Tactical flashlights are rugged, powerful, and a truly life-saving tool in challenging environments. The market is flooded with various models making it difficult for consumers to find the best choice among many models and features, so let’s get started!
Today let’s talk about the Olight specifically, I’m going to do a big comparison of the best self-defense flashlights between two of the most popular models in the Olight Warrior series right now and share some tips on using a flashlight as a self-defense tool. Please continue reading.
Warrior Nano VS.Warrior 3s Specs
Warrior Nano Small Tactical Light | Warrior 3s Tactical Light | |
Max Performance | 1200 lumens | 2,300 lumens |
Beam Distance | 442 ft (135 m) | 984 ft (300 m) |
Compatible Batteries | Customized 1100mAh 3.6V 18350 Rechargeable Battery | Customized 3.6V 5000mAh 21700 Lithium-ion Battery |
Max Light Intensity | 4,697 candela | 23,000 Candela |
Mode Operation | Side Switch & Tail Switch | Side Switch & Tail Switch |
Strobe | Yes | Yes |
Waterproof | IPX8 | IPX8 |
Weight | 3.0 oz (85 g) (Including Battery, Pocket Clip) | 6.21 oz (176 g) (Including Battery) |
Length | 3.19 in (81mm) | 5.47 in (139 mm) |
Body Diameter | 0.91 in (23 mm) | 1.16 in (29.5 mm) |
I selected two of my go-to self-defense flashlights from the Olight Warrior flashlight collection. I thought carefully about which flashlights could actually be used as self-defense tools and whether any of them would be included in my usual self-defense kit.
So, what kind of flashlight qualifies as a self-defense flashlight?
This is a very important question. Based on my experience, I have compiled some common characteristics of self-defense flashlights.
♦First of all, in my personal opinion and from my experience, a most effective self-defense flashlight must have a tail switch. Because the tail switch is so easy to operate, you only need to press the switch to get the desired light output every time. You won't accidentally touch the touchpad and enter flash mode or low-brightness mode, or switch modes. When you press the tail button, you can be sure you'll get an output of a specific brightness and light intensity, so you can rely on the flashlight's consistent output in self-defense situations. In a self-defense situation, time is of the essence. You don’t want to think about how to use a tool in an emergency, you just want to use it. You want your flashlight to be reliable, regardless of how it operates.
As for Olight’s two tactical flashlights, Warrior Nano and Warrior 3s, their tail designs are very unique. In addition to a tail switch, there is also a side switch. With the tail switch, you won't accidentally change modes, and thanks to their very straightforward user interface design, you'll be able to enter Turbo mode quickly. This is the first point, your self defense light needs a tail switch, very simple.
♦The second point is that you have to be able to light up instantly, that's non-negotiable. If you can't use a self-defense light for instant lighting, then in my personal opinion and experience, it doesn't make sense. Because in some cases, using a self-defense light does not mean turning on the light and keeping it on. Sometimes it may only be necessary to light it up briefly. So there are some situations where I'll use a light and then move approach, like a boxer, light and move, light and move. If your light cannot light up instantly, I think it cannot be called a self-defense light, or it does not meet the characteristics that a self-defense light should have.
♦The third point is that it must have floodlights. Spotlights may be good in some ways for military law enforcement and the like, but for everyday self-defense lights you need a floodlight because you need to see your surroundings. There's no point if you can illuminate one person directly but can't see two or three people to the left and right. Ambient fill light is very important.
♦The fourth point is that it has to be portable. There's no point in having a big flashlight if it doesn't fit in your pocket. A self-defense light should be something you carry with you, you need to take it with you, if you can't take it with you then it has no point.
♦Last but not least, it must have instant start functionality. In a self-defense situation, you can't waste time obsessing over patterns. If your light doesn't have an instant turbo function, throw it away and don't use it as a self-defense tool, that's my strong recommendation.
So there are two situations where you would use a flashlight as a self-defense tool: home defense and outdoor self-defense. Also for tactical flashlights, I will only talk about lumens and candelas, because these are the most important indicators of light performance.
Okay, now let’s introduce the Olight Warrior flashlight one by one. First of all, the first flashlight I chose was Olight’s best-selling tactical flashlight Warrior 3s.
Warrior 3s Review:
Warriors 3s is a great flashlight for self-defense. It's very reliable and durable, feels good in the hand, has a 21700 battery, is large and heavy, and has an attack head that's great for striking. The most impressive thing is its side switches and tail buttons. The tail button provides a continuous lighting function and also provides a short lighting effect. Once released, it will turn off, but if you press it completely, it will enter the strobe mode. The Warrior 3s offers an instant Turbo mode of up to 2300 lumens, with a candela rating of 23,000, which is a pretty good combination of lumens and candela. It's going to be very, very dazzling. Even for daily use, the side switch can select low, medium, and high brightness, which is very practical.
Warrior Nano Review:
Olight’s latest small tactical flashlight, the Warrior Nano. I think the Warrior Nano is the best EDC on the market right now, this will become a hot seller, and the Olight will probably become a hot topic among flashlight enthusiasts, why? It has a similar UI design to Warrior 3s, and you can adjust the brightness through the side switch. When you need to defend yourself, just click the switch on the tail, and it will provide you with 1200 lumens of ultra-high brightness. When you click three times in a row, it will enter strobe mode and maintain the same output state. I prefer this flashlight in comparison, purely because it is slimmer and smaller, and you can see the size difference between it and the Warrior 3s flashlight. Very nice and compact Warrior Nano compared to the larger Warrior 3s.
However, the Warrior Nano flashlight is a small tactical flashlight customized by Olight with 18350 batteries. One advantage of it is that the battery is removable and you can replace it with the same custom-made battery as Olight, so it is definitely one of the winning candidates.
It comes with a very deep pocket clip and you can also see that there is a hole in the hold clip to allow for a cord to be attached which makes it easy to get it out of the pocket and have it ready to go.
Prepare a Tactical Flashlight at Home
Lights can give you unexpected effects, giving you a second or two while your attacker regains sight, and the choices you make during that time will determine whether or not you escape. Let's take an outdoor example. You're on your way from the office to your car at night. It's still dark, and you notice someone following you or some suspicious people around you. What should you do? First, don't leave the light in your pocket, bag, or anywhere else. If you're lucky enough to notice the threat before it becomes an imminent threat, take the light out or out of the bag and hold it in your hand. Have it on hand if you think you might need to use it, you need to react quickly in such situations. So keep the light in your hand, I always tell my family, when walking at night or if you have any worries, just have the light and be ready to use it, simple.
Also please have a self-defense flashlight indoors as well, I don't know why you wouldn't do that even if the power goes out it would be beneficial, I always have a tactical flashlight next to my bed if I hear a noise in the house I grab it It, I will take action to keep my family safe, guys, I hope this article is helpful to you.
