Your thoughts on these lights?

I bought just a cheap one for $20 at Fleet Farm just to have a flashlight-it has 350 lumens and is it bright. The stobe is a eye closer. Also throws one heck of a beam for such a small thing on three AAA batteries. I think shining in someones eyes could do harm they are so bright on the eyes.

Just thinking I wonder at night if used right maybe it would deter bears? Just a thought?

one of many types

I use a Surefire A2 tac light. Mighty bright, but heck on batteries! Aside from being bright, its switch and lanyard/lanyard clip are especially nice.

That coupled with a whistle sure would scare most bears. What would it do to a mama with cubs along though?

I have an Olight. It's an older version. Has four settings low med high and strobe. I think on high it puts out 300 lumens. Uses cr123 batteries two of them. I have been very happy with this product.

They have a headlamp that I might try if the price is not too bad. Link

I've had far too many lights with the more complex user interfaces (programmable settings) crap out on me. Luckily never in a time of need, but needless to say I wouldn't bet my trip on them. These are generally the 4sevens, olight, jetbeam type imported lights. When they're working they are second to none awesome but based on MY experience they are not worth the trouble. I've had a surefire e1l outdoorsman which survived my decade in service running around with the Marines. Says a lot about a piece of electronic gear. It's a fixed 45 lumen light and has been with me on every bwca trip and rides in my front left pocket every single day. Rarely do I wish I had anything with higher output. If anything less is better. Most night time tasks around camp are going to be situating your sleep area, finding something you dropped, walking to the latrine or something tedious, and blasting the situation with 300+ lumens is completely unnecessary and blinding to boot. Keep it simple I say. Run whatever you like though. Can't speak to a to effectiveness on bears. Wouldn't count on it. Probably have better results with a whistle or something else audible

quote s500yards: "I've had far too many lights with the more complex user interfaces (programmable settings) crap out on me. Luckily never in a time of need, but needless to say I wouldn't bet my trip on them. These are generally the 4sevens, olight, jetbeam type imported lights. When they're working they are second to none awesome but based on MY experience they are not worth the trouble. I've had a surefire e1l outdoorsman which survived my decade in service running around with the Marines. Says a lot about a piece of electronic gear. It's a fixed 45 lumen light and has been with me on every bwca trip and rides in my front left pocket every single day. Rarely do I wish I had anything with higher output. If anything less is better. Most night time tasks around camp are going to be situating your sleep area, finding something you dropped, walking to the latrine or something tedious, and blasting the situation with 300+ lumens is completely unnecessary and blinding to boot. Keep it simple I say. Run whatever you like though. Can't speak to a to effectiveness on bears. Wouldn't count on it. Probably have better results with a whistle or something else audible "

Ya what 500 said and I use a Pelican VB3. It is lite and will not turn on in my pack. Did I mention it will not turn on while packed.

I tripped with a guy who had a tactical flashlight which he had suggested could be used as a bear deterrent........very experienced guy and the idea stuck.

My tactical light was purchased at REI and is 930 lumens and set me back around $80. I like it.

I take several lights......black diamond Storm headlamp, tac light as well as 2 teeny tiny lights which can be clenched via mouth.

I got a load of these when they were selling for less than $4 a piece. I like to give a gift out to everyone on group camping trips, and this was one of them. To this day this is my favorite in the house. It runs on a single AA battery for quite a long time. The version with different modes is not the one to get--unreliable; I have the simple on-or-off version. Yeah, there's areas for improvement, but nothing that I care to pay more than $5 for.

Link to Amazon page

If you stubble onto a really hungry animal (Not talking about it wants a snack), or really pissed off animal (For whatever reason), big enough to take down an adult; good luck with your flashlight!

Better than nothing I suppose, but may give you a false sense of security.

Treadwell should have had a tactical light.............

BOB

I bring a tactical light for bear/moose protection. It is a Streamlight 88047 Pro Tac HL 3. This is an 1100 lumens light with 3 settings. It is shockproof, lifetimem warranty, and comes with a belt pouch for $77.99. I don't think there is a brighter or more indestructible tact light made. Streamlight 88047 ProTac HL 3

quote mastertangler:
"My tactical light was purchased at REI and is 930 lumens and set me back around $80. I like it.
"

Which light at REI do you have? My wife is wanting a tac light and I've got some dividend left at REI. And you know, Valentine's Day is coming up and what says I love you better than a really bright flashlight....

I have a fenix pd35 tactical (1000 lumens max, 18650 li ion rechargeable) and it's an excellent flashlight, but I find the handheld lights to be severely lacking in utility vs a headlamp so I went for its equivalent (the fenix hl60r) which as a bonus has a built in charger and it has been the greatest light I've ever used.

I've used it for just about anything you can think of (hunting, fishing, mountaineering/climbing, camping, canyoneering, rafting, etc) and it has performed flawlessly. I've never had it run out of batteries (though I've come close), and rarely end up using anything above the low setting. It's been submerged in water numerous times and even took a tumble down a cliff once in my pack and still not a problem.

Overkill. Keep a clean camp and there is no need to worry about bears. Or, as I have said before, if you are so worried about bears, stay home.

Thanks for the recommendation on the pd35. I did get her that. It's not for camping. For that she prefers a small headlamp. She wants this for poking around the house and yard.

"Overkill. Keep a clean camp and there is no need to worry about bears. Or, as I have said before, if you are so worried about bears, stay home. "

You seem to equate being prepared with being scared. By that logic, anyone bringing a PFD to prevent drowning should just stay home.

Our group is trained in how to deal with bears. Grouping up, making noise, not getting between cubs and momma, etc. But they are also trained in use of bear spray, tactical lights, whistles. And yes. . .we have firearms as well. Has nothing to do with being scared. Lights, spray, noise makers and firearms are all just tools. For those who are trained in their use they can prevent tradgedy.

quote Pinetree: "Your thoughts on these lights?
Just thinking I wonder at night if used right maybe it would deter bears? Just a thought? "

I'm surprised by some of the comments. My experience, FWIW, having run across more than a couple bears in the wild at close range and at night is that these lights shouldn't be counted on to perform as a deterrent much less provide protection from bears. Not discounting their utility, but I know I wouldn't feel an increased sense of security from having one in my possession.

There are definitely instances where 'problem bears' have learned where campsites are, and check them out of habit, as opposed to only being attracted there due to smell.

quote Hoaf: "

quote Pinetree: "Your thoughts on these lights?
Just thinking I wonder at night if used right maybe it would deter bears? Just a thought? "

I'm surprised by some of the comments. My experience, FWIW, having run across more than a couple bears in the wild at close range and at night is that these lights shouldn't be counted on to perform as a deterrent much less provide protection from bears. Not discounting their utility, but I know I wouldn't feel an increased sense of security from having one in my possession. "

Just another tool,along with a can of pepper spray at the same time. I thought more at a distance than anything. Also I don't know if it is good or bad but it would temporarily
blind them for a second.
I did read one story the light did deter a bear attack.

quote Frenchy19: "Overkill. Keep a clean camp and there is no need to worry about bears. Or, as I have said before, if you are so worried about bears, stay home."

I've heard that phrase a million times; problem is, the bears don't know enough to adhere to it. You may decrease your chances, but I've seen messy camps, food packs hung 5' off the ground and the campers had no problem. And I've seen people do EVERYTHING right and have a bear in camp.

There is no harm in being prepared; being prepared and prudent does not mean you are scared and should stay home.

I recently bought a knock-off tactical light because we have some large predators whom live around us. Works really nice when letting our meal-sized dogs out for their potty breaks. I think a strong light would at least be an irritant, and could possibly deter persistent bear?

I have not tried tactical lights on a bear, but I have on dogs, deer, and lots of other animals. Their first reaction to being hit with 800 to 1200 lumens is to freeze in place, followed by running away as fast as possible.

Lights of this intensity are not designed simply for lighting up an area, but as a painful deterent and distraction.

As others have posted, being prepared is not the same as being afraid. We have first aid kits that go out with every canoe/group, and a much larger base camp first aid kit in camp. We carry PLB's. We have storm whistles and bear spray. And yes, firearms.

All are simply tools and part of being prepared for any situation.

I would argue that those fully prepared in this way are the ones that have no need to be afraid of any situation they face, vs, those that bring none of these items because they "aren't afraid".

quote ockycamper: "I have not tried tactical lights on a bear, but I have on dogs, deer, and lots of other animals. Their first reaction to being hit with 800 to 1200 lumens is to freeze in place, followed by running away as fast as possible.


Lights of this intensity are not designed simply for lighting up an area, but as a painful deterent and distraction.


As others have posted, being prepared is not the same as being afraid. We have first aid kits that go out with every canoe/group, and a much larger base camp first aid kit in camp. We carry PLB's. We have storm whistles and bear spray. And yes, firearms.


All are simply tools and part of being prepared for any situation.


I would argue that those fully prepared in this way are the ones that have no need to be afraid of any situation they face, vs, those that bring none of these items because they "aren't afraid"."

well put

quote s500yards: "It's a fixed 45 lumen light and has been with me on every bwca trip and rides in my front left pocket every single day. Rarely do I wish I had anything with higher output. If anything less is better. "

mine is on a lanard around my neck, when I turn the light off I want to be able to see within a couple seconds, not a couple minutes. I have a cheapo that I bought for 3-4 bucks, works great on a single AAA, I have a headlamp that is a bit more powerful if I need it.
A tactical light seems like something the motorboat crowd would use.

I would suggest filing the lip off your tactical flashlight and trying to get it nice and smooth and then applying a thin coating of oil. That way when the bear grabs it from you and rams it up your keister after you shine a light in it's eyes it won't hurt you as bad.

All joking aside, a light as bear deterrent is ridiculous. I have 1.5 million candlepower spotlight. That would be about 78,000+ Lumens. I have shined it on all manner of critters while predator hunting at night and it's no more a deterrent than saying , 'Hey Bear' in a loud voice is. Black bear are by in large a reclusive timid animal. You probably have a better chance of getting attacked by a moose than you do a black bear. Having hunted black bears for 20 years I feel just fine in the BWCA without bear spray, a pistol.....or even the dreaded 'tactial' flashlight....be careful....you'll shine your eye out.