What exactly happens when you hit somebody with over 1,000lumens at night?

[ripnbst]

I'd personally carry it on without any concern. I am talking about the one that does not have a glass smashing face ring on it.

If you get questioned don't be all informed like you know everything about it. Be another dumb American. "Uhh, its a flashlight guys, I use it to find things in the dark." That's all you know about it.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

(I don't know if those batteries would be easily purchased in the UK, but that could be another option.)

You can certainly get CR123a batteries in England with no problem. At worst, you would just need to go to a camera shop. You can find 18650s there online just like here.
http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/batteries/lithium-rechargeable-batteries.html

 

[timelinex]

YES. It is this bad. They might search you to the point where you will be angry.

For example...I flew from Saint Martin to JFK. I was searched once as I walked into the airport then there was another search point then came US customs where they pulled me into the secondary inspection area for no reason. Once all my bags were thoroughly xrayed and my personal items dumped everywhere I went on my way. Then right as it was time to get on the plane these guards come out with folding tables to do yet another search. Again my belongings dumped on the jetway for me to pick up.

The Philippines...we pull into the airport with a taxi and before we get to the terminal they stop us at a checkpoint with armed dudes going through my bag. Next as we enter the terminal there is a checkpoint where all my stuff is dumped and a dog barking at everyone. Then comes customs and yet another belonging dump. Finally another third checkpoint through a detector and everyone gets frisked.

Need I go on. Dont take anything the least bit questionable overseas.

Wow, sound like you have had some bad luck cases.

I've been on a bunch of international flight and I never have issues. Maybe you do something that makes yourself look suspicious? It would be impossible for you to tell, since it's your natural behavior.. The only thing I have ever had was a quick pat down, finger testing for bomb material or going through my carry on if I forgot to take out a liquid.

Btw, look into getting the new global access and precheck program. It will be make both your customs and tsa line experiences much more pleasant.

 

[johnelmore]

No it was not my behavior. On flights out of Central, South America and the islands its common for them to come out with folding tables to search everyone boarding the plane especially in flights into New York. At every foreign airport, especially ones in third world countries, they sometimes have 2-3 searches before you get on the plane. Some foreign terminals wont let you in the terminal itself without a search.

As a general rule, if you are checking the internet wondering whether or not you should take it aboard...you probably should leave it at home.

 

[ripnbst]

As a general rule, if you are checking the internet wondering whether or not you should take it aboard...you probably should leave it at home.

I would typically agree with you but we are talking about a flashlight here.

To answer the OP I have no clue what putting 2700 lumens into someone's retina in a dark environment would do.

Look up the lumens on a genuine "club" strobe light. Those suckers are bright and people look into them. You see spots for a couple minutes but no noticeable permanent damage.

 

[James K]

"We are talking about a flashlight here."

Yep, a special flashlight that can be used as a weapon, and airport security knows it as well as you do. And what is your need for a flashlight on an airplane? Do you think the lights are going to go out?

Sure, you can buy an identical item in the destination country. You can buy a knife or box cutter in England, but that doesn't mean you can carry one on a plane.

Jim

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Back in the day, Surefire had 60 lumen flashlights that they advertised as weapons. Then it was 100, 130, 200, etc.

They can all be used "as a weapon."

Yep, a special flashlight that can be used as a weapon, and airport security knows it as well as you do. And what is your need for a flashlight on an airplane? Do you think the lights are going to go out?

Really? Based on the flashlights mounted on the bulkheads, galley, and cockpit, the airlines certainly think it is a possibility.

 

[MLeake]

Need for a flashlight on an airplane?

It could help in the event of an emergency egress after a ground or landing emergency.

I typically carry a flashlight when flying as a passenger.

When flying as a pilot, I am required to have a flashlight for night operations.

 

[Buzzcook]

Keep the light in the stowed baggage since it's intended use is at the destination not the on the plane.


I just gotta ask, what freakishly dangerous part of Europe is the OP going to?

 

[MLeake]

Buzzcook, earlier we discussed that Li batteries probably can not go in checked baggage, but would have to be in carry-on, installed in a legal device. Li batteries pose potential fire hazards. The OP will need to check with the airline.

 

[Caboclo]

I travelled from the US to Manchester, England in 2003. Got there early in the morning, and there was no customs on duty at all. Immigration checked my passport, but there was no one going through anyone's bags. Flew around Ireland and Germany, no one ever asked to look into a bag. Earlier this year, I flew from the US to Brazil and back, again no bag checks on either end.

As others have said, if you do get your bags checked, you will get in a lot more trouble for the lithium batteries than for the flashlight. Any airline's website will have info on how many batteries you can carry in your luggage.

And, as someone else said, do remember the travel electrical adapter.

 

[Jim March]

I'll check on the battery issue, stat.

As to threats, the rate of random street violence in London is FAR, far higher than in the US. Odds of being mugged at night as a tourist are...well, bad, if you get into the wrong area but even in the "good" areas, it's BAD.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-zero-Londons-Westfield-Shopping-centres.html

Look at the levels of crime in just one big shopping center in a month:

* "Violent crime" at 235

* 52 robberies

* "Public disorder and weapons" at 142, and whatever that is, it's separate from the much less common "simple posession of weapons" at 3

* Violence and sexual offenses: 37

Again: that is ONE shopping mall.

Still think I'm paranoid?

 

[johnelmore]

Lets get back on topic.

A flashlight is an essential part of gear for everyone. For the professional user like a police officer its best to get a CR123. Usually the professional users have a good supply of CR123s which are expensive and not as available as other batteries. For the non-professional user its best to get AA battery based lights. A 48 pack of Kirkland AA is just 15 dollars so you could be blacked out for weeks and still have some AA left over. AAs are all over the place in any standard household and the last battery on the shelves right before a big storm. The professional user probably has a closet worth of CR123 back at their base of operations where as the casual user doesnt have that 100 pack case of them at home. Lithium is not as stable as alkaline so there is that greater danger of fire and explosion although these are rare instances. In that regard its best to get high quality CR123 from Surefire. If you are a CR123 user during a blackout its advised to use lower power settings while the guys with the big pack of AAs can use the higher settings.

As for the disorienting effect of a 2800 lumen+ light...yes it will make a person dizzy and sick, but the effect can be unknown. In fact, it might cause someone to fire right at the light or provoke an aggressive reaction which might have not been there had you not flashed the light. Some professional users are taught to shine the light off axis by raising it up high so if someone does fire at the light they will hit the hand at best. Other professional users are taught to avoid shining the light at all.

As for the airport, whoa is you for bringing anything into the airport which even remotely looks like a weapon. A 3 D cell maglite will probably be a no-go where as a 2 double A minilight may not get much attention. A cranulated light may get questioned. If you enjoy being stopped getting asked awkward questions sure bring it along. As a rule of thumb if you are asking questions whether or not it should be brought aboard then you shouldnt bring it. The airports I go to there is always lots of searching and awkward questions. I avoid bringing anything I dont really need in that regard which is the best travel advice.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Buzzcook, earlier we discussed that Li batteries probably can not go in checked baggage, but would have to be in carry-on, installed in a legal device. Li batteries pose potential fire hazards. The OP will need to check with the airline.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/safe-travel-batteries-and-devices

As of January 1, 2008, the Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) no longer allows loose lithium batteries in checked baggage.

----------------------

As for the airport, whoa is you for bringing anything into the airport which even remotely looks like a weapon. A 3 D cell maglite will probably be a no-go where as a 2 double A minilight may not get much attention. A cranulated light may get questioned.

3 cell maglite might, but then again a 3 cell maglite exceeds the tool size restriction for carryon items.

At least the Tiny Monsters I have looked up so far all are under the 7" tool restriction maximum.

As for the crenulated bezel, I have traveled with flashlights with crenulated bezels and had no problem. They are not considered to be a knife or sharp object.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items

Tools (greater than seven inches in length)

...are prohibited.

------------------------

Still think I'm paranoid?

Cherry-picking stats to support your fears isn't a sign of NOT being paranoid. Are you going to be visiting that shopping center?

 

[johnelmore]

Just wanted to add that it does say that even if an item is generally permitted if it poses security concerns you wont be able to bring it on. So the cranulated bezel or tactical looking flashlight might be a go in a Utah airport but it might be a no go in Baltimore. It all depends on who is checking that day and their opinion on the issues.

 

[MLeake]

Then again, that is why we ask to speak with a supervisor.

 

[Yankee Doodle]

FWIW, Due to family ties, I have traveled to London 4-6 times a year for the last 10 years or so. I have also, on numerous occasions, traveled extensively through Europe. In all this time, I have never felt, or had the need of any sort of weaponry to protect myself.
However, not being a complete idiot, I do take a couple of precautions.
If you are going to spend any time in England, buy a London Bobby's whistle. This can be taken on any aircraft. At the FIRST sign of a problem, blow the crap out of it. This is their police call for help, and they will be there too fast to be believed. (Been there, done that)
In other words, go and enjoy your trip. Don't call attention to yourself, and if outside of Great Britain take your American Flag lapel pins off your clothing.
In G.B., Americans are usually treated almost like family. The continent is another matter. (France sucks)
If the lights go out, a Mini-Maglite is all you need.
Final word of advise, bring a couple of rolls of toilet paper. You won't believe the crap they use on the continent.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Just wanted to add that it does say that even if an item is generally permitted if it poses security concerns you wont be able to bring it on. So the cranulated bezel or tactical looking flashlight might be a go in a Utah airport but it might be a no go in Baltimore. It all depends on who is checking that day and their opinion on the issues.

Yes, and by this logic, the TSA can disallow anything they feel is a problem. Again, I have carried them on planes. Last time was one with a crenulated bezel and 400+ lumens of power. The security guy turned on my light to see if it worked, shined it on the carpet, turned it off, and put it back in my carry-on bag.

Then again, that is why we ask to speak with a supervisor.

Right.

 

[3.Shot.Group.]

I was in Sweden recently, and I had reservations about what it was going to be like. I had visions of muggers and also of hostile police/soldiers like you might expect to find in Russia. lol When I got off the plane at Arlanda/Stockholm there were indeed armed security there looking very much like hardcore soldiers, the first three I saw as soon as stepped off the escalator, one had and AK-47, one had and MPK-5, and the other I think was carring a FAL(the long gun type), but they were very friendly and helpful.

I spend about six weeks in country, in a city of around 55,000 people, and the entire time I was there I heard exactly 1 police siren, and it was because someone had borrowed a bicycle without permission. So much for big bad Europe.

The cleanest place I've ever seen also, and the people were all very orderly and proper. It was an eye opening experience for a westerner who's be taught from childhood that we live in the best country in the world.

 

[tomrkba]

What exactly happens when you hit somebody with over 1,000lumens at night?

They get lit up. Maybe they'll catch fire.