Not "used" but "considered using" my Surefire G2X Tactical two times within the last few weeks. One time was in the mid-evening, it was already dark but still plenty of people outside when I went to the ATM and got approached by a hobo (he used that word on himself) who was standing at a kiosk. He asked me if he could ask me a question. I turned around, left hand on the holster where the Surefire rides on my belt and and answered him "Yes, but with two meters distance!" I had to repeat that order and he just lamented why I reacted that way... he finally asked if I had some spare money (of course not, the rest of my words wasn't PC).
The next situation came when I was walking around the neighbourhood (walking in the Nordic Walking sense) around midnight since the schedule of that day and the "steam" in my head after an argument with my wife (not about flashlights ;-) ) just drove me out of the house. Since there are still parts of our small city I do not really know, I went in the direction of a larger sub-suburban living area. When I came to a small traffic circle with three directions, another pedestrian came from the lane in my 8 o'clock position. The lane to my 12 o'clock position lead beneath an autobahn overpass, so I had no real other option than to keep on walking straight ahead. I was a little bit quicker than the "bogey on my six", so I was suddenly in front of him. I switched from the sidewalk to the middle of the street, used my Surefire G2X to shine underneath the overpass (and generally show the "bogey" that I have a situational awarness). While walking in the middle of the street, I glanzed over my shoulder to check where he is, when he asked me a question "Can I ask you a question". This time, I replied with "Yes, but with 5 meters distance" hand again on the already reholstered flashlight and checking any for any defensive means I was carrying. All the while I was walking backwards, hand on the Surefire pouch, checking where I was going and keeping an eye on him, he lamented why I was acting that way and that he only came to live with us etc.... (who in his right mind would react the way I did when walking past midnight, I usually expect not to be talked to). Since he did not stop in his tracks, I decided to quickly walk to the still open BurgerKing. Once there, he too entered the building, waiting 2meters behind me but saying nothing. I ordered a small Coke (good thing that I had my wallet with me) waited till it was his turn at the counter and so that I could use the time to gain some distance.
In the end, what was planned as a "short" 3-4km walk turned into an 11km / 2h walk. Although I had never the need to actually shine the Surefire in someones eyes, I was glad that it would have been available if the situations would have turned out otherwise.
a picture of the traffic circle, my path in red, the other ones in blue.
Cheers
Thorsten