Quote:
Originally Posted by vailpass
I've seen the strobe setting on some. What's that get you? A more disoriented intruder?
*Edit* Went to look at this light, says it right in the description- "Use the 140 Lumen strobe mode to disorient attackers.".
This light is 100 lumens. I've read varying opinions on how many lumens is enough and how too bright a light can bounce off your walls and end up impairing your vision along with the intruder. thoughts?
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The best weapon-lights come from Streamlight, Inforce, and Surefire, not necessarily in that order.
I have two Streamights, the TLR-1 HL, and a TLR-7.
The TLR-1 has better ergos, and is easier to use overall. Mainly because the switches are bigger. The TLR-7 is great for concealed carry of a commander-sized/Glock 19-sized weapon.
i have seen the Inforce APLc, and from the little time i spent with it, it seemed like a good light. I also know a few people that have and like them. Including a few LEOs.
My first light was a Surefire X300. Great light, but a little long. That means you're cleaning the lens a lot more often. About every two range-trips. Other than that, one of the best lights out there.
For indoors I probably wouldn't go over 600 lumens max. Over that and there's going to be significant backwash, which could be blinding to the shooter.
Another thing to understand is that at under 30 feet (10 yards), these lights are blinding. What I mean by that is that you can't see the origin of the light at all when this hits you in the face. There's no "I'll just shoot at the center of the light" scenario, because your entire field of vision is uniformly blindingly white. There is no center of the light, from the BG POV.
Flash/strobe disorientation is the result of an "after image" or temporary visual imprint caused by a brief exposure to high-intensity light levels. This image varies with light level and time duration or frequency of the exposure. The disorientation occurs as specific light frequencies affect the brain and the light cycles through those frequencies too fast for the brain to adjust.
Strobing tactical lights do not allow the photoreceptors to reset, which shocks an individual's vision. Strobing bright light forces the brain's perception input to arrive in segments, thus creating after images as the brain labors to fill in or complete the partial image created by the momentary exposure of the strobe.
These after images compound with each strobe exposure, which increases perceptual disparity.
I like weapon-lights because they give me a chance to positively ID my target. Bad guys don't have to ID their targets, but as a law-abiding citizen you are required to positively ID your target before firing. Obviously a 400+ lumen light makes it possible to easily ID your target at more than 50 feet away.
Another thing I like about weapon-lights is that it frees up your weak hand to do a variety of things other than hold a flashlight. Like open/close/lock/unlock doors and windows. Ever try to open a door with a flashlight in your hand?
It also allows me to shoot with both hands on the gun. Try shooting 5 rounds in under 2 seconds at a 5-inch target 7 yards away. This is easy for most people with a two-handed grip, and almost impossible for most to get even 4 out of 5 hits one-handed.
Finally, a weapon-mounted light allows you to use your off-hand defensively if necessary, to punch, grab, block, redirect the BG, close a door, throw something, etc. If you're holding a flashlight many of these are impossible without dropping the flashlight first.