Need a 'defensive' light. P.S. Not your average self-defense light question

[PaleBlueDot]

Hi,

I really couldn't come up with a better title, but this post won't be talking about strike bezels or whatever. I need a light that I can take with me when I walk my dog at night to ward off aggressive off-leash dogs. I was walking my dog with a friend the other night when an off-leash boxer came running at us, barking at my dog. I couldn't see any owner in sight so I flipped out my Novatac Storm and strobed the running dog for a few seconds. It stopped just long enough for me to hand my dog, which is still a puppy at six months, to my friend and asked him to take it across the street while I kept my eye on this boxer. It was about 20 feet away from us, growling, but the strobe kept him at bay just long enough for me to spot his owner walking leisurely over saying 'he's friendly, he's friendly'.

We then made it home safe and sound but I decided to get a stronger light with more throw and lumens and an easier to access strobe.

My requirements are:
1. 1xCR123 so I can hold a leash and the light in the same hand if needed.
2. 200 lumens or more
3. Opens on max with access to strobe from any mode
4. More of a thrower rather than a flooder for longer distances
5. Good tint, neutral white preferable
5. Around the $100 mark

Thanks folks

[greenLED]

My experience with dogs has been that the strobe only keeps them at bay for so long.
I now prefer OC.

[enomosiki]

For 1xCR123A, 200+ lumens, instantaneous access to strobe and <$100 budget, Klarus XT1C will fit the bill. It has a secondary switch you can use to access the strobe mode.

However...

You'll need something with high lux as well as wide hot spot. The higher the lux, the more focused and intense the beam is and, thus, increased dazzling effect. Large spot size will allow you to easily aim your beam at a moving target. Small lights just don't have the necessary power or optics to make that happen.

Anyway, if you are carrying something to deter critters, a flashlight won't do. Investigate if OC pepper sprays are legal to carry where you live. Those things will drive even a bear away.

[rambo180]

Hi,

I really couldn't come up with a better title, but this post won't be talking about strike bezels or whatever. I need a light that I can take with me when I walk my dog at night to ward off aggressive off-leash dogs. I was walking my dog with a friend the other night when an off-leash boxer came running at us, barking at my dog. I couldn't see any owner in sight so I flipped out my Novatac Storm and strobed the running dog for a few seconds. It stopped just long enough for me to hand my dog, which is still a puppy at six months, to my friend and asked him to take it across the street while I kept my eye on this boxer. It was about 20 feet away from us, growling, but the strobe kept him at bay just long enough for me to spot his owner walking leisurely over saying 'he's friendly, he's friendly'.

We then made it home safe and sound but I decided to get a stronger light with more throw and lumens and an easier to access strobe.

My requirements are:
1. 1xCR123 so I can hold a leash and the light in the same hand if needed.
2. 200 lumens or more
3. Opens on max with access to strobe from any mode
4. More of a thrower rather than a flooder for longer distances
5. Good tint, neutral white preferable
5. Around the $100 mark

Thanks folks

Consider the eagletac d25c clicky?

[BLUE LED]

Go for the XP-G S2 version of the Eagletac D25C clicky. This one has more throw than the XM-L version.

[fishndad]

Hi,

I really couldn't come up with a better title, but this post won't be talking about strike bezels or whatever. I need a light that I can take with me when I walk my dog at night to ward off aggressive off-leash dogs. I was walking my dog with a friend the other night when an off-leash boxer came running at us, barking at my dog. I couldn't see any owner in sight so I flipped out my Novatac Storm and strobed the running dog for a few seconds. It stopped just long enough for me to hand my dog, which is still a puppy at six months, to my friend and asked him to take it across the street while I kept my eye on this boxer. It was about 20 feet away from us, growling, but the strobe kept him at bay just long enough for me to spot his owner walking leisurely over saying 'he's friendly, he's friendly'.

We then made it home safe and sound but I decided to get a stronger light with more throw and lumens and an easier to access strobe.

My requirements are:
1. 1xCR123 so I can hold a leash and the light in the same hand if needed.
2. 200 lumens or more
3. Opens on max with access to strobe from any mode
4. More of a thrower rather than a flooder for longer distances
5. Good tint, neutral white preferable
5. Around the $100 mark

Thanks folks

I would reccomend Pepper Spray (please do not use mace).Pepper spray will do the job. I love dogs, all animals in fact as you im sure.
also try giving the boxer some bacon. Boxers love bacon ,but seriously. The boxer although somewhat intimidating is generally a friendly loving breed.

[CamoNinja]

A strobe won't make a dog hesitate. As others have stated. PEPPER spray.

[PaleBlueDot]

Thanks for all the replies! Where I am from, New Zealand, we are not allowed to own pepper spray, bear spray, or however else you would call it. If we were, that would be my first choice. Similarly, I do not like carry a stick around since some dogs are just genuinely curious and do not deserve a smack on the nose but I still don't like to take that chance, especially if the dogs owner is not around.

From my experience, bright lights with strobes do tend to stop dogs. Even if its just for a few minutes but that's all I need to pick my puppy up or leave the area. Plus, I noticed that owners will come running if they see strobes/bright lights since they associate that with cars and police (the only people who carry flashlights in my area) so its a nice way to get an owner here in a hurry if they are walking around somewhere else. Ill look at all the suggestions and report back

[rambo180]

Thanks for all the replies! Where I am from, New Zealand, we are not allowed to own pepper spray, bear spray, or however else you would call it. If we were, that would be my first choice. Similarly, I do not like carry a stick around since some dogs are just genuinely curious and do not deserve a smack on the nose but I still don't like to take that chance, especially if the dogs owner is not around.

From my experience, bright lights with strobes do tend to stop dogs. Even if its just for a few minutes but that's all I need to pick my puppy up or leave the area. Plus, I noticed that owners will come running if they see strobes/bright lights since they associate that with cars and police (the only people who carry flashlights in my area) so its a nice way to get an owner here in a hurry if they are walking around somewhere else. Ill look at all the suggestions and report back

Now I'm reading all your posts with a Kiwi accent talking in my head. Very VERY funny. Beautiful country. Gets real dark at night, good you're here.

[fishndad]

Thanks for all the replies! Where I am from, New Zealand, we are not allowed to own pepper spray, bear spray, or however else you would call it. If we were, that would be my first choice. Similarly, I do not like carry a stick around since some dogs are just genuinely curious and do not deserve a smack on the nose but I still don't like to take that chance, especially if the dogs owner is not around.

From my experience, bright lights with strobes do tend to stop dogs. Even if its just for a few minutes but that's all I need to pick my puppy up or leave the area. Plus, I noticed that owners will come running if they see strobes/bright lights since they associate that with cars and police (the only people who carry flashlights in my area) so its a nice way to get an owner here in a hurry if they are walking around somewhere else. Ill look at all the suggestions and report back

How about (Falcon Eco Sound Signal Horn) although every dog in the neighborhood will start barking.
Really

[rambo180]

How about (Falcon Eco Sound Signal Horn) although every dog in the neighborhood will start barking.
Really

"All horns are made and tested in the U.S.A. and guaranteed to carry the incomparable Falcon sound up to a mile."

Probably not my first choice to ward off a single animal after dark...

[Smokescreen]

Something to think about... What if you ever happen across a dog or person with any kind of photosensitive epilepsy? It is generally not a good idea running around strobing people or their dogs. You never know when you might trigger a seizure in someone or their dog (sometimes they don't even know they're epileptic). If you're worried about carrying a stick to smack a dog on the nose (in case they don't deserve it)... just imagine how bad you'll feel when you send one to the vet because of seizures (or their owner to the emergency room).

On a side note... I was under the impression you can legally own and use pepper spray in NZ. You simply need to go in to your local police station and file a consent form and obtain a permit. It's without this permit that OC spray is illegal. At least this is what I have been told by several New Zealanders including a law enforcement officer from there. I would check into it if you're really that worried about it. OC spray is probably your best bet.

[fishndad]

"All horns are made and tested in the U.S.A. and guaranteed to carry the incomparable Falcon sound up to a mile."

Probably not my first choice to ward off a single animal after dark...

yea well it sounds like in New Zeland they are limited on what they can use to defend themselves with

[enomosiki]

Thanks for all the replies! Where I am from, New Zealand, we are not allowed to own pepper spray, bear spray, or however else you would call it. If we were, that would be my first choice. Similarly, I do not like carry a stick around since some dogs are just genuinely curious and do not deserve a smack on the nose but I still don't like to take that chance, especially if the dogs owner is not around.

From my experience, bright lights with strobes do tend to stop dogs. Even if its just for a few minutes but that's all I need to pick my puppy up or leave the area. Plus, I noticed that owners will come running if they see strobes/bright lights since they associate that with cars and police (the only people who carry flashlights in my area) so its a nice way to get an owner here in a hurry if they are walking around somewhere else. Ill look at all the suggestions and report back

According to Wikipedia;

In New Zealand, pepper spray is classed as a restricted weapon. This means people would need a permit from the police to obtain or carry pepper spray.

Go visit your local police station and ask. Get the permit and get yourself a pepper spray or two.

It doesn't matter whether the target is a fully grown human or a vicious wild animal; a face full of an OC spray will have them crying like a newborn.

Use the flashlight for identification and threat assessment. If the beam from your light stops the critter, back away and put some distance. If it still shows aggressive intent and closes in on you, unleash a stream of pepper spray.

[rambo180]

"sounds like in New Zeland they are limited on what they can use to defend themselves with"

Fair call. Gotta look after number 1.

[Lou Minescence]

Carry a hiking staff and wear steel toe boots as back up to your strobe light.
The strobe light or a bright light only startles a dog. Some dogs are not effected by the light.

[TEEJ]

A strobe won't make a dog hesitate. As others have stated. PEPPER spray.

This is not only wrong, but the OP reported that it did in fact make the dog hesitate. Hesitate is a relative term of course, and may or may not actually solve the problem, which is what do do after the hesitation.

The light buys a second or so to decide what to do next, which is what the OP used it for.

If you make the dog hesitate, and it then goes away, you solved the problem, if the dog hesitates, so you have time to get out your spray, you now have the option of spraying the dog too.



The spray will not stop every thing either though.

[HaileStorm]

Klarus lights generally have quick access to strobe. Check them out.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[xevious]

A flashlight strobe is not very effective for warding off dogs. It may work on some, but definitely won't work on all. I would not rely on it.

If you search the Internet, you'll find hundreds of suggestions on how to deal with a vicious dog. What they mostly fail to do is capture the context properly. Each context requires different techniques to be successful. One thing they ALL have in common is that you should NEVER show fear, and NEVER run away. Always move slowly, gradually. A dog will outrun a human every time, but it can never out think a human.

It's very rare that a dog will seek to attack you. Most of the time they are guarding either their home or neighborhood territory. In this case, you can always get away without harm if you remain calm and slowly back away while facing the dog and NOT looking directly at it (use slight peripheral vision). Lighting up a strobe might just agitate it more and entice an attack.

But there are times when a dog is hungry to attack, and there's little you can do about it. What you do should depends upon the dog's size, their commitment to the attack, and your environment. Some dogs will bluff an attack, racing up to you only to stop at the last second and just growl viciously at you. But you can't count on it.

If the dog is of small to medium size, then stand bold and point in their opposite direction barking "GET HOME" to it as loudly as you can. This is a command most dogs know ("go home", "get home", or something else with "home" in it). Most dogs know the word "home". What this may do it cause the dog to pause or at least stop their mounting ferocity. Repeat the command if this is successful and maintain a stern attitude, then slowly back away.

If the dog is large, it's best not to risk giving it an arm to chomp on. Stand facing it sideways and do not make eye contact with it (look slightly away). Talk in a calm voice and slowly back away from its territory.

If the dog is committed for an attack and you have some time to prepare, then use whatever you have handy to try distracting the dog from an attack. Pepper spray is ideal. If you have a stick, point it directly at the dog and be quick to keep moving it as a blockage point. The dog may be agitated enough to move quickly and bypass it, in which case hold the stick sideways and level with the dog's mouth--it may decide to bite the stick, instead of you. If you don't have anything handy, but you are wearing a jacket, quickly take it off if you have time and hold it wide open as a barrier. If the dog is determined to bite, it will probably bite down on the edge of the jacket or a jacket arm if it's dangling.

DO NOT KICK THE DOG, if it's large or you don't think you can overpower it. You will very likely make it angrier and it will become more intent on attacking you. Also, once you have contacted the dog, it's a signal now that it's "fair game" for it to take the initiative and connect in return, with its sharp teeth and powerful jaws.

If the dog lunges at you, it will very likely go for one of your legs or an arm. Once it clamps down on you, then all bets are off. It's time to turn and attack the dog back. If you have a jacket, the best thing is to envelop the dog with it if you can, at least cover over its head. Whatever the case, wrestle the dog to the ground, as your next priority is to grab a front paw with the intent to damage it. The front paw is much more flexible than the rear one. Grab the paw and bend it backwards with all your might (use the adrenaline power of the situation). You will either break it or do it serious damage. The dog will howl in pain. When the dog is in severe pain, it will be distracted enough to break off its attack. Also, with a damaged front paw, it will find it very difficult to try attacking you again.

Hopefully, the bold display and lack of fear, plus the slow acknowledgement of your backing off from the dog's territory will be enough to avoid physical contact in the first place.


Lastly, if you have a decent sized metal flashlight, you could use this as a weapon to fight back. This is why I like a flashlight with a crenelated bezel, so that you've got an edge to work with. You can smack the dog hard in the face with it. Or if the dog has clamped down on your arm, try shoving the flashlight into its mouth (at least I'd try doing it), if not smacking it hard across the nose.

[Kestrel]

A) This thread is from June 1, I'm hoping that the OP would be set by now.
B) The OP didn't ask for tactics et al, he inquired as to a flashlight for his specific needs as he sees it.

If the OP would like this thread reopened (perhaps to provide an update?), I'd be happy to assist, but for now I think we've covered the situation adequately.

Best regards,