Strobe function on Defensive Lights

[lakegunner]

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone has had training/experience with defensive flashlights like the Gladius? I like the idea of having the strobe function to disorient a potential attacker.

I currently have a Surefire G2, and I am wondering if it would be worthwhile to purchase a G&P Strobe Tailcap (~$30 retail) or should I save my pennies and just buy a Gladius (which runs around $140+)?

lakegunner

[spc]

Good question lakegunner, I didn't know that strobe tail caps were available for the G-2. I have bought many G-2's for home, trucks, wife, son and given several away.

spc

[lakegunner]

Here are some URLs for Tailcaps:

G&P A.I. Tailcap Switch with STROBE Function

LIGHTSAVER® BLITZER STROBER TAILCAP SWITCH UPGRADE - Brigade Quartermasters

LIGHTSAVER® MISER™ MULTI-FUNCTION TAILCAP SWITCH UPGRADE - Brigade Quartermasters

and one for the Gladius:

BLACKHAWK® NIGHT-OPS™ GLADIUS® LED TACTICAL LIGHT - Brigade Quartermasters

[spc]

Cool and energy settings as well. Cost is almost as much as the light new. Might have to check out one.

spc

[El Gato]

Originally Posted by lakegunner

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone has had training/experience with defensive flashlights like the Gladius? I like the idea of having the strobe function to disorient a potential attacker.

I currently have a Surefire G2, and I am wondering if it would be worthwhile to purchase a G&P Strobe Tailcap (~$30 retail) or should I save my pennies and just buy a Gladius (which runs around $140+)?

lakegunner

One of my felow officers has a gladius and thinks it great fun to shine it in my face during night shoots....hahaha... funny strobe...haha...I'm just laughing....hahaha......good thing he hasn't done it in SIMS... .....the strobe doesn't disorient me... pisses me off...but I have eye and depth perception issues that make me have really weird vision compared to the rest of the world... kinda like being a bubble off of plumb... ....

Probably works pretty well on .....NORMAL folks....

[spc]

I'm a victim of the 60's growing up when strobe lights were common at clubs and concerts. If you are used to them a strobe can be used highly too your advantage.

spc

[ordu]

Originally Posted by lakegunner

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone has had training/experience with defensive flashlights like the Gladius? I like the idea of having the strobe function to disorient a potential attacker.

From personal experience - unless you train with it the strobe is more likely to disorient you than anyone else. Also, even with that said, it's more of an annoyance than an actual benefit. If you want to disorient a potential attacker try blasting them in the face with a beam from a surefire M6 with the high power bulb. I've seen people fall over when their eyes are acclimatized to the night then catch it in the face with that much light.

I currently have a Surefire G2, and I am wondering if it would be worthwhile to purchase a G&P Strobe Tailcap (~$30 retail) or should I save my pennies and just buy a Gladius (which runs around $140+)?

lakegunner

Save your money. While it looks cool as a party trick the practicality of it is minimal at best. It's makes much better tactical sense to use the fast on/off button to spot, move then shoot then it does to make your self semi-visible, just in a variable pattern. The light produced by a G2 or gladius is simply not strong enough to truly overwhelm the eye.

Also - just as a side note Blackhawk stuff for the most part is extraordinarily poorly made. Not trying to start a flame war - just personal opinion based on field experience with the stuff. Back in the day it was a lot better - now there's only a few items they make that I'd be willing to trust my life to. Considering the massive explosion in companies making tactical equipment these days I'm not really sure how they stay in business.

If you interested in more information PM me.

[lakegunner]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies

I'll probably just save my money and purchase a better light. The G2 is pretty bright, especially to someone who used to think a maglite was bright

I've yet to purchase any Blackhawk gear. I was under the impression that they were top notch...

Thanks again for all the input.

lakegunner