Flashlights for girls: Surefire E2D (defender) worthwhile?

[Viper GTS]

My sister + the g/f both need good lights (their request), is the Surefire E2D worthwhile (vs any of their non defender models).

My reasoning is if they've already expressed a need for a good flashlight they'll likely have it in their hands which is a huge step up over mace or anything like that floating around in their purse. One is walking several blocks from light rail to her house, the other is going to/from her car in the dark. If they're going to hit someone with it it might as well hurt, right? Ideally of course going from darkness to a 60 lumen light in your face would be enough to keep someone at bay.

Suggestions? $120 (local price) is steep compared to say the $50-60 Nitrolon models that put out as much or more light.

This is for use primarily as a self-defense tool, neither would be comfortable carrying a real weapon & one is on a student visa in Switzerland so weapons are completely out of the question.

Viper GTS

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

candlepowerforums.com is the best place to ask.

 

[BlackTigers]

I read the title wrong and clicked expecting something entirely different.

/slowly exiting thread.

 

[vi edit]

I think that it's largely a novelty and pretty much useless in the hands of someone untrained. Fingernails and a set of car keys will be just as much of a deterrent if somebody gets that close to you.

And if somebody is *really* that determined, a flashlight isn't going to stop them anyway.

But that's just me.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I think that it's largely a novelty and pretty much useless in the hands of someone untrained. Fingernails and a set of car keys will be just as much of a deterrent if somebody gets that close to you.

And if somebody is *really* that determined, a flashlight isn't going to stop them anyway.

But that's just me.

This is just as much about giving them some sense of security as it is about actual protection. The main purpose of the light of course is to avoid being surprised.

I know full well that if someone is really motivated a flashlight isn't going to do jack shit, unfortunately it's about the best I can expect them to use.

Viper GTS

 

[imported_Imp]

This sounds like the job for a Maglite. The "D"(?) batteries, foot long ones can probably be used as a club. Oh, and I think Maglite FINALLY jumped onto the LED bandwagon too.

 

[herm0016]

the problem with the surefires is the battery life and cost. also, my friends with surefires have had to have the tail caps replaced constantly. I would look for something cheaper, and more reliable in an led flashlight. i really like lapolicegear.com they have a large selection.

 

[Throckmorton]

Why would you give those to a girl? The short runtime and high price isn't worth some idiotic notion that you can defend yourself with a flashlight. The reality is they'll probably look into the beam and scar their retinas permanently. Why don't you get them pepper spray?

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Why would you give those to a girl? The short runtime and high price isn't worth some idiotic notion that you can defend yourself with a flashlight. The reality is they'll probably look into the beam and scar their retinas permanently. Why don't you get them pepper spray?

They've both specifically requested flashlights, so they're likely to use them. Neither would be comfortable carrying a real weapon (and one is in a foreign country). Pepper spray serves no other functional purpose so unless they have a flashlight in one hand and pepper spray in the other the pepper spray is going to stay in their purse - just like every other woman that carries it.

A light is something that they will actually use, so it might as well be as bright as possible. The only real debate here is E2D vs similarly sized Surefires (E2E, G2/G3, etc.).

Viper GTS

 

[drinkmorejava]

If you want a surefire they're amazing, but I've discovered that some of the "police" branded lithium flashlights on ebay are a pretty good alternative and cost <$15. I have one similar to this one http://cgi.ebay.com/WOW-Popula..._W0QQitemZ360006036829

 

[herm0016]

why not look at different brands? like this: http://www.lapolicegear.com/phonewacofl.html

 

[BurnItDwn]

Originally posted by: BlackTigers91
I read the title wrong and clicked expecting something entirely different.

/slowly exiting thread.

Misread the "a" as an "e" did you?


That said ... for self defense purposes ... wouldn't pepper spray be a lot more effective than shining a flashlight at somebody's eyes.?

(I know you said they can't carry a real weapon, and they might put it in their purse, etc ... but realistically, I just don't see any value in carrying a flash light for "defense" unless it's a baseball bat sized mag-light.)

 

[Dessert Tears]

How did you start looking at the Surefire brand? Do you or the girls have prior experience with high-performance/expensive flashlights? I ask because it's unclear whether you have an idea of how bright the 2x123 Surefire lamps are. In my experience, they're almost too bright for general use, even outdoors. I can believe the Surefire marketing that they will dazzle someone whose eyes are dark-adapted.

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
This is just as much about giving them some sense of security as it is about actual protection. The main purpose of the light of course is to avoid being surprised.

I would worry that a false sense of security would lead to carelessness. Using the flashlight to illuminate the area helps to reveal things hidden by darkness, but it may attract attention and sharply reduce its effectiveness as a blinding tool.

I have a few E2es and one E2d, as well as a few part-compatible customs. I really like the size, but it's pretty much the largest that I would pocket carry - anything larger would go in a bag. I never actually carried the E2d, but I remember reading complaints about how the crenelations (pokeys) would wear holes in pockets. My favorite general-use Surefire is the A2 - LED for low, regulated incandescent for high.

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
The only real debate here is E2D vs similarly sized Surefires (E2E, G2/G3, etc.).

My recommendation is to pick a price range and find a high-flux LED (Luxeon or Cree) light, preferably with at least 2 brightness levels. I'm partial to 123-based systems, but there are good rechargeables also. I remember seeing a few threads here recently. If you're set on a Surefire, the E2e is slight more compact, the G2 is less expensive, and I like the A2. I'm not familiar with their LED line, but I think the L4 (same body as E2e) was very popular in its time. I don't see any good reason to get the E2d.

 

[Howard]

The new lights based on Cree LEDs are pretty nice.

 

[tranceport]

Flatscan is right. If you haven't used one they are insanely bright. I have an integrated weapon light on my 870 LINK. It is only 65 lumen's and would surely be useful to stun someone by shining their face with it.

I would second something from the LED lines as they will usually be energy effecient. The surefires like to use their own batteries. There is the L7 which is a rechargeable LED boasting 110 lumen's and a runtime of 2.5 hours. If buying batteries is of concern then I would go this route.

If buying batteries is not a problem... I would go with an L1 or L4. The L1 has a high/low setting of 65/10 lumens and 10/1.5 hour usage. The L4 100 lumens and 2.5 hours. The L4 is around $60 cheaper than the L7 rechargeable one.


So.. Ask you self these questions.
1. How bright does the torch need to be?
2. How long does the torch need to last?
3. Do I want to feed it batteries?



And now I have to go buy another damn flashlight.. Damn you!

Some links to check out...
L1 with cree led
L4 with 24 free batteries $165
12 Surefire batteries

*By all means there are better sites out there. I have order from these people before and knew that had what I wanted to link.

 

[adairusmc]

That is a good light. I got my grandmother an e2d last year for Christmas, and she loves it.

 

[natto fire]

Well, if the females in question are into bludgeoning, then a 6D Mag-Lite would more than do the trick. Kind of bulky, but if you hit a person right with a loaded 6D Mag Lite, they are not getting up, plus it is very bright and the batteries last quite a while.

 

[Viper GTS]

Did you guys really think I'd be asking about $120 flashlights if I'd never used one? I have several high end lights, including a 120 lumen G2 so I know exactly what they are capable of.

I ended up deciding that all out brightness + the compact size made the E2D worthwhile whether or not the crenelated edges are of real value. I ended up picking up two.

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) the store had no G3's, I must find one to try... 200 lumens sounds like a nice upgrade from my G2.

Viper GTS

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: BlackTigers91
I read the title wrong and clicked expecting something entirely different.

/slowly exiting thread.

seriously.

I read the line about "my sister" and was like wtf :Q

 

[tranceport]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Did you guys really think I'd be asking about $120 flashlights if I'd never used one? I have several high end lights, including a 120 lumen G2 so I know exactly what they are capable of.

I ended up deciding that all out brightness + the compact size made the E2D worthwhile whether or not the crenelated edges are of real value. I ended up picking up two.

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) the store had no G3's, I must find one to try... 200 lumens sounds like a nice upgrade from my G2.

Viper GTS

Then get the 4 L7's. Keep one for your self, send me one, and give the other 2 to the girls.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Hint: they don't really need a flashlight. You're not doing your job OP.

 

[LtPage1]

I've got an L2 Lumamax and love it. I've had it for a couple of years now, and never had a problem with it.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: LtPage1
I've got an L2 Lumamax and love it. I've had it for a couple of years now, and never had a problem with it.

I miss my L2. It was either stolen or misplaced--not sure which. I definitely will be getting it again soon though.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

i have the A2 Aviator. its a very nice flashlight. not too big, has 3 LED's and if those arent bright enough as it is. it has the xenon light as well. and that one really does hurt a little when you hit someone in the darkness.(i've done it to myself stupidly a few times lol) most surefires are quite nice, especially the aluminum body models. the glass is very tough and takes quite a beating while im over here as well. a lot of people have them mounted onto they're m16/4's and those go through hell every day being banged around and basically sandblasted by the wind.

 

[lyssword]

Whenever there is "flashlight" I sometimes misread that as "fleshlight". I'm like wtf, I don't think girls need a fleshlight