. opinions... My next fav (to the A20 is the L4, any opinions.. but I think Ill go for the cheapest available.

BTW no one noticed that I wrote amps in my starting post..?? I meant of course lumens! lol

THANKS for the advice all!!

Based on your earlier post, I thought your priorities were price and brightness.

The E1e is a nice light, but with half he battery power of the 6P/G2, it isn't as bright. And it is more expensive (than the G2).



The primary difference between the 6P and the G2 is that the 6P is made of aluminum.



I find it unusual that you've heard that. If you spend some time on CPF, you'll find it overwhemingly has a VERY GOOD rep. But it isn't cheap.



The L4 is also a very nice light. Like a E2e, but with an LED. The only real downside is cost and the fact it only has one output level.

-john

thanks for the info, it really has been useful and know what to look for more now. Sorry for the late reply


Im looking for a cheap one for a friend of mine with self defense function and one for myself...she doesnt want to spend a hundred bucks on it, Im looking at my needs and wants <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'll wear sunglasses at night next time I'm in the UK !!!!!

I'll have to disagree with some of the other people here on the effectiveness of lights. Against someone with street light adapted vision, your light will maybe give you a split second advantage, if any. And probably very little advantage for the 2 cell verisions of the surefires. They're bright, but not blindingly bright. At most, it will probably just cause the attacker to divert his eyes for just a millisecond, but he won't be helplessly blinded.

If you want to just buy a really cool flashlight to use as a flashlight, then i say go for it. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> If you were serious about relying on this as self defense, I'd reconsider, because it will probably disappoint you. There is a very large selection of 2 cell 6V lights on the market. If you want to just try one out, the Dorcy or brinkmann 2x123 lights are just as bright as the E2 and can be found for about $10-$15. Of course it's not as nice as surefire, but it will be a cheap introduction into these lights. Generally, for an incandescent light, the brightness is proportional to the number of cells (volts). Among different manufacturers, you probably won't notice a difference in brightness among lights using similar batteries

I want a light that is small enough to fit in my pocket and will not leave home without it

Has a clip so it is secured inside my jeans

I can blind someone with

That works when needed.

Preferable below $100, so im looking at the Surefire E range

HOWEVER the price difference with the Surefire G2 is massive and although it fits only 2 of the above criteria Im temped to get it and be done with it... is a light really worth $100 I ask myself.

coolness does play a small factor I must admit <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

From what i rememeber, the G2 will only satisfy one of those requirements. It will cost you another $30 or so to get a pocket clip because you will have to purchase the E series of lights. If you want something to blind people with, you should be looking at much larger and more expensive lights. Here is someone else's experience with testing this in real life, and it's pretty similar to what I have experienced.

Tactical brightness

Also remember this is with a Surefire 8nx commander, which is noticably brighter than the 2 cell ones you are considering. Again, do not expect the light to give you anything but a momentary distraction. It might stun and amaze your friends, but if someone is intent on attacking you, the light isn't going to stop them.

In your case, i think you'd be happier with to save up and get the E-series. They're slightly smaller than the G2 and looks "cooler". I'd say buy it just so you can see what all the hype is about. Although for general use, I much rather prefer to use the Brinkman or Dorcy lights. For one, the constant on "clickie" switch is just more useful for day-to-day use, and the replacement bulbs on the surefires cost more than the entire lights for the others.

Consider a Streamlight. The TL-2 fits your criteria and at about $40, you cn get two. The xenon bulb cranks out 114 lumens.

Or you could go with the TL-3 for 211 lumens for $50-60.

The bright lights will probably buy you the time it takes your asailant to look away and reaquire you. Time to cut and run, and if you are fast enough, to get away. Definitely time enough to close and engage. If you are too far away to close, the light probably shouldn't come into play.

this is difficult, i dont want to offend anybody...crappy advice for sure...i bought a surefire p something flashlight...$40...extremely bright, do i really need that? no...$10 would suit me just fine!
be careful and choose according to your own needs!
lots of characters here buy for buying sake ,to look, or seem cool...,a good flashlight is, however, a NECESSITY

everyone here is set on one or two helpful options...but that is their own, ...so, go your own way! learn while you can on your own, figure it out for yourself!...if you cant,you wont make it!

Two seconds is an awfully long time if you dont have a big enough agressive steak

thanks for the advice all, I knew [color:"orange"] I [/color] was going to have to decide! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The 6P/9P is indeed nice, shame they dont come with a trouser clip.

Thats one good, revealing link you posted there! Cheers dude.