Lou Minescence
Flashlight Enthusiast
Hopefully you were not charged a fee for the rescue.
I use strobe with a diffuser cone as a warning beacon when I plow snow in my pickup.
Has anyone ever used strobe mode?
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Hopefully you were not charged a fee for the rescue.
I use strobe with a diffuser cone as a warning beacon when I plow snow in my pickup.
Re: Anyone actually use Strobe?
Yep, when you train to use the strobe mode with a bright light, it can be a pretty effective disorientation tool. A light that puts out 20,000 - 30.000 candela can temporarily blind a suspect in low light conditions with a single flash (useful trick with drunks, flash them once then take a couple of steps to the side and they'll continue acting/speaking to where you were previously standing). With a belligerent drunk though, shining a bright light in their eyes blinds them and makes them pause for a second (and can make them turn away or raise a hand to shield their eyes), but if they're belligerent, aggressive, advancing drunks, they often tend to put their heads down and continue advancing with a constant bright light, where a bright strobing light tends to usually make them stop.
In fact, a bright strobing light in their face tends to make the drunks throw up (and then they're not belligerent/aggressive anymore). Over here in the US though (as detailed in the tactical use of strobe thread), LEO vs violent civilian hand to hand encounters aren't as common as they apparently are in the Netherlands or EU, but there is an increase in disorientation in low light environments vs not using a light or using a constant bright light (and sometimes that slight edge is all that's needed). As TEEJ mentions though, it's unwise to count on a strobe as any kind of deterrence (although it may work as such against an easily dissuaded target). It's simply a tool to gain a temporary window.
A strobing flashlight, as many folks have already mentioned, is also much more effective for signalling than a constant light. Many folks tend to ignore a flash of a bright light (if it's not hitting them in the face), even if you flash it several times as there are many other things in an urban environment that can cause a brief flash of light (car headlights going past etc.). A bright fast strobe though catches attention much better because it's not a common or natural occurrence.
Max
Yep, when you train to use the strobe mode with a bright light, it can be a pretty effective disorientation tool. A light that puts out 20,000 - 30.000 candela can temporarily blind a suspect in low light conditions with a single flash (useful trick with drunks, flash them once then take a couple of steps to the side and they'll continue acting/speaking to where you were previously standing). With a belligerent drunk though, shining a bright light in their eyes blinds them and makes them pause for a second (and can make them turn away or raise a hand to shield their eyes), but if they're belligerent, aggressive, advancing drunks, they often tend to put their heads down and continue advancing with a constant bright light, where a bright strobing light tends to usually make them stop.
In fact, a bright strobing light in their face tends to make the drunks throw up (and then they're not belligerent/aggressive anymore). Over here in the US though (as detailed in the tactical use of strobe thread), LEO vs violent civilian hand to hand encounters aren't as common as they apparently are in the Netherlands or EU, but there is an increase in disorientation in low light environments vs not using a light or using a constant bright light (and sometimes that slight edge is all that's needed). As TEEJ mentions though, it's unwise to count on a strobe as any kind of deterrence (although it may work as such against an easily dissuaded target). It's simply a tool to gain a temporary window.
A strobing flashlight, as many folks have already mentioned, is also much more effective for signalling than a constant light. Many folks tend to ignore a flash of a bright light (if it's not hitting them in the face), even if you flash it several times as there are many other things in an urban environment that can cause a brief flash of light (car headlights going past etc.). A bright fast strobe though catches attention much better because it's not a common or natural occurrence.
Max
Re: Anyone actually use Strobe?
One time I got lost on purpose on a night hike just to use the strobe mode on my Fenix PD32 to signal a rescue crew. They said they would have never seen me if it weren't for the strobe light shining directly at their eyes. After I told them why I got lost, we all had a good laugh and I actually ended up getting sucker punched by one of the angry searchers.
One time I got lost on purpose on a night hike just to use the strobe mode on my Fenix PD32 to signal a rescue crew. They said they would have never seen me if it weren't for the strobe light shining directly at their eyes. After I told them why I got lost, we all had a good laugh and I actually ended up getting sucker punched by one of the angry searchers.
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Re: Anyone actually use Strobe?
thought I posted in this thread already..... As a driver I have used it. When either I am broke down, day or night, or assisting another driver on the side of the road, ill set on up somewhere near the back to warn people. As drivers have a bad habit of not moving over even if they have room. Closing in on 20 years of this, I have also seen more than my fair share of accidents and at times am first on scene. So ill set up a few lights in strobe till proper help arrives. Ill usually try to block/protect myself and them with my semi if I can, but you never know. As was suggested in another thread on this subject, I now aim it at the back of the vehicle rather than at traffic. Or at a warning triangle. As the reflecting light off the tail lights, reflector tape and other surfaces is just as effective it seems, without being blinding. Also useful in getting my wifes attention when she is on the lawn tractor driving around. And for Halloween, at least when kids used to come by, now they all go trick or treating at the mall and stores...., we set them up on our porch with assorted home made filters for different effects.
thought I posted in this thread already..... As a driver I have used it. When either I am broke down, day or night, or assisting another driver on the side of the road, ill set on up somewhere near the back to warn people. As drivers have a bad habit of not moving over even if they have room. Closing in on 20 years of this, I have also seen more than my fair share of accidents and at times am first on scene. So ill set up a few lights in strobe till proper help arrives. Ill usually try to block/protect myself and them with my semi if I can, but you never know. As was suggested in another thread on this subject, I now aim it at the back of the vehicle rather than at traffic. Or at a warning triangle. As the reflecting light off the tail lights, reflector tape and other surfaces is just as effective it seems, without being blinding. Also useful in getting my wifes attention when she is on the lawn tractor driving around. And for Halloween, at least when kids used to come by, now they all go trick or treating at the mall and stores...., we set them up on our porch with assorted home made filters for different effects.
Re: Has Anyone Ever Used Strobe Mode?
Note to self: strobe not effective on mother-in-laws.
Note to self: strobe not effective on mother-in-laws.
Re: Has Anyone Ever Used Strobe Mode?
What flashlight? I haven't used strobes on dogs/animals much, but I'd expect a 3,000 candela strobe to have as little effect on animals as it does on humans.
Max
What flashlight? I haven't used strobes on dogs/animals much, but I'd expect a 3,000 candela strobe to have as little effect on animals as it does on humans.
Max
M@elstrom
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: Anyone actually use Strobe?
Agreed... flashlights in a low light environment can be effective at disorienting others (more so strobe), however the vision of "substance impaired" individuals recovers even slower from the same bursts of light IMHO :thumbsup:
Agreed... flashlights in a low light environment can be effective at disorienting others (more so strobe), however the vision of "substance impaired" individuals recovers even slower from the same bursts of light IMHO :thumbsup:
mhpreston
Enlightened
Re: Has Anyone Ever Used Strobe Mode?
Where I work in Sarf London, if you used a strobe to illuminate a broken down car someone walking past would nick it!
I can see it being handy if we ever broke down on a motorway or autobahn (freeway), especially in winter. For some reason you hear of a number of cases there people are killed or injured while in or near their vehicle, when it is hit from behind - even though they are off the motorway in the safety lane or hard shoulder. It surprises me because this means crossing tactile lane markings and bumping over cats eyes in the process. Are the drivers asleep at the wheel or texting?
Where I work in Sarf London, if you used a strobe to illuminate a broken down car someone walking past would nick it!
I can see it being handy if we ever broke down on a motorway or autobahn (freeway), especially in winter. For some reason you hear of a number of cases there people are killed or injured while in or near their vehicle, when it is hit from behind - even though they are off the motorway in the safety lane or hard shoulder. It surprises me because this means crossing tactile lane markings and bumping over cats eyes in the process. Are the drivers asleep at the wheel or texting?
lockdoc
Newly Enlightened
I use strobe quite a bit to get attention at Mardi Gras Parades. It definitely gets the attention of the float riders!
T45
Enlightened
I use the strobe function EVERY DAY! I turn on the strobe function and beam it into co-workers office across the hall. I get a point if he doesn't notice, lose one if he does.
27 to 4 hee hee
27 to 4 hee hee
HotWire
Flashlight Enthusiast
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There is a small moth that gets in the house from time to time. I strobe them and they land every time. WHACK! No more moth!
D2000
Enlightened
Plenty of fantastic responses here. My personal uses have all been named but just to add to the pool of data:
-Signaling people in high stress situations.
-Getting the attention of my dog from afar.
-Definitely used it as a dance floor strobe!
-Majority of people see a strobe or patterned signal as a sign of authority and have actually approached me as such on a few occasions.
-Helping a friend locate me in crowded areas (clubs, city streets, long train stations, open fields of my family's farm)
And I could certainly see myself using SOS an kind of hope that one day I could come back from an adventure because of it.
Dave.
-Signaling people in high stress situations.
-Getting the attention of my dog from afar.
-Definitely used it as a dance floor strobe!
-Majority of people see a strobe or patterned signal as a sign of authority and have actually approached me as such on a few occasions.
-Helping a friend locate me in crowded areas (clubs, city streets, long train stations, open fields of my family's farm)
And I could certainly see myself using SOS an kind of hope that one day I could come back from an adventure because of it.
Dave.
archcat74
Newly Enlightened
I've only used it once. A mates car broke down on a hill with a bend in the middle of the night. I stood out with the strobe going to wave cars around the broken down car. It seemed to work quote well with cars slowing very quickly once they saw it...
rickypanecatyl
Enlightened
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Strobe mode almost got me put in a 3rd world prison last week! I posted a couple months ago I disliked strobe; now I passionately hate strobe!
Presently I have 5 lights - thrunite, eagletac, magic shine that all have a "hidden strobe" and ALL of them malfunction and randomly drop into strobe mode - usually from low mode... the mode I want to use to preserve my own night vision.
So last week I was on the runway getting on a civilian flight between Timur Leste and Sumba. It was totally dark on the runway and I used my Eagletac D series in the lowest mode to look at my ticket. It came on in the lowest mode for 2 seconds and then jumped into full power strobe. I got our pilot and a bunch of military guys (locked and loaded) right in the eyes.
Last night however though I didn't appreciate it someone else did. There was a motorcycle accident right in front of me in Kuala Lumpur and I slammed on the brakes, pulled over and got out to help. Rider had a busted femur coming thru his skin and pant leg. I had my unreliable eagletac G25C2 with me (I presently EDC "unreliable lights" because every single light I own but my varapower is unreliable and it's a bit big to EDC). I was with the victim and tossed my light to another guy to warn traffic. It was set to come on on low and I was about to explain how to switch to high by twisting the head when it automatically switched to strobe. I'm convinced high with a shaking wrist is just as good at night but the guy with my light certainly thought the strobe was AWESOME!! I was pretty bloody and busy but he was having a hoot shinning it in everyone's eyes - mine and the eventual paramedics included!
Presently I have 5 lights - thrunite, eagletac, magic shine that all have a "hidden strobe" and ALL of them malfunction and randomly drop into strobe mode - usually from low mode... the mode I want to use to preserve my own night vision.
So last week I was on the runway getting on a civilian flight between Timur Leste and Sumba. It was totally dark on the runway and I used my Eagletac D series in the lowest mode to look at my ticket. It came on in the lowest mode for 2 seconds and then jumped into full power strobe. I got our pilot and a bunch of military guys (locked and loaded) right in the eyes.
Last night however though I didn't appreciate it someone else did. There was a motorcycle accident right in front of me in Kuala Lumpur and I slammed on the brakes, pulled over and got out to help. Rider had a busted femur coming thru his skin and pant leg. I had my unreliable eagletac G25C2 with me (I presently EDC "unreliable lights" because every single light I own but my varapower is unreliable and it's a bit big to EDC). I was with the victim and tossed my light to another guy to warn traffic. It was set to come on on low and I was about to explain how to switch to high by twisting the head when it automatically switched to strobe. I'm convinced high with a shaking wrist is just as good at night but the guy with my light certainly thought the strobe was AWESOME!! I was pretty bloody and busy but he was having a hoot shinning it in everyone's eyes - mine and the eventual paramedics included!
markr6
Flashaholic
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Cool story!!
I agree with just signaling with a torch instead of strobe. Many reviewers describe the strobe as "disorenting" or "nauseating". The last thing I want to do is "disorient" or "nauseate" someone in control of a 4000lb chunk of glass and metal traveling at 60mph. Not good. Of course you probably won't be pointing it right in their eyes, but considering how easy it is to make a mistake, we're walking a fine line here. Flares, traffic wands, waving lights just seem more approptiate to me.
fresh eddie fresh
Enlightened
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I am on jury duty today and everyone has to go through a metal detector and have their bag x-rayed on the way into the courthouse. When I first arrived the security guard didn't ask about the Malkoff MD2 in my bag, but when I went through again he specifically asked if it had strobe. He said they confiscate lasers and strobes because they can be distracting in the courtroom.
rickypanecatyl
Enlightened
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While reading that I was envisioning a bored jurror whipping out his flashlight and playing with it during some technical blah, blah, blah testimoney. When he found strobe and then shined it in the judges eyes, that was when they decided to ban strobe in certain courtrooms! 
noboneshotdog
Flashlight Enthusiast
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I use mine almost daily to get my kids attention when they are playing outside so I don't have to yell for them. It even works during the daytime with my TN30.
JJohn
Enlightened
I once used a small light, set on disorienting strobe, to light up the inside of a carved pumpkin on halloween. Worked great for that purpose. My kids said that it looked much cooler/scarier than if I used a candle or just a uniform blinking light.
That is the only opportunity I have ever had to use a flashy mode. I really don't like these modes unless it is impossible to trigger them accidentally.
That is the only opportunity I have ever had to use a flashy mode. I really don't like these modes unless it is impossible to trigger them accidentally.
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