Self Defense Flashlight

A

ASBOB

Joined
Feb 8, 2008
Messages
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I'm going to get a flashlight for self defense against prowlers/predators both when out at night. or for home intruders. The idea is just to shock temporarily, so I can either get away or get to a phone.

I'm looking for highpower (800 lumens plus), and ease of use. I'll need to grab this fast, and have it at full power; no clicking through different levels.

Also, I need a somewhat directed beam; no area throw.

I am considering the following:

Fenix TK 35

Olight SR51

4Sevens/Maelstrom S12

Nightcore TM11

Thrunight Catapault

Sunwayman 260CS

Sunwayman M30R


What would you recommend and why?
 
i don't have any experience with any of those light except for the catapult. it's awesome. big, thick, chunky light. the build quality is outstanding. the walls of the catapult are just solid and beefy -- it puts maglights to shame.

it's bright too, good enough for your needs, and holds x2 18650's so there's plenty of runtime. or you can opt for x2 RCR123a's if you prefer a shorter profile. there's really a lot of options.


there are actually brighter options on the market now, but i maintain that the catapult has surpassed that barrier of "bright enough."

downsides are's heavy and long, obviously. you won't be EDC'ing this around.


TK-35 I had for a short while and liked very much. It is much more compact, obviously. It's also quite bright and fits your needs very well, I think. But hands down, the catapult is much beefier than any of the options you'd listed. TK35 or catapult, you really can't go wrong. The other lights are probably pretty good too - you have good taste.


gluck in your search! fyi i keep a catapult by my bed as well.
 
Bob:

If you are looking for something that has only one output (high) for self protection, I might not recommend any of those. I have the Fenix TK35, for example, and its an awesome light. If you can train yourself how to use it under stress, it is a "one click" to get high output, i.e., just off and on. But the TK35 also has multiple levels and multiple beacons and strobe (I think 8 in all), and you could easily get lost in that maze, esp if you are dealing with an intruder or bad guy.

I might recommend a pure "thrower" type light, that only has the functions of "off" and "on". That way, when Badguy approaches, you just hit the switch to get "high" output and there is no chance of accidentally getting the wrong function. I have a discontinued light called the Tiablo ACE that only has one output, but it seems that most lights these days have multiple outputs.

Snoop around here for example: link.

So I guess the bottom line is to pick a light like the TK35 for example, and just become very familiar with its UI (its not difficult), or look for a single output thrower that is idiot-proof. I can't really think of one in the latter category, but maybe someone can.

Consider also something like the Streamlight LED Stinger. Its in the "cop light" genre, puts out a ton of light, and is a thrower. Now it does have low and high, plus a strobe (only if you double click) but its very simple to use and I think would be plenty of light to blast a bad guy. I used one last night with a cone to direct traffic. The cone plus strobe is a real attention getter.

Any of those brands you mention should be good. I thought of buying a TM11, as thats one of the craziest lights I have seen in a while, and it would work fine for you, but again it has multiple outputs that you would have to deal with under stress. Any of these lights though, if you get familiar with the user interface, you are fine. It just comes down to whether you want to deal with multiple outputs or not. Most should have a "one click and its on high output" UI.

20120709_162559-1.jpg

You would be 100% groovy with either of these, or similar lights, if you school yourself on the user interface and get some muscle memory going so you can tell the light how to behave when you are under stress.
 
I like the Surefire E2DL - Not 800+ lumens, but plenty bright, compact, and the crenellated bezel would certainly do some damage if you had to strike someone with it. It even has a pocket clip and carries great in any pocket.
 
I have a Maelstrom S18 and it's amazing! It can be set for full on high,is heavy with a solid strike bezel and will definitely momentarily blind/disorient an

assailant.Strobe mode is also very effective.

I have read many posts on many different forums that this is hearsay and anyone determined to come at you will not be stopped by light but I would beg to

differ. You get hit with 100s of lumens in the eyes,you are blinded.

Then again, what the hell do I know?
 
I'm narrowing it down to the Fenix TK35 or the 4Sevens Maelstrom S12, for ease of carrying. Any choices between these two, esp. given Powernoodle's first post?

Also, any personal reviews on 4Sevens products? And if I go that way, suggestions on where to order? They are much harder to find online dealers of than Fenix products.
 
I have/had numerous 4Sevens lights and have ever been disappointed. Order direct from them.
 
Bob: I would not be real hip on the S12, as it uses the 26650 battery. There's not necessarily anything wrong with the battery, but I've never heard of it and I was a flashlight nutcase long before moving to guns and now knives. My point being that it may not be readily accessible if you need to replace it sometime down the road. The TK35 eats 4x123 or 2x18650, both of which are widely available. Just something to think about.

4Sevens products (now called foursevens, as I think David Chow sold the lineup) is well regarded. It, along with Fenix, are the only lights I've carried for years now.

I sent you a PM.
 
ASBOB said:
I'm narrowing it down to the Fenix TK35 or the 4Sevens Maelstrom S12, for ease of carrying. Any choices between these two, esp. given Powernoodle's first post?

Also, any personal reviews on 4Sevens products? And if I go that way, suggestions on where to order? They are much harder to find online dealers of than Fenix products.
Click to expand...

Fenix TK35
 
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