Do any LEO’s or high speed low drag door kicker types actually use strobes?

December 03, 2019, 12:20 PM

I find it a bit annoying that EVERY flashlight these days seems to have the “disco setting” and I was just wondering if they REALLY are used for defensive/offensive type uses by folks who really might do so?

December 03, 2019, 12:27 PM

RogueJSK

I have the strobe feature specifically disabled on my weaponlights, since I don't use it, and it only serves to frustrate me when I activate it inadvertently when trying to do brief momentary lighting.

(For those who are wondering, Streamlight TLR-1S and TLR-1HL lights have a button press system to disable the strobe feature. Press briefly down on the momentary lever 10x, and hold down on the 10th push for 5ish seconds. After 5ish seconds, the light should flash and turn off, letting you know the strobe is successfully disabled. Repeat it to enable strobe again, if you decide you want it in the future.)

December 03, 2019, 02:12 PM

92fstech

quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I have the strobe feature specifically disabled on my weaponlights, since I don't use it, and it only serves to frustrate me when I activate it inadvertently when trying to do brief momentary lighting.

(For those who are wondering, Streamlight TLR-1S and TLR-1HL lights have a button press system to disable the strobe feature. Press briefly down on the momentary lever 10x, and hold down on the 10th push for 5ish seconds. After 5ish seconds, the light should flash and turn off, letting you know the strobe is successfully disabled. Repeat it to enable strobe again, if you decide you want it in the future.)

You, sir, are my hero. I've hated that stupid strobe mode for years, and now it's gone. Ya learn something new every day!

December 03, 2019, 02:17 PM

RogueJSK

Now you know, and...

December 03, 2019, 02:29 PM

Black92LX

The strobe tends to do well disorienting drunks but that is about it.

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December 03, 2019, 03:56 PM

Chowser

Never used it. It always turns on when I don't want it. If I can turn it off on my WMLs and handhelds, I turn it off.

December 03, 2019, 05:09 PM

YooperSigs

Useless feature and an annoyance. I guess it MIGHT be useful if you were lost in the wilderness and were trying to signal search aircraft.

December 03, 2019, 05:10 PM

JasonTN

I have disabled the feature on my Streamlights as well. I don’t need it for my uses.

December 03, 2019, 05:46 PM

jljones

quote:
Originally posted by Black92LX:
The strobe tends to do well disorienting drunks but that is about it.

And rookie cops.

December 03, 2019, 07:06 PM

egregore

I am neither type, but I can see it being as dazzling or disorienting to the user as the person it is being used on.

December 03, 2019, 07:16 PM

cslinger

Thanks that’s about what I suspected.

I as well disable the strobe where possible.

Although I guess if you are plugging a tango full auto and you want to show him the old bullets going backwards magic trick before he dies....well there is that use.

December 03, 2019, 07:43 PM

DaBigBR

I don't think I'm high speed, but nope... don't use strobe.

December 03, 2019, 08:16 PM

10round

Not on WML but it comes in handy on a regular flashliht when getting people's attention in traffic at accident scenes and flagging in the ambulance when you're in a backyard or bushes.

December 03, 2019, 08:30 PM

jbourneidentity

quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I have the strobe feature specifically disabled on my weaponlights, since I don't use it, and it only serves to frustrate me when I activate it inadvertently when trying to do brief momentary lighting.

(For those who are wondering, Streamlight TLR-1S and TLR-1HL lights have a button press system to disable the strobe feature. Press briefly down on the momentary lever 10x, and hold down on the 10th push for 5ish seconds. After 5ish seconds, the light should flash and turn off, letting you know the strobe is successfully disabled. Repeat it to enable strobe again, if you decide you want it in the future.)

^^^THIS. Couldn't agree more.

December 03, 2019, 08:37 PM

dehughes

quote:
Originally posted by 92fstech:
quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I have the strobe feature specifically disabled on my weaponlights, since I don't use it, and it only serves to frustrate me when I activate it inadvertently when trying to do brief momentary lighting.

(For those who are wondering, Streamlight TLR-1S and TLR-1HL lights have a button press system to disable the strobe feature. Press briefly down on the momentary lever 10x, and hold down on the 10th push for 5ish seconds. After 5ish seconds, the light should flash and turn off, letting you know the strobe is successfully disabled. Repeat it to enable strobe again, if you decide you want it in the future.)

You, sir, are my hero. I've hated that stupid strobe mode for years, and now it's gone. Ya learn something new every day!

Thank God for this. I'm doing this to every TLR-1 I own right now...

And thank you for posting that. I've always hated the strobe feature.

December 03, 2019, 09:18 PM

mlazarus

To the OP, no.

December 04, 2019, 12:07 AM

CPD SIG

quote:
Originally posted by jljones:
quote:
Originally posted by Black92LX:
The strobe tends to do well disorienting drunks but that is about it.

And rookie cops.

Which is why I use mine on a weekly basis!

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December 04, 2019, 08:03 AM

enidpd804

No. The only time they might be useful is disorientation during HR and that can be just as easily and more effectively accomplished in manual mode. I've never heard of anyone in legit SWAT actually using strobes.