look for a specific flashlight

I'm gonna to have a trip. And I’m need a flashlight very much. I hope it could be used as a defensive tool, too! Anyone have a good idea, tell me. Thanks a lot!

Here's the one I use:

It's exceptionally bright, the batteries lasted through my entire RTW and never even began to wear out, it's water resistant and it can be run over by a truck and not break. It says so right on the package. It's a little bigger than ideal, but if you are going on a trip where you plan to frequently use a flashlight, I would strongly recommend this one.

As far as defense goes, I found it especially useful for fighting monsters under the bed, chasing down coins fleeing under tight spaces, and repelling assaults from wayward tree branches after dark. Seriously, if you think you need a flashlight for defense somewhere, you probably need to not go there just yet.

I've found the Maglite flashlights to be particularly nice. I've done some middle-of-the-night walking across the US and generally felt comfortable with the prospect of a Maglite being my main (and pretty much only) defense (I'm a girl). Mostly, though, it was more of a security blanket than something that I actually needed to use, as the loose dogs or wild critters didn't attack and the people in the unsavory parts of towns could tell that I wasn't completely helpless. I've dropped the flashlight enough times (including on my foot) to know that it hurts when it hits with enough force.

But honestly, unless you're planning repeated nighttime trips to unsavory areas (animals or people), you could probably use any good size flashlight as a defense tool in an emergency, although you might have to replace it if you actually use it as a defensive weapon. The Maglite, for example, could probably do serious damage if swung with enough force and survive to continue functioning as a flashlight, but unless you're fighting for your life, even a plastic waterbottle can be held in a way to make it obvious that you're willing to use it in defense.

Guy I met in Antigua Guatemala a couple years ago carried an umbrella with an extra weighted handle, a much better defensive tool than a flashlight imho.

cinny2 wrote:I've found the Maglite flashlights to be particularly nice

Any Maglite that could double as a club will weigh so much more than anything you're ever going to bring backpacking around the world. Don't. All the other travelers will laugh at you.

Please, for the sake of good advice, tell us why you think you need some sort of combat tool at your disposal during your trip....

The security tool of choice, a 3 -4 d cell Maglite, choice of security personell around the world.

But seriously, if you think you'll need to carry a heavy battery cell club with you, maybe you ought to re-think your destination.

Other choice, lighter, good against humans from a distance.

A 40 dollar tactical flashlight, used to blind people. Its also so bright it makes a dandy wildlife spotter. I amazed my guide with it looking for cayman eyes at 30 yards.

Tortuga_traveller wrote:A 40 dollar tactical flashlight, used to blind people. Its also so bright it makes a dandy wildlife spotter. I amazed my guide with it looking for cayman eyes at 30 yards.

Or a $1 fine point pen. Or a $3 whistle.

I mean, you could also just buy a knife at your destination. But running like hell or throwing my wallet on the ground while covering my face and screaming "not my money maker!" is my defense of choice.

All of which comes in second behind trying not to wander around by yourself drunk in strange neighborhoods.

Bideshi wrote:As far as defense goes, I found it especially useful for fighting monsters under the bed, chasing down coins fleeing under tight spaces, and repelling assaults from wayward tree branches after dark. Seriously, if you think you need a flashlight for defense somewhere, you probably need to not go there just yet.

Bed monsters (a.k.a. sharp edged bedposts): 16.5
Wayward tree branches: 9
Scritch: 0

All of which comes in second behind trying not to wander around by yourself drunk in strange neighborhoods - Scritch

Best advice. Second is finding a safer place to travel.

get a Maglite. Cops beat ass with it and so can you!

Someone said something about getting a flashlight that would just blind someone long enough for you to get away if anything happened. I think that's a much better idea than carrying around a hefty flashlight that doubles as some sort of club. We should all be traveling lightweight and that would defeat the purpose.

I used this Streamlight on my trip to Hawaii - http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-88850 ... 337&sr=1-8

It's bright as hell and it has a strobe effect. I used it for some dark lava tubes underground and for wandering around the rainforest at night and it was great. It's really small too. Almost disappears in your hand when you're gripping it. Only problem I see with it is that the battery type is pretty obscure and may be hard to find overseas. It uses C123 batteries that I easily found at an OfficeMax out there. And the only reason the batteries ran out was because I left it on overnight. But the batteries should last you a good long time.

I keep a Maglite in my car for the same defense purposes mentioned already (that is, if the attacker/monster/etc. doesn't take it from me first). However, for traveling and backpacking purposes, it's a little impractical, not just because of the weight and bulk, but because

1. there's no grip (it's slippery)
2. it cannot be propped up on it's own to use as a spot light
3. there's no handle or strap to secure to your wrist/hand (unless it's the AAA or AA battery sized ones, those you can buy a strap to attach to the battery cap)

I'm actually in search of a good, durable, well made, long lasting flashlight that meets these requirements. Right now I carry a small headlamp with me (ultimate for hands free use) in addition to a small AA Maglite (with the strap:D)

I saw a flashlight that has a volt/electro zapper thing the flashlight itself looks like a regular flashlight and its about $250 and I understand in some US states this particular flashlight is illegal as you need a license to use such device (not the flashlight itself, the electric shock tazer) (the same kind of equipment cops used to use, now they have tazer guns)

If you need self defense just wear a helmet and get yourself a penlight and go to some desolate island or whatever and problem solved!

Do you really need a mag lite? The RCMP carry those and they're heavy! Unless it's just a wee one, then it really isn't much of a weapon.

I've been in alot of countries, cities. Landed in new places in the middle of the night, gone out on foot to hostels, train stations...haven't required a weapon yet. Just got to know where you're going and how to get there.

I second getting a headlamp. Good for quietly going in and out of hostel rooms in the night. Hands free. Packs small, batteries last long time, not heavy. FYI. If'n you're going caving-carry two. P lost his looking down a waterfall-it fell off his head when he leaned over to look. There it was waaaaaaay down, glowing in the underworld dark. He had an extra one in his bag, saved his bacon from a long crawl out in the dark.

nahanniwaterfall wrote: I second getting a headlamp. Good for quietly going in and out of hostel rooms in the night. Hands free. Packs small, batteries last long time, not heavy. FYI. If'n you're going caving-carry two. P lost his looking down a waterfall-it fell off his head when he leaned over to look. There it was waaaaaaay down, glowing in the underworld dark. He had an extra one in his bag, saved his bacon from a long crawl out in the dark.

Can never hurt to have extras of all kinds in that situation it pays to have a backup; thanks for reminding me n need to get one (and I'm still bringing my ultra portable flashlight)