Just when you think you have seen it all… you haven’t. They are making some cool gadgets and tools for police these days, but the NEXTORCH ND30 just about tops the list. It’s an electronic flashbang, also known as a distraction device.
Most tactical teams within law enforcement uses distraction tools of some sort. How often and under what circumstances will vary from one agency to another.
Under the wrong conditions, flashbangs can be dangerous to use. But the problem police face is we don’t always know the conditions inside of a home. During the planning stages of an operation, police take all available information into account when determining the type of response to use.
(The NEXTORCH ND30 is re-usable. Just put the handle and pin back on the ND30 and it’s ready to go again)
In many circumstances, the available information will cause police to decide not to use certain distraction devices. And by “distraction device” I’m talking about flashbangs. The presence of children in the home, flammable materials, and other things make flashbangs too risky.
It’s not a replacement for flashbangs, but a great addition to them. It’s safe, effective, and for those administrators out there, affordable.
What is the ND30 Distraction Device?
The NEXTORCH ND30 is a specialized re-useable distraction device that emits an intense light and loud sound bursts to disorient individuals. It looks like a flashbang and deploys the same way, but without the “bang.”
Instead, it uses strobing LED technology and a powerful sound to create confusion. This provides police officers with a tactical advantage during entry.
The ND30 emits an incredibly bright light from 18 separate lights rated at 11,000 lumens. This can overwhelm a person’s vision even in well-lit environments.
Think of the last time someone shined a bright light on your face and what your response was. Most people instinctively close their eyes and look away. This is exactly what you want someone to do during an entry.
When it comes to the sound emitted from the ND30, it is equally effective. It emits a sound blast of 130 decibels, which is pretty loud. Again, what do most people do when they hear a loud, unexpected sound?
The combination of light and sound both cause a person to instinctively close their eyes and look away or lower their head. Because the sound and light are not expected, it also causes momentary confusion.
Durability is another strong point of the ND30. It was constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum with reinforced protective casings. It’s designed to endure rough handling, drops, and exposure to harsh conditions. It’s also water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about getting it wet during incidents.
Setting Up the “Digital Flashbang”
The ND30 is easy to operate and includes programmable modes so it can be adjusted to fit your needs. This is one of my favorite things about the ND30.
There are two flush dials on the side of the for programing. The top one marked “Mode” will determine what the ND30 does once it activates. Here are the available modes to choose from:
Mode 1: Cycles strobe and sound 1 time
Mode 2: Cycles strobe and sound 2 times
Mode 3: Cycles strobe and sound 9 times
Mode 4: Continuous strobe and sound for 12 seconds.
The second dial sets the activation time after the pin has been pulled. It has 0.5, 1.5, and 3 seconds to choose from.
The ND30 has adjustable mode and delay settings so you can customize how it operatesBecause the ND30 is re-chargeable, it can be used anywhere from 65 – 4,400 times, depending on the setting. A USB Type C charging cable is provided in the box.
A small button next to the charging port allows the ND30 to put in “locked” mode when you’re not using it. Just press the button and watch for the light to flash red. Hold again for a couple of seconds and the light will flash green, indicating it’s ready to use.
Using the ND30 electronic flashbang
Using the ND30 is about the same as using a flashbang. In shape and size, it is a replica of the 7290 classic flashbang. This is important because it will fit in the same carriers and storage containers that your flashbangs do.
To use it, simply pull the pin and throw it where it is needed. A spring-loaded handle will fly off the end when you throw the distraction device, but don’t worry, it’s reusable.
(Using the ND30 is no different than using a flashbang, just pull the pin and throw)
Once the ND30 has been activated and completed its cycle, you can reset the device by replacing the handle and inserting the pin. If you wish to stop the ND30 in the middle of a cycle, press the lockout button for a couple of seconds and the unit will turn off.
Because the ND30 has 360-degree LED lights, its effectiveness will not change regardless of how it lands after being thrown.
Testing the NEXTORCH ND30
After using the ND30 for a while, I wanted to test its durability to make sure it can withstand harsh environments. For this, I put it through the same tests I use when testing a flashlight or optic.
My first step was to put it in the freezer and leave it overnight. It was frosted over, but it worked. And just a quick note, when testing one of these, don’t stare directly at it, it’s a little bright!
The second step was to place it in the oven at 150 degrees and leave it for one hour. If a product is left in a car, you want to make sure the heat will not damage it. While it was a little toasty, it continued to function.
(Frame by frame of a slow-motion video of the ND30 in a room with the lights on. You can see the brightness of the device)
Normally my third test is to drop it from shoulder height onto a wood or concrete floor. But the ND30 is supposed to be thrown every time you use it right? So, one or two drops were not enough to satisfy me this time.
Because I wanted to use it as much as possible, I set the ND30 to Mode 2 and used it continuously in multiple rooms. Sometimes it bounced off the wall, other times it hit a piece of furniture before hitting the floor. I even tossed it in a bathroom with a tile floor several times.
After each test, not only was it still functioning like it should, but it also didn’t have any scratches on it. NEXTORCH used a hard anodized finish on the ND30 so I can confirm it’s a durable finish.
Training with the ND30
Another great use I found for the ND30 was training. My agency had training flashbangs, but they were not the best for training. The ones we used the most were dummy units used for practicing throwing. We had some training flashbangs that used a special shotgun shell primer, to you could throw them and hear a “bang.” But even these got expensive when you started using them a lot.
With the ND30, you can train as much as you want, and it doesn’t cost anything. If you are going to carry the ND30 on an entry team, it’s good to train with it. But the ND30 could also substitute for your training with flashbangs as well.
Does your agency need one?
Police are faced with a daunting task of dealing with dangerous situations while providing protection to everyone involved at the same time.
When a situation requires a dynamic entry, we often resort to flash-bangs or other devices to protect the officers while they enter. For those situations when a flashbang cannot be used however, the NEXTORCH ND30 is probably the best device I’ve seen so far.
It’s easy to use, affordable, reusable, and more importantly, safe.
FROM NEXTORCH: Want to see the NEXTORCH ND30 in action? Law enforcement agencies can apply for our Test & Evaluation program by visiting our T&E Application Page. Individual officers and tactical enthusiasts can purchase the ND30 directly from the site.
