still dont know what to edc

[raggie33]

was going to go with zebra 550 lumen aa light .but then i wondered will it stop or at least slow down a attacker .

 

[thermal guy]

No light will do that. Edc what works for you in the lighting area not protection. Just my 2 cents

 

[raggie33]

i almost went with my emisar dv42 . but i think to self if im in a place i cant rechgarge my cells. and the zebra uses batteries sold every place in the world

 

[Dicaeopolis]

You can always get something with a crenelated bezel, like the Elzetta Alpha. It has decent lumens and a tough strike bezel.

 

[thermal guy]

Yes, there you go. It's taboo to talk about it in detail here but get an elzetta Charlie With a strike bezel. It's got good length and rock solid. It's tougher then a malkoff if you can believe that and can be used for protection.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

It's better to stop an attacker with a swift kick to the face or groin than rely on a flashlight for that task. Get what works best for your lighting needs, and learn martial arts for self-defense. A flashlight won't kick a bad guy's butt for you no matter how much you spend.

 

[raggie33]

i want to keep my distance .

 

[3_gun]

Acebeam E70@4000L provides the light; 124gr +P 9mm provides the stop. Confusing the two just makes you dead. A flashlight is a weapon when your pepper spray is empty, the stun gun dead, your pistol is at slide lock & your knife is broken

 

[richbuff]

No light will do that. Edc what works for you in the lighting area not protection. Just my 2 cents

This is the correct answer to the question posed by this topic thread. This question has been brought up bazzillions of times on this forum, and gajillions of times on the other sector of the flashlightowebosphere.

The only effective defense against a physical force attack is greater physical force. The reason why a flashlight looks and functions radically differently from a defensive force tool is that one is designed for illumination, and the other is designed for sufficiently effective forceful physical force defense. At first glance and at deeper study, the two tools can not be confused. To do so is completely silly.

If this topic is taboo on this forum, and since this topic has come up bazzilions of times on this forum, I think the administrator should set a block to prevent creation of new threads for this topic.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

i want to keep my distance .

A stopping kick (front snap kick or side kick) will keep an attacker at a distance as they come toward you. A strike bezel on a flashlight requires them to get closer to have any effect and would be a last resort (as well, it may get you in legal trouble using it. I'd advice against it). The light of a flashlight will at most disorient them for a second and likely give you a few more seconds to run away if you spot them at a distance. If a beam of light is your primary weapon for self-defense, you aren't going to make it.

Here are some pointers in self-defense:
1. Don't travel alone. There is safety in numbers.
2. If you go somewhere, let someone know where you're going and when you'll be back. If something happens to you, it helps to have someone nearby ready to look for you and help.
3. Keep your eyes up when walking. This shows confidence, that you're not easy prey, and you'll have better situational awareness.
4. Treat people with respect. You'll get in fewer fights if you don't make enemies.
5. Know how far someone can reach you from and stay out of that range if someone wants to hurt you.
6. Make some noise. If someone is attacking you, the last thing they want is attention drawn to the situation. If people hear that you need help, they may come to your aid or at least call the cops.

 

[fuyume]

I don't think people should discount the effectiveness of a very bright light in personal protection. However, I would never think that a flashlight alone is sufficient protection.

That being said, the truth is, although I live in a constitutional carry state, our crime rate is so low that I don't even think about being attacked.

For me, "EDC" and "tactical" are two totally different categories. My EDC light is for utility purposes, usually used on the dimmest setting possible. If I want a light that will blind and disorient a target, I'll use a for-real tactical flashlight, not my little EDC light.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

I edc a Nitecore E4K, and while a 4400 lumen turbo or strobe should disorient an attacker temporarily, I'll fall back on my 21 years of martial arts training for self-defense, not the flashlight. If you rely on a flashlight for self-defense, it better also be an expandable baton, a taser, or mounted to a gun (only if these options are legal where you live). Even then, I would highly recommend training in the weapon so you don't hurt yourself or others, and that it isn't taken away and used against you. We don't live in a magical fairy land where bad guys melt into a puddle or run away scared when a bright light is shined on them. Real life requires contingency plans and proper training to get out of tough situations, not just a flashlight and hope.

 

[bykfixer]

The only light that will halt or slow down an attacker is one that was used like a David vs Goliath method and was aimed correctly. Other than that anything over 100 lumens will zap the retinas of an attacker in total darkness. Trouble is it zaps yours too. So a thrower beam would be better at not self-blinding.

For indoors I like the SureFire EB1c for the broad spot that lights up the torsoe of a perp without all the spill to make me squint. For outdoors I like the Maglite ML25 for the same reason.

And learn about kubatan techniques for times you cannot keep your distance. You can do the darndest things with an umbrella or inkpen once you know how to. One reason PKDL and his Icon lights looked so radical was because each had built in kubatan devices most would not recognize.

I'll leave it at that before we get too deep into the woods about self defense.

 

[Olumin]

I wouldn't advice anyone to carry a light for self defense, its an irritant at best and not for very long. In the US im sure you have much better options, I know what I would carry. Make use of those rights as long as you still have em & just carry whatever light you like.

 

[raggie33]

i miss my dog he was very protective

 

[defloyd77]

If we're going to help you decide on what to EDC, we're going to need to know more about your daily life, the type of environment you live in, what you expect to encounter regularly, etc. If you think your life needs a light to depend on, make sure it's a light your life can depend on and just my two pennies, but I certainly wouldn't count on "hotrod" style lights like an Emisar, Fireflies, etc. I'd also consider carrying a second smaller light.

As far as lights and self defense,, the best way to use them is for situational awareness.Some potential offenders may flea if they realize they no longer have the element of surprise anymore, but if they don't, they light may give you a moment to either pull out an equalizer or to get the **** out of dodge.

 

[CHNeal]

If stopping an attacker is your goal I recommend the TLR series of lights….

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

For the light, if you want something compact and bright for spotting a potential attacker at a distance, I would suggest a Nitecore E4K, an Acebeam E70-AL, or a Klarus G15 or XT21X. Those are pretty much your options for compact 4000+ lumen flashlights (I'm sure there are a few more I missed). Before even suggesting you carry weapons, or lights that can be used as weapons, I need to ask is that legal where you live? If you live in California, New York, or Michigan, that may be frowned on and could get you in trouble. If I lived in one of those areas, I'd get a loyal, but intimidating dog (probably a Doberman Pincher).

Recent events are making us all question if there is more we can do to keep ourselves and our families safe. This starts at home and getting to know your neighbors. Do you have a neighborhood watch in your community? Are the police able to do their job? Are criminals being punished (or let out the same day they were arrested)? Are you allowed to arm yourself away from home? If you answer no to these questions and aren't capable of defending yourself without a weapon, you should move to somewhere you feel safer. A flashlight isn't going to cut it, especially since some attacks have been happening in broad daylight. Good luck and stay safe.

 

[CelticCross74]

I EDC the latest Zebra 600 series lights. They are small enough to very easily carry even in formal work clothes. They are BRIGHT enough to leave someone getting in your face seeing stars for a few seconds. What you do with those few seconds is up to you. The Zebra's also easily cover near any possible EDC light task.

 

[3_gun]

The question really needs to be asked with a lot more info provided. Suit or jeans? White or blue collar? For work or are you just a boy scout?

I have an EDC for everyone of those needs. The key is I have one or more lights with me just about 24/7. I have a AAA key chain light on every key ring that puts out at least 50L for 1/2hr. At home I often have an Olight i5T or Fenix LD12/17 clipped to my T/sweat shirt collar. A day spent shopping/running errands finds my E70 in my pocket. A night of driving has a SF X300 on the S&W along with the E70 in my pocket & a Fenix E35v3 in the glove box (its home).

For a longtime my single EDC was the LD12/17, it never failed but it was less than ideal at times. I'm at a point now if I had to pick just one to do everything I'd think it would be my Sofirn SC31 pro. I don't have to make that call but it would work well if it was my only light but happily it isn't.

EDC means different things to different people, the question really needs to be narrowed for a useful answer.