Torches!

[ImTriggerHappy]

I think there's a lot of misunderstandings regarding the tactics of light employment in this thread. Nobody who has even the faintest clue what they're doing ever walks around with a 300-500 lumen light set to constant on; or indeed turns on their light for any more than about half a second when there's any chance there might be enemy presence close by (and only then if it's really necessary).

All my weapon lights are equipped with momentary-only switches/remote pads. When you need light to navigate, you have something small in the range of sub-50 lumens using red, green or blue and obviously use it as sparingly as possible but just as much as is necessary to not break your face on something. The light on your pistol or rifle will depend on your environment as if you're outside you want something brighter than if you're indoors (especially with white walls) but will generally be white and 200+ lumens. You use it in short, controlled bursts to highlight your target once you're actually engaged with said target, then fire and move inbetween firing the light to keep an eye on the enemy. If it's a strong light and they've been in the dark for even a minute or so it'll be disorienting to the enemy. Regardless of how much their eyes have adjusted the source of the light they're seeing won't be small enough to give an accurate aiming point; often quite the opposite and they'll likely see a very large cone of light. When combined with the fact you should be moving and they're trying to fire back while taking fire themselves, they shouldn't be able to get a proper bead on you at all, whereas you will have seen them clearly through proper employment of your light and will be able to get a precise aim on them.

Not having a dig at anyone, but I think there will be lurkers who aren't familiar with this sort of thing as it's rarely mentioned in airsoft.

Doesnt always work quite like that. If you play at somewhere like the mall quote a few regulars can move around in the pitch black because we know the layout so well. This enables us to go hunting for the enemy and anybody who uses a torch even for a split second is an easy target you just shoot for center of the light.I only use a light to draw people out or defensively to light up a point of entry.

I think how you use a light depends on the environment and the opposition. If you are are facing people who know a layout so well then they work against you. If you are both on unfamiliar groud then the person using the light effectively definitely has the upper hand.

 

[TheFull9]

Wouldn't dream of suggesting it always works like that, I'm talking basic real-world tactics that you can apply to any environment, regardless of knowing the place you're in like the back of your hand (or not). Personally I don't ever go to the same place often enough to learn it down-pat, so I use a light the same way I would in reality. I like the practice aspect of doing that.

Either way, from a safety aspect, using a small nav light, or indeed any light, never works against you. Plenty of crap to trip over at The Mall (as an indoor example) and even more brick walls to smack your head on if you do fall over.

 

[Esoterick]

One thing I think some people overlook is how use of light effects your team. I've had a couple of occasions at The Outpost where a team mate turns his torch on and off checking different areas, my eyes were adjusted to the dark but now it's basically impossible to see without that damn torch lol.

I'm not saying people shouldn't do it but it goes from me thinking that i'll get used to the dark to thinking I wish I had a torch now as my eyes can't adjust.

 

[shortman]

Im not saying it works agianst you but it can certianly give up a position, i play bunker most of the time and all it takes is a shining torch two tunnels over and you know exactly where to head to get people! And i agree as all the torches i use have flash switches/pads but again that few secs can be enough for people a few tunnels away to start homing in on you! You are quite right the site itself will have alot to do with the efectiveness of the torch and the way you can use it. But is a clear concept if you turn one on you stand as much chance being seen as you do being able to now see.

 

[TheFull9]

Im not saying it works agianst you but it can certianly give up a position, i play bunker most of the time and all it takes is a shining torch two tunnels over and you know exactly where to head to get people! And i agree as all the torches i use have flash switches/pads but again that few secs can be enough for people a few tunnels away to start homing in on you! You are quite right the site itself will have alot to do with the efectiveness of the torch and the way you can use it. But is a clear concept if you turn one on you stand as much chance being seen as you do being able to now see.

I agree with what you've said, but you seem to have ignored what I mentioned about nav lights. A 20-30 lumen light in red, green or blue will certainly not be visible from long distances/across lanes/around corners etc the way a strong white light would; very far from it. If people flash their weapon lights around just for the purposes of seeing where they're going then that's a problem with their specific equipment and tactics, it's not a problem with lights.

One thing we all got told to buy going through basic was a small Gerber torch with filters for the above mentioned colour as well as white, we all used them extensively through many long nights and they worked well indeed. A white light will absolutely give away your position as well as ruining your night vision along with the rest of your teams'; a small red light will not do any of those things realistically when used properly. Airsofters just don't take this in to account as they're not aware of it, you can't bunch all lights in one category as all having the same effects.

 

[shortman]

I agree again and you are right i didnt mention it. I do actually own one too, and it has red,green and blue filter lenses in the storage cap at thebottom too. I do agree as the green light works great for not messing with your adjusted eyes in the dark.

 

[Jedi_Master]

I played at the UCAP Bunker on Wednesday and was like a mobile lighthouse using my new Fenix PD35 (960 lumens on turbo and strobe!). Had a hire smg so the torch was handheld. Whilst not tactically sound, using white light did allow me to see where I was going to avoid trip hazards and in an attempt to learn more of the complex site. Still managed to get geographically challenged on several occasions, and ended in the opposition team re-spawn.

As an aside, I think that the Bunker should have some decent mapping for players, especially the new ones, to help work out where they are. A location gets referenced for an objective but there is no way for new players to know where the hell it is or how to get there. It would be even better if a marshal gave a quick orientation tour.

With more familiarity I hope that there will be less requirement for lights and more tactical play. Will go back to using a green filter for navigation. The regulars are like ninjas running around in the dark and taking out players in the back. Tracer fire does look impressive in the dark though.

 

[djben9]

the Gerber Recon?, with twist dial, have one in the car so my wife can read a map and check on kids in back at night if needed!, nice little torch