Product Review -The SM-CELL Cell Phone Stun Gun

Introduction

One of the most popular stun gun models is the Stun Master SM-CELL cell phone stun gun. This 800,000 volt self defense product contains the stun effect, a bright LED flashlight and a 120db alarm. The unit resembles a cellphone, not the latest ultra slim flip phone but still a convincing simulation of a small cellphone. It measures 4 inches tall, 1 7/8 inches in width at the waist and 1 1/8 inches thick. It is, of course, a self defense product and does not operate as a cell phone.

Up Close

The case is silver and the buttons are black. The simulated display is large with a group of icons typical of a cell phone. The black panel above the display reads "Stun Master." The product comes with two CR123A lithium batteries and a nylon holster with belt loop. A black wrist strap is a safety device. Wrap it around your wrist and if your attacker grabs the SM-CELL from you, the strap will detach and the unit will be left completely inoperable. The unit has a limited lifetime warranty.

Operation

The SM-CELL sports four functional buttons above the non-functioning dial buttons. You push the "power" button to turn the unit on. Two red LED lights come on. The "electroshock" button discharges the unit with a spark arcing across the two electrodes. The "alarm" button activates a loud high pitched alarm as long as the button is pressed. The "flashlight" button activates a very bright "white light" three LED flashlight. Pressing the "power" button again turns the unit off.

The SM-CELL is certainly full featured. It is the only unit to this reviewer's knowledge that includes both an alarm and a bright LED flashlight. As a bonus, the $59.95 retail price includes two CR123A batteries free. Go to Wal-Mart and these two batteries will cost you about $10.00.

All stun guns operate in the same way. The electrical charge is high in voltage but low in amperage. The high voltage enables the charge to be effective through clothing but the low amperage keeps the unit non-lethal. The units effectiveness varies with the length of application. A 1/2 second will cause some pain and muscular contraction, one to two seconds will cause muscle spasms and a dazed mental state. Three to five seconds will cause loss of balance and a confusion. You will not suffer a charge-back to your own body, so you can feel safe even if your assailant is touching you.

The best strike areas on the body are the upper shoulders, lower rib cage and upper hip. A stun gun requires direct body contact to be effective. Pepper spray can be applied from a distance of perhaps 5-8 feet. Consumer Taser darts can be propelled from a distance of up to 15 feet. Unlike pepper spray, stun guns are unaffected by wind. Furthermore, there are reports of an approaching attacker running away when confronted with the arcing snap of a stun gun's electrodes.

Summary

Stun guns are effective self defense products and safe when used in a common sense moderate fashion. The SM-CELL is one of the best cell phone stun gun models available with a three-in-one multi-function operation: stun gun, alarm and flashlight. It is an outstanding value in a compact stun gun.