Stun Guns and Tasers are more similar than they are different. Both take a small amount of input voltage from a battery and greatly increase it to produce a high output voltage. The Stun Gun / Taser are not lethal weapons because of the low amount of current that is supplied (in the lower mA region) when activated. The same principles apply for how they affect the body and how they take down an assailant.
As a side note the stun batons are a type of stun gun. The same principles apply for them as with a stun gun. Thus, this information about the "Stun Guns vs. Tasers" also applies to stun batons as well. Some of the features may vary slightly but they basically work the same.
STUN GUNS
Stun guns work only on direct contact with the assailant. The electric probes on the stun device must be in contact with the attacker for the duration of use. The device will work through clothing and does not have to be in contact with bare skin. The stun gun can be used as many times as needed to take down an attacker or multiple attackers.
Stun guns come in a wide assortment of sizes and voltages. Some are meant to look like a regular device such as a cell phone in order to surprise the assailant. The higher the voltage the faster the stun gun will drop the bad guy to the ground. As a guideline, it takes around 3 seconds to drop an assailant with a 500,000 volt stun device and less time as you go higher in voltage.
Currently our product selection ranges from 200,000 volts to 3,000,000 volts (3 Mil). Once you purchase a stun gun there is nothing else to buy later (except for batteries where needed). Some stun devices are rechargeable and some use replacement batteries. The average cost of a stun device is approximaely $55-$75.
TASERS
Tasers shoot out two electrical barbs, which are attacked to wires, which have to hit the target in order to work. The barbs are still connected to the unit by wires that conduct electrical current which are trasferred into the assailant's body when the trigger is depressed. Each taser cartridge is non-reusable and only has 1 shot per cartridge. The consumer taser cartridge can shoot an assailant up to approximately 15 ft away. If for some reason your barbs miss the target you can remove the cartidge and use your taser as a stun gun (giving an added protection). The stun gun portion of the taser may not seem like a lot of voltage (50,000 volts) but its current has been increased to give a higher output power than a normal 50k volt stun gun.
The cost for a taser is definitely an investment. The average price that you can pick on up for is about $350. The non-reusable replacement cartridges usually go for about $30-$45 depending upon the model.
NOTE: This means that any practice fire or use of the taser device will cost you one of your non-reusable cartridges. If you do own one, it still may be worth the cost of one of the cartridges to test fire it. You should know and understand what its capabilities are and how exactly it works.
IN COMPARISON
Stun guns and tasers both have many obvious benenfits and are very effective. The comparison boils down to two main points:
(1) One shoots, and the other does not
(2) Difference in cost
Which is best, a Taser or a Stun Gun? This is a question that is best answered by asking yourself, "What are My Needs?". Choosing between the two would certainly be a personal preference and a financial consideration.
Points-to-Ponder when deciding what best fits your needs (see below).
TASERS:
PROS
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CONS |
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- Significantly higher voltage
- Use multiple times
- Use on multiple attackers (efficiently)
- Low in cost
- Does not need cartridges
- No shooting / aiming needed
- Easily use when attacked from behind
- Easy to conceal (surprise attack)
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- No distance stunning
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STUN GUNS:
PROS
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CONS |
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- Can use at a distance (15 ft)
- Better against attacker with a weapon
- Added protection of stun ability
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- Takes extra time to use stun ability
- Significantly higher costs
- Needs non-reusable cartridges
- Expensive to test fire
- Need to reload for multiple victims
- Lower voltage stun
- Usually bigger and harder to conceal
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RELATED LINKS:
◊ Understanding Stun Devices ( Members Area )
◊ Using A Stun Device ( Members Area )
◊ What is a Stun Device?
◊ Be Aware of your surroundings ( Members Area )
