Best OC

MightyMouse · August 8, 2001, 06:40 PM

I'm new to this forum and would like to ask a question...who makes the best OC and why. Also, what is the best delivery pattern; spray/stream/foam/other? Why? I'm working as a security officer and am able to carry this tool, but I want the best for when I can't run away

Thanks!

swsurgeon · August 8, 2001, 07:46 PM

One of the best is www.guardalaska.com. I've also heard good things about Fox.

Welcome aboard!

KPS · August 8, 2001, 10:27 PM

Welcome.www.foxlabs.com makes the strongest OC.The OC's effectiveness is rated in SHU's.Most populat OC brands are 2,000,000 SHU's or less and Fox's is 5.3 million.Many people are misinformed and think the higher % of capscium the stronger the spray.Fox sprays are used by many LEOs.As far as spray/stream/foam....I prefer a spray but I think it is just a personal preference.

David Park · August 9, 2001, 05:40 AM

I carry the small Fox keychain unit everywhere, and have a 2oz. fogger spray by my apartment door. KPS is right, the SHU value determines the effectiveness, and the % is more related to how long the effects last. The fog type is generally considered the most effective, but it can also be blown back in your face by wind. I keep a few of the decontamination wipes handy just in case.

You can order Fox here:
http://www.selfdefenseproducts.com/pepper.htm

swsurgeon · August 9, 2001, 05:02 PM

Check the www.guardalaska.com site for an interesting discussion of heat ratings, etc.

David Park · August 9, 2001, 10:22 PM

More information on heat ratings is here:
http://www.selfdefenseproducts.com/pepperinfo.htm

SHU ratings are no longer determined by taste, but by liquid chromatography. I have no doubt that the Guard Alaska spray is some nasty stuff, though.

Coronach · August 9, 2001, 10:53 PM

I've been sprayed by Freeze and by Fox.

Fox is worse. True liquid pain.

Mike

Josh · August 11, 2001, 03:44 PM

What is the big difference between the fog and the stream other then the distance they spray?

Which is better for all around use?

I sent away for the Fox brand in what I thought was the stream, only to find out later that it is the fog.

It seems that the 2 oz model has different color of buttons for stream and fog.

David Park · August 12, 2001, 02:04 AM

(I'm no expert but...)
OC works best if it is atomized (i.e. fog). In this form it is easily inhaled and absorbed by the mucous membranes. With streams, the OC can be trapped in the carrier liquid and not work as quickly. This may not be a problem with the Guard Alaska spray, I don't know. For other sprays, you should always shake well before use to make sure the OC is well-mixed with the carrier.

The disadvantage to fog spray is that it can be blown around by the wind, and as you said it may have less range. I have a fog unit by my apartment door, since wind or range probably won't be an issue. My keychain unit is a stream, because that is all Fox offers. You should always briefly test your spray outside, both to make sure it works and to see the fog/stream pattern.

In the big scheme of things, I don't think the type of spray matters that much. OC is not guaranteed to stop a determined attacker, and the effectiveness varies. I don't count on it stopping someone immediately, so my plan is to "spray and run" if I ever have to use it.

August 8, 2001, 06:40 PM	#1
MightyMouse Junior Member Join Date: August 6, 2001 Location: In front of my computer... Posts: 2	Best OC I'm new to this forum and would like to ask a question...who makes the best OC and why. Also, what is the best delivery pattern; spray/stream/foam/other? Why? I'm working as a security officer and am able to carry this tool, but I want the best for when I can't run away Thanks!

August 9, 2001, 05:40 AM	#4
David Park Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2001 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,224	I carry the small Fox keychain unit everywhere, and have a 2oz. fogger spray by my apartment door. KPS is right, the SHU value determines the effectiveness, and the % is more related to how long the effects last. The fog type is generally considered the most effective, but it can also be blown back in your face by wind. I keep a few of the decontamination wipes handy just in case. You can order Fox here: http://www.selfdefenseproducts.com/pepper.htm __________________ Libertarian for Bush '04

August 9, 2001, 10:53 PM	#7
Coronach Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Posts: 3,147	I've been sprayed by Freeze and by Fox. Fox is worse. True liquid pain. Mike __________________ The axe bites into the door, ripping a hole in one panel. The maniac puts his face into the hole, cackling gleefully, "Here's Johnny...erk." "And here's Smith and Wesson," murmurs Coronach, Mozambiquing six rounds of .357 into the critter at a range of three feet. -Lawdog "True pacifism is the finest form of manliness. But if a man comes up to you and cuts your hand off, you don't just offer him the other one. Not if you want to go on playing the piano, you don't." -Sam Peckinpah "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

August 8, 2001, 07:46 PM	#2
swsurgeon Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2001 Location: Smith Valley, Nevada Posts: 179	One of the best is www.guardalaska.com. I've also heard good things about Fox. Welcome aboard!

August 8, 2001, 10:27 PM	#3
KPS Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2001 Location: MA Posts: 780	Welcome.www.foxlabs.com makes the strongest OC.The OC's effectiveness is rated in SHU's.Most populat OC brands are 2,000,000 SHU's or less and Fox's is 5.3 million.Many people are misinformed and think the higher % of capscium the stronger the spray.Fox sprays are used by many LEOs.As far as spray/stream/foam....I prefer a spray but I think it is just a personal preference.

August 9, 2001, 05:02 PM	#5
swsurgeon Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2001 Location: Smith Valley, Nevada Posts: 179	Check the www.guardalaska.com site for an interesting discussion of heat ratings, etc.

August 9, 2001, 10:22 PM	#6
David Park Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2001 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,224	More information on heat ratings is here: http://www.selfdefenseproducts.com/pepperinfo.htm SHU ratings are no longer determined by taste, but by liquid chromatography. I have no doubt that the Guard Alaska spray is some nasty stuff, though.

August 11, 2001, 03:44 PM	#8
Josh Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Posts: 77	What is the big difference between the fog and the stream other then the distance they spray? Which is better for all around use? I sent away for the Fox brand in what I thought was the stream, only to find out later that it is the fog. It seems that the 2 oz model has different color of buttons for stream and fog.

August 12, 2001, 02:04 AM	#9
David Park Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2001 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,224	(I'm no expert but...) OC works best if it is atomized (i.e. fog). In this form it is easily inhaled and absorbed by the mucous membranes. With streams, the OC can be trapped in the carrier liquid and not work as quickly. This may not be a problem with the Guard Alaska spray, I don't know. For other sprays, you should always shake well before use to make sure the OC is well-mixed with the carrier. The disadvantage to fog spray is that it can be blown around by the wind, and as you said it may have less range. I have a fog unit by my apartment door, since wind or range probably won't be an issue. My keychain unit is a stream, because that is all Fox offers. You should always briefly test your spray outside, both to make sure it works and to see the fog/stream pattern. In the big scheme of things, I don't think the type of spray matters that much. OC is not guaranteed to stop a determined attacker, and the effectiveness varies. I don't count on it stopping someone immediately, so my plan is to "spray and run" if I ever have to use it.