Posted: 7/23/2004 8:08:36 PM EDT
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are these really worth anything for a non-leo? Does anyone own and use them for their home? I keep firearms to protect my family, and would use one of the tactical flashlights to 'blind' a BG if it was practical, but is it reasonable for me, joe average, to buy one? I guess what I'm thinking is, if I'm concerned enought about somebody at my door, I would already have a pistol in my hand, what good is a flashlight? Tactical flashlights, strategic advantage? or just another wonder product of the marketing machine? |
| I carry one of those 2 cell tac lights in my emergency kit. The light is very bright, and the unit itself is very compact. But the DL123 are expensive. It's a little expensive, but you never know when you're going to really need it. On 9/11/01 at the WTC, i bet some of those people would've given their left nut for a bright light to see thru the dense smoke. |
| I carry a 6Z (now known as the Z2) bezel down in a Comp-Tac carrier whenever I carry a firearm, which is pretty much all the time. Most attacks take place in limited visibility, and you never know when plans will change with little notice and you'll be out later than you expected, or the lights will go out on you. |
| so if a flashlight would be necessary on a emergency basis, would'nt an LED flashlight be more practical for someone like myself? They have incredible battery life and could always be there when you need them. So is the blinding factor of the tactical lights impactical for the average homeonwner? |
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I have 3 D battery Mag-lites also for my house, where you don't have to carry it very far. This flash light with 3 D batteries probably wieghs close to 2-3lbs. It can also double as a club, but a Surefire 3 DL123 batteries is still brighter, like it because of it portability sigarkar: The 3 DL123 battery Surefire 9Z with the 125candle power lamp is absolutely blinding, even in broad bright daylight. If someone breaks into your place at night, this is the light to have, because if you have to attack a burgler it would definitely give you the advantage. |
You need the right tool for the job. There are both really bright and practical bright led lights. Some like the Surefire L2 can fit both roles. There are $5 metal led lights at Wal-Mart (one AAA cell flash lights). Also the Stream light Stylus ($14 dollars at Sportsmans warehouse) are well made AAA led lights. You might want to look into the new Browning flashlights made by Black Ice. LED flashlights are awesome, the battery life is what has me hooked. Never have to replace bulbs either... I like the classic D-Cell maglights, but the bulbs don't always hold up well to rugged use. I have ordered two Sure-fire flash lights from www.eaglefirearms.net they have the best prices on Surefire. Can't beat www.surefire.com for 123 (lithium) batteries (to the best of my knowledge). |
| WARLORD, you appear to be quoting me, but are not, you must have meant someone else. Anyways, the Browning flashlights have caught my attention, but the cost is high. I am not opposed to them if I get what I pay for. Is there an advantage to the Browning flashlights over the the Walmart cheapo's? I want a strong, bright, light, but the LEDs have my attention due to their seemingly maintenance free traits. So.............blinding my opponent is not a significant priority? Remember, I am not LEO, just joe-six-pack who want to have the upper hand on the BG. |
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My $5 Wal-mart led light has held up well. The stylus has held up well. One of the 2-AA cell $11 led lights... I accidently over tightened it, but it still works, just if it rotates it doesn't work. I keep one in my truck, batteries get changed about once a year, not because they have started weakening, but because they spent a year in AZ's heat. The Browning lights appear well made. I understand Black Ice has a good rep. I will upgrade to one in the truck. If you get a big D-cell maglight you can always beat people with it. 
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I'd recommend a Surefire G2 Nitrolon. Only about $30 and very bright. Get a cheapie LED light for general use. I know that it means buying two different lights, but it's still only a grand total of about $40. |
In addition to possibly blinding an adversary, you may need a good light just to identify them and to identify any weapons they may have. You also may need a light that can reach out a bit. LED only lights aren’t very good in these situations. OTOH, incandescent bulbs kill batteries fast. They can also sometimes be too bright and wash out your night vision. Hence the advantage of the Surefire A2 Aviator that I carry. It has both LED and incandescent bulbs. The downside is that it is quite expensive. |
| Pelican M6 flashlight- machined aluminum for $45. Guaranteed for life. Standard M6 brighter than a G2 or 6P ( I have all three). Tail cap switch is $15 bucks. Lamp assemblies are $5. Guy at gunshow beat the bezel on a wood table after I asked if they had shock isolated bezels for the M6. He didn't just tell me that the M6 was superior to my G2 or 6P ... he put his money where his mouth was. My 6P fell three feet and the lamp broke. |
| So what is the most affordable 'blinding light' that is available? Is Surefire the way to go? I like the idea of a combo LED/incandescent unit. Is surefire the only one? does browning make them too? I'm a bit curious since i have a gift certificate for the local Gander Mountain. |
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Pelican, Sure-Fire, Stramlight, Browning (Black Ice). 99- A two-stage Surefire L2 (LED) produces both 65 lumens and 15 lumens for high and low power. The Aviator produces 50 and 3 lumens. per Surefire. I wonder how powerful some of these multi-led lights are vs. single hi-powered led lights. |
That IMHO is the G2 with the bulb upgrade. I had a a guy question its blinding power in a Roadhouse grill parking lot one day at noon and it still put him out of the fight. |
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I have three Surefires that are fitted on two GGG offset mounts and one that I carry alone. The mounted lights are z-bezelled and have red-lens clamp-on filters. For setting stuff up on doors or going quiet, I use the red light. For dynamic shit and going loud I use an open (white) light. I can't imagine how anyone else would shoot in a dark environment after having a light properly accompanying your weapon. LEO, Military or civilian use, if you can't identify your target and what is immediately beyond it, you don't shoot. In the dark , you have to bring your own light... it's just makes good sense to have that light already accompanying your firearm. |
No the blinding light of a tactical light(LED tactical lights are very blinding as well) is just another level of force. If you can get somone to drop their weapon/leave by "blinding" them, than thats an opertunity to de escilate a situation in a non violent mannor and better for you. If not well than at least they can't really see all that well. The other advatage is that, as somone else already posted, most attacks will happen in low or poor light. Having a bright little light gives you the oppertunity to know if your about to blast some knife wielding psycho or little Suzie getting some water, so it's important for target ID as well. If you keep a gun for home defense you should keep a flashlight with it as well. |