Flashlight for doorman/ bar security

[tavdoorman]

Greetings,
I work at a very crowded bar/ club and constantly have to shine a light at people who are anywhere from 5 to 40 feet away to get their attention. The bar provides us with 2d Maglights which work pretty well for this purpose because of the focusing beam. The tight beam is important because I try to not get the light in other people's eyes. However, I would like a smaller light that is easier to carry. I have tried a few small 3 watt LED lights that are perfectly bright enough but have too wide a beam. Anyone have a recommendation for this purpose? I was looking at the Lowes Task Force 3w/ 2d because people seem to say it is a "spotlight"

 

[pfccypret]

Consider any of the Fenix, Surefire, Pelican, Streamlight tactical light. They will all serve your needs. Just find one with the features you want and in the price you range you like.

Specifically, if I was in your position, I would carry a Surefire 6P LED. Long battery life for checking IDs all night. But definitely bright enough to get someone's attention.

 

[MikeSalt]

The new Fenix L1T V2.0 or the L2T V2.0 should serve your needs perfectly. It now features the 'tactical' tailswitch, which, teamed with a good holster will make a truly usable tool.

The only thing I am not sure of is the throw/spill ratio. What Fenixes I have seen do throw rather well though.

Plus, you have the 'low' mode for tasks such as checking IDs.

 

[tavdoorman]

thanks for the quick replies. how would the throw/ focus of the Fenix L2t compare to a Maglight LED 2d?

 

[MikeSalt]

The large reflector of the Mag 2D nominally means more throw than a similar powered, small reflectored light. However, the Mag LED is fitted with an old-school Luxeon III LED, which, by today's standard is seriously lacking in the power stakes. Poor thermal management also leads to lower output. The Fenix L2T V2.0 is fitted with a state-of-the-art Lumileds Rebel 80 emitter. This consumes the same power as a Lux III, but has over TWICE the output! With this much output, the smaller reflector can throw as far as the Mag.

 

[djblank87]

I used to be a bouncer/doorman back in the day and used a SL Stinger for that but it was to big so I bought a 6P and that is an attention getter in lower light area's like a bar, club etc.

Someone mentioned the 6P LED, +1 on that. Longer battery life, bright, it will allow you to light up someone no problem and they will know it very quickly.

I would'nt go with a Fenix light in this case only for one reason, Throw. The throw coming off of a Fenix light is decent but not what you might expect. Fenix is bright enough, not a question there but when you need to really reach out and touch someone the SF 6P LED will do the job.

The reason I mention throw is sometimes you need to light up someone who is 40' plus away and the Fenix in my opinion will not look as bright hitting that person as the 6P LED.


Attention: I'm not trying to start a Fenix vs Surefire thread. So please no wars people.

Good luck with your pick and let us know what you end up getting.

 

[Secur1]

If you don't mind using CR123's then go for the Lumapower D-Mini, for me it's the ultimate pocket thrower and cheap as well.

 

[z96Cobra]

Just for the heck of it, I'll throw this suggestion out there... Get a Surefire U2.

Roger

 

[houtex]

I work at a niteclub and think I can help you on this one.I went for the Inova T2.It's not as bright as other's mentioned but broght enough for a low light club.You're gonna want something that is not slippery,big enough to carry and operate with one hand,big enough to easliy retrieve if you have to front or rear pocket it ,a holster is a must and lanyard so it won't get lost in a scuffle.I tie the lanyard on my light on both ends and slip my fingers through it allowing my to use my hands if needed while the light holds on to me.Will this be coming out of your own pocket or is the club paying?

 

[MikeSalt]

Hmm, on second thoughts, the Fenix at 40' would probably light up a whole group of people, and not just the one you are aiming at. Green laser pointer anyone???

 

[elgarak]

How about the Night-Ops Gladius/Insight H2X Typhoon? Fairly tight hotspot, good throw, plus a strobe mode that might come in handy.

Be advised, though, that I'm not very experienced in your environment.

 

[bouncer]

I used to do that kind of work and would like to again, see the name. That being said I would never shine a light across the club at someone. If they are in the begining stages of being a problem a vocal instruction of the problem needs to be clearly stated as well as the consequence of continuing said behavior. When I used my light in that job was if a customer became a seriuos problem and began to fight security staff usually had someone blind him with light while one or two guys would grab him from behind and escort him out. and for that I carry an L4(and of course a second for backup) which I'm waiting for two cree q5's to install.Most of this doesn't apply for large dance or rock clubs becuse of noise levels and there is no real chance to keep problems small when you see them in these venues it grab em and get 'em out (used to work rock clubs back in the day of huge mosh pits I've half nelsoned more guys and rushed em out the door than many cops)

 

[swxb12]

There's a 1xAA RiverRock brand light sold at Target for $12.99 that has a focused beam. It's rated to run for 30 hours. The metal body of the light is green colored, not to be mistaken for the black $22 1xAA 1w light that has a more standard beam. From four-feet away, the beam is only about 7 inches on the wall, if that gives you an idea. You could return it if it doesn't work out.

 

[greenlight]

Are you using the light to shine at people, or to just light the dark path in front of you? Do you work inside where it might be dark, or in the lobby where it is well lit? Or outside?

 

[tavdoorman]

We have a no hat dress code at the place I work and I am constantly shining at people to tell them to take their hats off because a lot of them get told at the door and then try to put them back on inside. When working our roof deck at night, I also have to tell people to get off the balcony, in which case a light is useful to get their attention also. I would probably spend up to 50/ 60 bucks on it but something cheaper would be nice.

 

[arty]

The older Surefire L1 has surprisingly good throw- I am referring to the one with an optic, and not the latest or the earliest model. I use it with an FO4 diffuser, but it has pretty good throw and a very narrow beam.

A Streamlight tasklight 2L has good throw, but will light up other people.

 

[wjf2000]

How about a d-mini with a smooth reflector. www.batteryjunction.com/d-mini.html

 

[skalomax]

A Streamlight Propolymer Luxeon has a tightly focused beam and loooong runtime.
You could get the smaller 4AA version or the slightly bigger 3C version.
Both are great lights.

I wouldn't suggest Any Surefire 5W lights, they're basically lights with alot of spill, unless you get the Surefire L6.

 

[ZMZ67]

The old style INOVA T1 or T2 with the TIROS might fit the bill.Not overly bright but should be good in a dark club.I think Battery Junction still has the old T1 for around $35.The new T1 is brighter but produces a lot of flood. I have no experience with the new T2 but it is very different in design from the old TIROS model.
FWIW I just compared my D-Mini to my old style T1 in the basement.The D-Mini is substantually brighter but also has a lot more spill light than the old T1.

 

[greenlight]

No hats in this bar!!

We have a no hat dress code at the place I work and I am constantly shining at people to tell them to take their hats off because a lot of them get told at the door and then try to put them back on inside. When working our roof deck at night, I also have to tell people to get off the balcony, in which case a light is useful to get their attention also. I would probably spend up to 50/ 60 bucks on it but something cheaper would be nice.

Where can I get a job as a hat enforcer? Do you tell the kids to pull up their pants, too? That's my kind of job.

When they don't take their hats off, do you really kick them out? How many warnings do they get before they are gone? I'd like some more information about this one.

How can you enforce that, anyway? Maybe your state has an obscure no hats worn inside law?

Back to flashlights: Obviously you need a light with more throw than flood for picking off these offenders. An optic based light like the old inova t1/t2 or the new Surefire E1E would be ideal. The new task force would be nice, too, probably brighter, it's bigger and better as a 'head tool' if you know what I mean.

For closer range, the gerber FIRECRACKER is a nice compact light with a focusing optic.

Or you can just stick with the old standby, the maglite, but that's so boring.