Recommendations needed

[cKaiser]

Hey, I'm new to this forum, but I've done a lot of searching through threads and know what I want, but I don't know what exactly exists that would fit my description or if there even is something that fits; I was hoping you guys could make some suggestions.

Here goes:
Low red/green LED high battery life (40 hours +)
Bright white LED(s) for self defense (~100 lumen I think)
Easy switch buttons to switch between modes quickly

Basically my reasoning is for use in survival situations inside have a long life battery for low illumination and incase of fof situation to have the ability to temporarily blind or disorient an assailant and allow for time to think through options. This is EDC btw.

 

[Justin Case]

The SureFire A2 Aviator is close, but it uses a 50 lumen incandescent for the bright beam. The low LED mode also is rated for 20 hrs, not your requested 40 hrs. You can select A2 models using red, green, blue, white, or yellow-green LED colors. Mode switching is easy via a two-stage tailcap.

Edited to say that Lumens Factory sells their HO-A2 incandescent lamp rated at 120 bulb lumens (perhaps ~80 lumens out the front of the light).

 

[VegasF6]

By red/green do you mean you want both, or one or the other?

If you just want red, and an XRE, the coleman exponent should probably meet your needs. It is a nice little package. I have the 2xcr123 version, I have no experience with the 1xcr123, but it sounds pretty nice too.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/subcategory.asp?CategoryID=1110

 

[Ragiska]

you can get long battery life with a low power white also. there are many multiple mode lights which can do both low and high if you do not need red or green for anything specific

 

[parnass]

Have you checked the new INOVA Inforce color flashlights?

 

[cKaiser]

Well I was more or less concerned about night vision and I don't know how well low level white light would meet those demands, and it's either/or red/green not both

 

[roadie]

Have you checked the new INOVA Inforce color flashlights?

jus play it recently, nice light with a hetfy price tag ...

 

[gilly]

If it doesn't HAVE to be red/green, here is a very nice EDC-sized light that runs off of either CR123 or RCR123 batteries, has three user-set modes and will blow you away with brightness or run for 50-60 hours on lowest setting. I just tested mine with an RCR123 on low - ran for over two days. Beautiful little light.

http://www.bugoutgearusa.com/jeprrenoma23.html


checkout discount code "cpfjet" gets an additional 10% discount

Here is an excellent review of the light:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=196577

Good luck

 

[Gunner12]

There's also the LRI Proton Pro.

Would a low white work too?

:welcome:

 

[Bruce B]

Why not look into the Surefire Kroma.

 

[cKaiser]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I think I might look into the jet, the kroma and a couple of other ones you guys mentioned are a bit outside of the budget I set aside for this. I wanted the either/or red/green because I wanted to maintain night vision as best as possible but seeing how difficult it seems to be to find this combo within my budget I'll probably just go with dim white light. Thanks a lot again. Actually it seems that the proton pro is pretty close to what I want having gone through everything again, now I gotta find a good deal =)

 

[Blacklight]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I think I might look into the jet, the kroma and a couple of other ones you guys mentioned are a bit outside of the budget I set aside for this. I wanted the either/or red/green because I wanted to maintain night vision as best as possible but seeing how difficult it seems to be to find this combo within my budget I'll probably just go with dim white light. Thanks a lot again. Actually it seems that the proton pro is pretty close to what I want having gone through everything again, now I gotta find a good deal =)

there is a coleman MAX flashlight for under $30 that has low power red, low power green, and 125 lumen white.

 

[JBorneu]

Photon Proton Pro. Reliable, runs on cheap AA cells and it has everything you want.

 

[snakyjake]

have the ability to temporarily blind or disorient an assailant and allow for time to think through options.

How much are you really relying on the strobe affect of an EDC light to save your life?

Do you plan to deploy (switching modes, twisting heads) the strobe quick enough?

Do you really think you'll have the time to think? Most of the time you have adrenaline, and your body/brain goes into fight/flight/survive mode. If you're lucky, you have the time after the fight to think. Usually takes days to actually think through everything.

There are better options when your life is in jeopardy.

To me, strobe and SOS are hyped, overrated, and just clutter the UI.

Jake

 

[cKaiser]

sure the disorientation is not exactly fool proof but you can certainly condition yourself to use the blinding as a reflexive action, once you stun the other person if you don't have time to think quickly it at least gives you the first strike.

 

[Justin Case]

By red/green do you mean you want both, or one or the other?

If you just want red, and an XRE, the coleman exponent should probably meet your needs. It is a nice little package. I have the 2xcr123 version, I have no experience with the 1xcr123, but it sounds pretty nice too.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/subcategory.asp?CategoryID=1110

The description of the Exponent's user interface (sequential mode cycling via button pushes) doesn't sound like it is suitable as a self-defense light.

 

[VegasF6]

The description of the Exponent's user interface (sequential mode cycling via button pushes) doesn't sound like it is suitable as a self-defense light.

The OP asked for:
Low red/green LED high battery life (40 hours +)

The Coleman provides 50 hours runtime with red led in low, 15 in high.

Bright white LED(s) for self defense (~100 lumen I think)

The Coleman provides 165 lumens on high.

Easy switch buttons to switch between modes quickly

The Coleman provides a simple twist head to change between red and white. In addition it provides low, high, and strobe via the tailcap button, which seems to be the most common way to change modes with most manufacturers.

The OP states he wants the ability to temporarily blind an assailant. If he feels 100 lumens will do so, then 165 will certainly.

I saw no mention of strobes, nor did I exactly see the term "self defense light." I don't even know what that is. If one liked, he could throw it at someone, or hit them over the head with it. I will say if someone shined 165 lumens at your face unexpectedly in a dark bedroom, you would probably turn your head.

In addition, my example of the Coleman feels very well constructed, and includes a momentary switch, which many seem to like. There isn't too many Cree XR-E lights that include 5mm red leds.

Now, I am sorry that it doesn't sound suitable to you as a self defense light. I certainly had nothing to gain by recomending this particular light, only trying to help a new member by providing information. If he feels that is the one for him, great. If not, that is great too!

Have a great day,
VegasF6

 

[snakyjake]

I saw no mention of strobes, nor did I exactly see the term "self defense light."

That's because the OP edited their post.

 

[matrixshaman]

How about :
- High power white LED using whiteCREE LED + 8 Red LED, 8 green LED (total 16 x 5mm LEDs) - this flashlight has 3 buttons that can turn on any combination of these and it comes with a built in rechargeable battery and comes with charger. Around $50 Here but just don't expect fast shipping. BTW I don't consider flashlights to be a very good self defense device. For non-lethal self defense items a high quality pepper spray like Fox or Guardian Angel will be better.

 

[Justin Case]

The OP states he wants the ability to temporarily blind an assailant. If he feels 100 lumens will do so, then 165 will certainly.

I saw no mention of strobes, nor did I exactly see the term "self defense light." I don't even know what that is. If one liked, he could throw it at someone, or hit them over the head with it. I will say if someone shined 165 lumens at your face unexpectedly in a dark bedroom, you would probably turn your head.

In addition, my example of the Coleman feels very well constructed, and includes a momentary switch, which many seem to like. There isn't too many Cree XR-E lights that include 5mm red leds.

Now, I am sorry that it doesn't sound suitable to you as a self defense light. I certainly had nothing to gain by recomending this particular light, only trying to help a new member by providing information. If he feels that is the one for him, great. If not, that is great too!

Have a great day,
VegasF6

Please don't take it so personally. It doesn't sound suitable to me, just as it does sound suitable to you. That's all. We are all trying to help the OP.

Here's the point.

"fof" and "temporarily blind ... an assailant" is most clearly "self-defense". Do you know what "fof" is? Force on force (though in my experience most often used in the context of training against role players). Having to press cycle through modes in such a situation is not what I would recommend. One may think that it is easy to count the cycles and quickly press cycle to the mode of choice. And that is probably true in the calm of the home or office. But in "fof" or self-defense, when people can't even accurately count how many shots they fired, I question that premise. Plus, quickly cycling to the mode of choice is not immediate access to the mode of choice.

I made no comment on any need for a strobe function.

My view is that for self-defense, max brightness mode must be immediately available. It isn't a matter of having 100 lumens vs 165 lumens. If high mode isn't available immediately, then IMO the light is completely unsuitable for the application. My position is that I would never recommend such a light to someone for a "fof" application, especially when there are other, better options. If I have a good high mode, I also can mimic a useful strobe, so I don't need a dedicated strobe function.

If you are in low mode with the Exponent, how can you get to high mode immediately to "temporarily blind ... an assailant"? You may have only a very short window of opportunity.