Practical uses for strobe/flash function ?

[scriverdog]

I'm curious to learn how many of you have found the strobe functions incorporated into some torches useful and in what real life situations?

I have become decidely negative about the strobe function (yes, I know opinions vary) because I see it more as a novelty (and in some instances a downright annoyance) than as an essential function, yet it occurs to me that some of you may be able to show me the error of my ways. There must be some reason so many manufacturers continue to offer it.

if you have found a good use for strobe, please share it but let's stay away from "self defense". if I need to defend myself you can be sure the first thing I reach for won't be my torch.

so where am I going wrong here?

 

[yellow]

I have no light, where I get into flash mode, when I do not activate it.

once I used it to signal friends where we walked during a hike. That flashing was really good to see, even in daylight.

 

[JaguarDave-in-Oz]

I'm curious to learn how many of you have found the strobe functions incorporated into some torches useful and in what real life situations?

I'm still waiting to find a "practical" use. The only use I've found so far is to raise my heart rate when I get really annoyed that I've accidently entered strobe mode (and it's always accidental, I'd never do it on purpose).

 

[gcbryan]

I only have one light where it cycles through just like the other modes (and I don't like this setup). If it's hidden until or unless you need it then it's no problem.

Buying lights where you don't have to access the strobes is the solution. I don't see them as being useful except possibly when you need to get someone attention and nothing else works...you fall off a hiking trail, you need to get someone's attention through a locked door, whatever.

I would prefer to either not have them or have them "hidden".

 

[BIGLOU]

I use the strobe function at work to signal tow truck drivers to help them locate me when I'm going to impound a car.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Haven't found any good uses yet, but I guess we'll know one when it happens. I do like the idea of having a slow beacon mode to use as a marker. Thankfully most of the newer lights have UI's that don't require you to see the strobe til you want to.

Geoff

 

[Ian2381]

For signaling friends during night hikes. But mostly just to impress nonflashaholic friends.

My Mini AA with hidden modes is the best UI since I don't have to access strobe when not needed.

 

[umc]

But mostly just to impress nonflashaholic friends.

This and to annoy those same friends. Strobe is the one mode I like out of any "flash" type mode but it's sadly for those reasons so far, but that being said, that is what makes it fun.

btw, thanks for requesting that folks leave out the "self defense" angle. That is the biggest joke I've ever heard and it's scary to think that there are people out there that actually believe their light will be effective for this. :duh2:

 

[BigBluefish]

The only thing I've actually used it for, sor far: I've found my 6 year old and his friends like to add the strobe from my Olight T10 to dancing music, they can have their own little disco.

Things I think it would be good for, but haven't had to use it for: It would probably be useful if you have to stop on the highway, or any poorly lit road at night, and if you have to walk along the shoulder. It's surprising how hard it is to see people at night. That strobe might keep you from becoming roadkill.

It would also be nice to have if backpacking or camping over night. If you get injured, or lost at nigh it might help people find you.

 

[hoongern]

I've had to use a slow strobe (using my LF2XT, I think it was ~ 5Hz) at the side of the highway in the car to warn other drivers.

I also have a flash (2 flashes per second at 30% power - not too bright) set up on my LF2XT which I use when walking at night so that cars can avoid me. I've had to use this when I had to walk along a highway.

I've also taped my flashlights on strobe onto the ceiling fan and turned it on not sure if you consider that practical, but it was sure cool...

But personally, I would never use a strobe in a tactical situation. I think it comes in useful when trying to attract attention or make yourself visible.

Best thing about the LF2XT - I can hide away the strobe/flash modes if I don't want them And the strobe is programmable from different frequencies. I find the slow frequencies more useful.

 

[mcnair55]

When I have been out at night on my bike as I live in an unlit area,I have the strobe mode on pointing down on the road so not to dazzle traffic but as an added aid to them seeing me as traffic passing my place is doing on average 60 mph+,so far am still here writing.

 

[kelmo]

I point my light at the ground and use the disco strobe when crossing the street at night. It works surprisingly well at slowing drivers down!

 

[Ragiska]

wow, another one of these?
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=245453&highlight=strobe

lots of good real world uses in there

 

[novice]

I wouldn't buy a flashlight just because it has a strobe, but I think they have their uses.

We were going to meet some people in a school ballpark area on the 4th of July for a fireworks display. It was already dark, and there were crowds of people in the field, and crowds of people on the sidewalk we were walking down, towards the field. There was no way we were going to spot them, and they couldn't distinguish where we were. By calling them on the cell phone and saying, "Okay, look for the strobe" (I held my Fenix P2D above my head, pointed in their general direction), it made it simple for them to come get us.

I also think it would be very useful for calling emergency responders, or tow trucks, or campus security, etc., and tell them to look for the strobe.

I rarely use a strobe, but I still think it's a useful feature.

 

[summy670x]

turning off the lights in company meetings and activating the strobe mode on my tk-30 was considered extremely practical by all my co-workers :twothumbs

i couldn't help myself ^^

 

[victory]

I use the strobe function when dealing with traffic at work. Gets their attention real well.

It has its tactical uses as well. Makes a nice distraction prior to making someone eat bezel.

I will say that on most lights the UI negates any tactical benefits and it's just clutter.

 

[ghostguy6]

Ive used the stroke on my M21 to distract a drunk with a broken bottle so the other doormen could sneak around him and take him down. I have used it with a traffic cone at accident scenes.

 

[E1B]

yea not really useful...... but at the prison i work at the housing unit that im assigned to there are no cell doors......yea i know crazy but when an offender starts to hang a lil too far out his cell to socialize i just put the strobe on him from the control room and they tend to slide back into their cell......so for me while at work it actually helps

 

[kramer5150]

most definitely... strobing across a large area trying to get someones attention. Me on my phone, trying to hook up with my party or family member across a dark, crowded area at disneyland. But I have to admit, I can just as easily manually strobe my light with my thumb.

SOS is pretty usuelss though.

 

[Advil]

raves