Why Does a Torch Need the SoS or Strobe Function?

Have you ever wondered: why flashlights have a strobe feature?

Why would anyone need to have such a thing on their flashlight?

There are a handful of reasons modern flashlights come equipped with strobe. Strobe function in LED lights is useful in tactical situations to temporarily blind your attacker thus giving you ample time to escape or further attack them. It is also useful for urgently signaling attention.

What is the SOS and strobe mode?

1. SOS mode

The SOS is a commonly used emergency signal. It is taken from Morse code, where the S is represented by 3 dots and the O by 3 dashes when typed consecutively in a telegraph machine. The SOS signal can also be signaled in Morse code by lighting up the flashlight. This means that the flashlight shines 3x short, 3x long, and again 3x short. This worldwide known code can be used in threatening and dangerous situations.

Hopefully, this feature will never be needed, but if it is, in any kind of emergency, whether man-made or natural, you can rely on this feature to make others aware of you and your emergency!

2. Strobe mode

Strobe lights have been around since the 1930s and are used in a wide variety of applications. The "strobe" is a blinding stimulating effect or a series of intermittent flashes of light. They are highly disorienting and can confuse wild animals or enemies. The high brightness also makes it difficult to see you and your exact position. The strobe function, or strobe for short, is therefore primarily used to ward off threats. In this way, you can deter attackers or wild animals and protect yourself without violence automatically occurring. However, please note that this mode is for serious use only and should never be used to shine a light in someone's eyes for fun as it may cause temporary blindness.

3 Rare Benefits of Stroben a Torch Light

Like it or not there are some scenarios in which the strobe feature can come in very handy. In this section, we provide three of the most common instances.

1. When you need to signal for attention:

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to signal for the attention of somebody else, but they can’t see or hear you? Maybe it’s because there is too much background noise, and your voice alone won’t cut through.

Then, what do you do?

Of course, this would be the ideal time to use that strobe feature on your flashlight as a signal instead.

It has been proven that a light that is doing something (blinking) is more attention-grabbing than one that is literally doing nothing.

So, using the strobe rather than the standard light from your flashlight for signaling or attention-grabbing purposes will be more effective.

This is why it is highly recommended that a good flashlight for night hiking MUST be equipped with a strobe function.

2. When you need to evade an attacker at night:

There are so many scenarios that this comes in handy.

For example, perhaps you’re walking home from work alone and a shady character starts following closely and uncomfortably behind you.

In such a scenario, you might want to whip out your flashlight for quick defense.

By using the strobe feature, you can disrupt their vision making it difficult for them to see what’s going on around you. By now, you would have bought yourself ample time to get a few steps ahead of them to safety.

The reason why the strobe is so effective is because of how disorientating light (even more disorienting when it is blinking) can be for someone who suddenly sees one.

3. When you need to give direction at night:

Directing friends over to your house at night can be challenging especially when there are many similar houses around the neighborhood.

One simple fix to the situation would be to have your flashlight positioned in front of the window with the strobe mode activated then simply instruct your friends to look out for the house with a flashing window.

Conclusion on why do torch have strobe

We hope this article has given you a better understanding of the importance of strobe features on your flashlight.

Whether it’s for tactical reasons, signaling, or direction purposes, there will be many times when having a light with strobe functionality can prove to be invaluable and even lifesaving.

If you don’t have one yet, now is as good a time as any to invest in one!

Below we have a short list of some of our torches that support SOS or Strobe mode

1. Array 2S Hand Wave Control Headlamp 1000 Lumens

This headlamp falls somewhere in the middle in terms of price and power but is still high-quality in terms of materials used and power output. At 1000 lumens, it does a great job in any environment, as the beam distance reaches 140 meters, and it can rotate 60 degrees. The Array 2S is an all-around smart headlamp with top-notch functions. It features a flood+spot light, floodlight, red light, and SOS. Providing you with 10 different useful settings and mode memory for convenient outdoor use.

2.Perun Mini Kit 1000 Lumens

This lightweight headlamp is pretty powerful, having an output of maximum of 1000 lumens. When you need your hands free in cave, this is exactly the kind of light you should search for. In terms of design and performance, this seemingly mini torch is a very professional and suitable lighting device as a tool light. It can not only solve some common lighting needs for me in daily life but also In a caving setting, it is equally useful.

3. Perun 2 Brightest Multifunctional Head Torch

Perun 2 is an upgraded version of Perun, a brand-new multi-functional smart L-shaped corner light. It comes standard with a single customized 4000mAh high-capacity 21700 battery, with an output of up to 2500 lumens, while extending the battery life; the output light is uniform and high-quality, suitable for medium and close-range lighting.

4. Baton 3 1200 Lumens Pocket EDC Torch

The Baton 3 is the upgraded version of Olight's popular S1R Baton II. Equipped with high performance LED and TIR lens for a soft and balanced beam, this extremely compact light delivers an incredible maximum beam of 1,200 lumens and 166 meters.

5. Warrior Mini 2 Compact Tactical & EDC Torch

The Warrior Mini 2 is the brand-new upgraded version of the previous Warrior Mini, and one of the most powerful compact tactical lights on the market. It produces an astounding max output of 1,750 lumens and 220-meter beam distance despite its pocketable size.

6. S2R Baton II 1150 Lumens Compact EDC Torch

The S2R Baton II is an upgraded version of the single-section 18650 side-button rechargeable torch S2R Baton. Its length is 10cm, which is 0.5cm less than the body length of the S2R Baton, making it more portable. Features Luminus SST-40 cool white LEDs with a maximum luminous flux of 1150 lumens, upgraded TIR lens that produces a perfectly balanced beam.

7. Freyr Multi-Colour Tactical Torch

The Freyr is a dual-switch torch producing both white light and RGB lights. It is a very distinctive multi-colour torch, which is able to offer white, red, green, and blue outputs for different needs.

8. Seeker 3 Pro Powerful LED Torch 4200 Lumens

Seeker 3 Pro is a powerful and rechargeable led torch that is an upgraded version of Seeker 2 pro, brighter than Seeker 2 pro(3200 lumens）, It is small and portable, perfect for everyday carry.

9. Marauder 2 Powerful Search and Rescue Torch 14000 Lumens

Marauder 2, which has the second-highest lumens among all the Olight products, is an upgraded version of the X7R Marauder. The 14,000-lumen floodlight is as bright as the sun. The 800-meter spotlight pierces through the darkness. No matter you are an outdoor enthusiast, hunter, searcher, and rescuer, or just feel like dominating the night; This powerful torch is perfect for you.