One of the unsung theories of self-defense is that of "distraction." We refer not to sleight-of-hand tricks, nor the classic "Hey, look over there!" dodge, but to a form of distraction so powerful it's more like "disorientation," which leads rather easily to "disruption." That's the theory behind the new-for-2024 NEXTORCH ND30. It's not pepper spray; it's not a Taser; and it's not a flashlight. Instead, this gadget emits a blinding 11,000-lumen strobe light coupled with a piercing 130dB siren (about as loud as a 12-gauge shotgun). 
The NEXTORCH ND30 was engineered for law enforcement and the military, but it's available for regular citizens too. Its combination of earsplitting sound and eyewatering strobe light is designed to effectively disorient potential threats across a range of up to 225+ feet, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor defensive scenarios. The device offers customizable deployment options with four distinct strobe modes and multiple activation delay settings, allowing users to tailor its performance to specific tactical situations.
Loud sounds and a powerful strobe are more effective than you might think. It's not just a shock-and-awe display. Light and sound that strong is painful. Most humans, especially in low-light situations, find a strobe light very disorienting. Many people will actually lose their balance and stumble--it's called "flicker vertigo." Even those who don't experience flicker vertigo will be temporarily blinded, offering a defender the opportunity to create distance and escape.
The ND30 is compact and has a traditional pull ring and runs on a built-in, USB-C rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to 4,400 activations per charge. Crafted with hard-anodized aluminum alloy, the ND30 is safe from impacts from up to 6.5ft, so it can be thrown or rolled into action and still function reliably.
The construction is dust-tight, water-resistant and rated IPX7 for use in almost any environment. The ND30 also incorporates a smart recovery system with a positioning alert, enabling easy location after deployment. The alert will sound off and light up every 10 seconds until the pin and lever are restored to their original position. You can always find it, no matter where it ends up. MSRP $319; Nextorch.com.
