laser dazzler - anyone tried one

[roscoe]

I was on the UNLV campus yesterday, barricaded in a room. Naturally, I was unarmed and, sitting there for three hours waiting for police to clear the building had me thinking of legal ways to have a self-defense weapon on campus. A few faculty members have some traditional spears / arrows on their walls from their years of fieldwork with various tribes, but realistically the only thing I thought was remotely useful might be a Massai spear. That would definitely do you in if someone got in close. Yes, I had a pocketknife.

But the proximity issue had me thinking of something like a laser dazzler that you might use to blind a shooter while folks ran for safety, or to allow you to get in close. Has anyone used one? I am aware the military uses them as non-lethals and I see them online. None of the names of the companies are familiar to me. Any experience?

Yes, I am aware a handgun would be better and a rifle would be even better. But they are not allowed and faculty jobs are hard enough to come by that I am not going to carry on on-campus. And to be honest, as jumpy as the swarms of police were yesterday, if they even remotely thought they saw someone with a firearm (and no big POLICE vest on), you would have been put down in seconds.

 

[The Glockodile]

Wicked Lasers used to sell this thing, long ago.

 

[roscoe]

View attachment 1183327

Wicked Lasers used to sell this thing, long ago.

That is pretty much what I see when I google 'laser dazzler'. Does anyone know if they are any good? It has that tacticool marketing thing going, which always makes me suspicious.

 

[Mk-211]

If I had kids in school right now, I would be shopping for something like this.

https://bulletproofzone.com/collections/bags-backpacks

If I was in college, I would carry and keep my mouth shut.

 

[roscoe]

If I had kids in school right now, I would be shopping for something like this.

https://bulletproofzone.com/collections/bags-backpacks

If I was in college, I would carry and keep my mouth shut.

Yeah, but I am faculty, with a lot to lose if I am caught. Like I said, drawing a weapon in those circumstances, unless you are literally under fire yourself, is a risky proposition. And aside from the police taking you for a target, a college campus is full of people - it's not like the proverbial dark alley where there is little risk of inadvertently hitting a bystander.

 

[starnbar]

If that is a red laser remember in a tense situation that laser can be mistaken for a red dot sight under duress and might get you shot. Just an observation but if you think under pressure people will know the difference have at it.

 

[westernrover]

If you have a place to keep it, a plate carrier is a good idea. I'm supposing you won't wear concealed soft armor regularly, and if you only don the armor as needed, then you might as well have some level 4 plates. Ceramic/UHMWPE level 4 plates are affordable as long as you don't need them to be thin and light.

I advise EDC OC spray. POM, Sabre, whatever. If you have a place to keep it, get a giant can also. The 16 oz cans the size of spray paint are good, but if you can, get the riot control size. They're like fire extinguishers in size. You want the distance.

 

[Mizar]

A good quality stream pepper spray coupled with an inert training unit, so you can get proficient with it.
For a peace of mind, the Husqvarna forest axe is a good budget friendly choice - it's a very useful tool and can double as a strong argument in heated academical disputes.

 

[westernrover]

You could look into less lethal launchers -- personally, I'd forget the wimpy Kimber gimmick. But an FN303 launcher with OC balls is good to go if you have the means. Pepperball has rifle style launchers, but it's not clear they'll sell anything but the little pistol to consumers. B&T makes a 40mm launcher for SIR impact rounds. It looks like a NFA item. I don't know if that would run afoul of the university's policies.

 

[hso]

if they even remotely thought they saw someone with a firearm (and no big POLICE vest on), you would have been put down in seconds.

What would they do if they thought it was a laser on a rifle?

The same thing.

I would understand if you're frustrated and experiencing a little survivor remorse, but if you don't have a weapon at hand that will be effective at the range you find yourself, be a good witness and call in the exact location of the attacker so LE can respond more quickly to stop the attack if you don't have the means.

 

[Flat Rock]

GLARE MOUT is what you seek
there are available on the web used. VERY effective

 

[rust collector]

A lecturer should always have a powerful green laser pointer. I don't know how effective it could be in your hypothetical, but anything would beat nothing. It does reveal your position, so may well draw fire in your direction. If you hit a shooter's eyes, return fire would likely not be aimed very effectively. It would require nerves of steel to keep it on target and could result in collateral damage. Likely best to shoot and scoot. Still, it might point a shooter in a different direction. Might make a good stocking stuffer, but should be accessible only to responsible humans. Buying decisions are hampered by lack of specs, because the truth might get the importers in hot water, but the specs would likely not be accurate anyway. Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Pointer-Rech...eywords=green+laser+pointer+high+power&sr=8-4

I picked a similar model up about a year ago, but the model I purchased has been withdrawn. Caution is always advised with inexpensive lithium powered toys, as they may react badly to being overcharged.

 

[armoredman]

Gladius and a VERY bright flashlight.

 

[hso]

anything would beat nothing. It does reveal your position, so may well draw fire in your direction

The latter contradicts the former. Drawing fire while accomplishing nothing is like jumping up and waiving your arms yelling "Shoot ME, Shoot ME" as a distraction...to be avoided.

 

[rust collector]

I don't remember stating that a laser was accomplishing nothing. Here's a link to a study done from the LEO perspective.
https://www.acep.org/talem/newsroom...juries---prevention-diagnosis-and-management/

 

[roscoe]

GLARE MOUT is what you seek
there are available on the web used. VERY effective

I just saw this. Is there an equivalent that just looks like a flashlight and won't draw too much attention?

 

[roscoe]

A lecturer should always have a powerful green laser pointer. I don't know how effective it could be in your hypothetical, but anything would beat nothing. It does reveal your position, so may well draw fire in your direction. If you hit a shooter's eyes, return fire would likely not be aimed very effectively. It would require nerves of steel to keep it on target and could result in collateral damage. Likely best to shoot and scoot. Still, it might point a shooter in a different direction. Might make a good stocking stuffer, but should be accessible only to responsible humans. Buying decisions are hampered by lack of specs, because the truth might get the importers in hot water, but the specs would likely not be accurate anyway. Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Pointer-Rech...eywords=green+laser+pointer+high+power&sr=8-4

I picked a similar model up about a year ago, but the model I purchased has been withdrawn. Caution is always advised with inexpensive lithium powered toys, as they may react badly to being overcharged.

I do definitely have a laser pointer, but my understanding is that a dazzler spreads the light field out. I feel like it would be tough to hit someone's eyes with a tiny point of light,

 

[The Glockodile]

GLARE MOUT is what you seek
there are available on the web used. VERY effective

Where can you buy one of these?

 

[shoobe01]

I do definitely have a laser pointer, but my understanding is that a dazzler spreads the light field out. I feel like it would be tough to hit someone's eyes with a tiny point of light,

This. While possible, slow and hard and you are shining a light at them so they can see you doing it.

Also: not a dazzler. Only way it works to reduce the threat is by being a blinding device, which elevates you to have a weapon in some mindsets. Dazzlers like the Glare Mout are explicitly non-damaging.


They come up for sale regularly enough on relevant forums, FB groups, and sometimes on eBay, Gunbroker, etc