Baseball bat flashlights

BlackKnight86

BlackKnight86

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Joined
Oct 14, 2003
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Hi, guys!

Was just wondering....does anyone here have any experience with these? Basically, I'm talking about the aluminum "tire thumper" shaped mini baseball bats that have a LED flashlight at the tip, and supposedly double as a baton. I just saw one at a recent gun show...it looked pretty cool; but I don't have any information on the quality.

Just from researching, it seems like there aren't any "mainstream" flashlight companies that make them (which tells me something); and I would think that all of the roles that one would play are already covered much more efficiently by other products (which also tells me something). However, from a strictly "flashaholic" point of view, it looked interesting - a "niche product" - and I was wondering if anyone had one, and what they thought of it.

Thanks!

BK86
 
seems like an interesting idea, but I'm thinking a 6D mag does the job with a much higher level of plausible deniability. But I can't actually answer your question, as I have no personal experience with such a thing.
 
Would carry a lot more of a punch, too! I've got the 4D Mag, upgraded to LED; I imagine the 6D would be impressive!

Been doing some more research on these....I saw the battery "case" on one of the AA/AAA bat lights - it appeared to be the same three-compartment "cartridge" that you find on the "3 for $10" LED lights you get at Staples, or Auto Advance, or Cabelas. Here's the one:

http://www.alldaymall.com/lights/fl...-3-mode-led-flashlight-1-x-18650-3-x-aaa.html

(I hope it's okay to post this....I'm not trying to deal-spot; I just can't find an actual manufacturing site to post.)

That's not encouraging...it would mean most of the barrel of the bat is probably hollow; so you wouldn't have the reinforcement that you'd get from the kind of setup like a 4-6 D cell Maglight, which would have the barrel full of batteries. Also, while those types of lights are passable flashlights, it's not been my experience that the switches are very durable. I only buy them as, basically, disposable flashlights that I can keep going as long as possible; but if I lose them or they break it doesn't matter. I don't know if I would go for the AA/AAA version of the "bat light".

Now, I also saw some that used 4 C cells...a bit larger; and the cells would have to go end to end in the barrel. According to one of the commenters, this particular light is sold at truck stops all over the place; and many of them give it decent marks. This is one I might buy just to play with. It would certainly be less of a punch than the big D-cell Mags; but it would be more grip-able for most hands, and would pack a good enough punch to be useful.
 
There are good reasons why Kel Lites, 5 & 6 D cell Maglites and 2# blackjacks are seldom carried, much less used by current LE.

Time and a place for everything..it is not now.

Best.
 
gadgetgeek said:
seems like an interesting idea, but I'm thinking a 6D mag does the job with a much higher level of plausible deniability. But I can't actually answer your question, as I have no personal experience with such a thing.
Click to expand...

Never, but absolutely never, under estimate the value of plausible deniability! :thumbup:
 
I still carry a full size Streamlight on duty, and tactics at my dept are still tought.
 
dano said:
I still carry a full size Streamlight on duty, and tactics at my dept are still tought.
Click to expand...
As a teen I was beat by a cop with a DCell Maglight. Stitches to the head and a broken elbow. Beating was unjustified, but the cop still got a two week vacation/suspension with pay.
 
Unk said:
There are good reasons why Kel Lites, 5 & 6 D cell Maglites and 2# blackjacks are seldom carried, much less used by current LE.

Time and a place for everything..it is not now.

Best.
Click to expand...

It seems to me that carrying a bat of any sort is asking for trouble. A good 3 cell flashlight looks innocent.

I have a 3 cell Kel-Lite. With batteries it weighs about 2 1/2 pounds. That alone is enough reason for them to go out of style.
The vintage is mid '70s.



 
I still have one of those 4 'D' cell behemoths, and take it with me often, I wouldn't mind knowing where a person could get the LED upgrade that is being spoken of though...it would have to be more efficient than the bulbs that came with them. And yes, it does pack a hell of a wallop as I've dropped it on my own foot on more than one occasion so I'm thinking a shot to the head would smart something awful.
 
There's a quality version of what you want. ASP batons are almost universally accepted in police work now, though you will have to check your local laws. I know that many CCW's are just that, and not restricted only to handguns. I tried to find it on the site, but I could not, and I didn't want to link to a non-BF retailer. HOwever, ASP makes a flashlight tailpiece attachment for their baton. You can rest it on your shoulder, using the light, and a 180 swing ought to deploy the baton to strike mode if you needed it.
 
I have a fenix tk70 that you couldn't swing as fast as an asp, but it's got like 2 foot of reach.
 
Talk to my buddy Wayne at Elektrolumens. He'll set you up with a flashlight that could serve double duty in the capacity being discussed.

Although I doubt you'd ever have to hit anyone with this light. If they appeared to be that much of a threat, you could probably just turn the light on and cook them with it. ;)

Kong-21-17.JPG


It puts out over 20,000 lumens if you were wondering.
 
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