The Pulse 2 takes me back many moons ago to my time in law enforcement. I’m very familiar with Axon (also known as TASER) and their family of products.
This review will be of their Pulse 2; it has a very similar form factor to the TASER device I carried while I was a Deputy Sheriff.
So if you want the quick and simple summary, I've provided it at the top of the review. If you’re like me and know the ADD won’t let you finish the article anyway, read below.
Quick Take
The Pulse 2 uses the same technology as law enforcement TASER devices; it is designed for a more civilian role and thus looks slightly different but functions almost identically.
It is not ‘nerfed’ or less powerful in any way and is a very good self-defense tool. It’s important, like any self-defense, to train with it and become comfortable.
Who this is for
The Pulse 2 is for anyone who wants a self-defense option that isn’t a firearm but still gives them the ability to neutralize a threat.
These are also great for anyone who is uncomfortable with firearms and does not want to take the time and effort to go through getting comfortable with a firearm (keep in mind you should still become familiar and comfortable with a Pulse 2, should you decide to buy and carry one).
It also fills a gap for people who may feel uncomfortable with taking a life, even in the event of self-defense. These tools give people options to defend themselves without having to live with the guilt or other emotional baggage that comes with deadly force.
These are great for women who carry purses, or anyone with a fanny pack or other on-body bag that can hold this compact device.
The Pulse 2 will give anyone carrying it the confidence knowing that they have a chance to take down someone who could possibly physically overpower them.
If you're still deciding between different less-lethal options, check out our best less-lethal self-defense weapons guide for a full comparison.
Who should skip it
The Pulse 2 is not a toy; if you think it’s something you can get to just become overzealous with and tase people without consequences, then this isn’t the tool for you.
Also, it’s no match for deadly weapon threats. The classic adage of don’t bring a TASER device to a gun fight holds true here (this is a joke, don’t go looking for a fight).
What It Is and What It Isn’t
Before committing to a purchase, it’s important to know what it is and what it isn’t, so you have realistic expectations for the product and its use.
TASER vs. “Stun Gun”
Often, people use the terms TASER and “stun gun” interchangeably, but there is a pretty clear difference between the two tools, and it’s important you know the difference because if you don’t, you might not end up with the results you want.
TASER devices are a tool typically with barbs that deploy and deliver enough electricity to deliver lock-up of a person (more on this in the section below) whereas a stun gun delivers are sharp shock to the person in hopes they stop or change their actions.
The best comparison I can come up with is imagine a TASER device as wrapping someone in plastic wrap where they cannot move or control any bodily functions vs a stun gun is the quality of touching or grabbing an electric fence wire or putting a 9 volt battery on your tongue.
What “lock-up” / neuromuscular incapacitation means in plain English
Everyone has seen the videos on YouTube of people “beating” or “fighting through” a TASER deployment.
This is important because it’s science. No one, and I mean NO ONE, can fight through neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI). Simply put, NMI is the involuntary incapacitation of being unable to use your muscles. The best way I can explain it is like having a foot cramp, but over your entire body.
“But.. I saw the video!” I know and your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. It looks like they are fighting through it, but they aren’t the barbs just didn’t make a good enough connection to achieve full NMI.
So when it comes to using a TASER device, the goal is full NMI, which is basically just saying having a proper connection to the threat. Will discuss this more later in the review.
Key Specifications
Range, cycle time, and what “effective range” actually looks like
The big thing with TASER devices is range. Since the barbs are tied to fancy electrical fishing line, you have a limited range of about 15 feet.
Cycle time is the time the TASER device runs after it has been deployed. In the case of the Pulse 2, that is a 30-second burst, while that doesn’t sound like a long time, it is plenty of time for an attacker or baddie to re-evaluate their life choices.
Aiming Aids (laser/lights) and Practical Accuracy
The Pulse 2 has an aiming laser and a small light on its front. The laser gives you a good idea of where your probs will hit and will help you maximize your chance of getting NMI.
The TASER device I carried in law enforcement was their X2 model, which had two cartridges and one of the nice features about it was the two laser aiming dots, which allowed you to better estimate the spread of the barbs. The Pulse 2 only has one dot and from my experience, it serves as the placement of the top probe.
My one major criticism is the “flashlight,” and while I won’t knock off too much because you should not use your TASER device as a flashlight, the flashlight is clearly made for supplemental light but you’ll still need a flashlight if you want to get meaningful flood and spill from a light.
Power Source
My only real concern so far is the Pulse 2's battery life. I used to arc test my TASER device before every shift, but that’s really overkill and an unnecessary step for someone carrying the Pulse 2, and I must add of all the times I did this ARC test, not once did it ever fail to work.
The only thing it helped me do was determine battery strength and the Pulse 2 has a simple three-color LED display to output the battery life. Green = good, yellow = 85%-30% charge,, Red = change battery. Pretty straightforward.
Carry Method and Draw-to-Deploy Speed
Carrying the Pulse 2 is probably the most important thing, because if you cannot reach the TASER device to deploy it, it doesn’t do you much good.
Axon offers a few options in terms of holsters but I think the best is yet to come.
I have spoken with a firearms holster manufacturer, and they are working on concealed carry holsters for the Pulse 2, and I’m excited to see those released.
But in the meantime, you can get belt holsters that are soft or kydex from TASER Self-Defense and if you are purse carrying, there is an included neoprene cover, even though I’m not the biggest fan of that.
Function & Ergonomics
One thing about the Pulse 2 is it takes a similar form factor and control of a semi-automatic pistol, which makes the feeling very familiar.
Even if you aren’t someone who is into firearms, you have surely held a toy gun or NERF gun, which will give you a similar ergonomic feeling.
Grip, Controls, Safety/Arming, and Stress Usability
On the Pulse 2, the grip ergonomics are very similar to those of a firearm but it does have a noticeable difference in angle.
There is a single "safety" switch that is how you arm the device and make it ready to deploy.
The trigger works well small take-up and then a pop.
There is no recoil when deploying a TASER device.
There is a loud pop with the barb deployment, but no felt recoil. This is good because it’s not distracting from what you are trying to accomplish, which is neutralizing a threat actor.
Reloading/cartridge swaps aren’t something you can do on the fly, the cartridge has to be taken out, which can be kinda difficult because you need to squeeze the two sides and pull.
This can be hard to do under pressure when your fine motor skills might not be at 100%.
Plus, when reloading the cartridge, it is recommended to push it down on a flat surface to get the cartridge to seat correctly and one might not be available at that time.
Performance Reality Check
So do TASER devices work? Yes, but probe placement is key when deploying a TASER device and it’s arguably the most important thing about deploying a TASER device.
As a general rule, the farther the spread of the TASER barbs, the greater the change you will achieve in NMI and in disabling the threat. Here is a video of a deployment and a pretty decent spread to achieve NMI.
You do need to keep in mind clothing layers, misses, or partial connections. Ensuring a good connection is the most important thing you can do with a TASER.
Keep in mind that misses without another chance to deploy more barbs could lead to escalation.
But there is a secret you can “connect the loop”, which means if you get a connection of a good barb if the threat gets close enough, you can place the face of the TASER on the threat and if the loop is completed, you can neutralize the threat with NMI.
This is also called ‘drive-stunning’ and can be done with no cartridge in the TASER device. Pulling the trigger, you can see visible archs of electricity and placing these against a threat will cause them extreme discomfort.
Drive-stunning is how the StrikeLight 2 works exclusively; it does not have barbs and thus is simply a “stun-gun”.
Safety, Medical Questions, and Misconceptions
Be careful!
The TASER is a very effective tool and while it is “less-lethal,” it is not “non-lethal”. That is a very important distinction.
Often, you hear people talk about pacemakers and other heart conditions in connection with conducted energy weapons. While pacemakers are designed with safeguards, any use of force can carry medical risk. That’s why this device or a similar one should only be deployed to stop an imminent threat and in compliance with applicable laws.
This is not a toy to test on your friends, so be smart.
It’s also important to note that deploying a TASER device in sensitive areas, such as the eyes and groin, is discouraged. In our litigious world, it’s best to try to do everything you can to protect yourself physically and legally.
Legality & Responsible Use (Not Legal Advice)
TASER Self-Defense maintains a database of state law and regulations for their devices. You can check their website (https://taser.com/pages/state-requirements) to see if TASER devices are legal in your state. It’s always important to know local and state laws regarding self-defense and your self-defense tools.
Be familiar with a logical use-of-force continuum. This is a practice law enforcement uses (or is supposed to) to determine your level of response and should go something like: avoidance, escape, calling 911, and active resistance (TASER/combatives).
Keep in mind, while you might be totally justified in your TASER device deployment, “stand your ground” conversations get messy fast, so your best but is always avoidance, but that’s not always possible.
Be sure you can articulate your reasons for deploying a conducted energy weapon and your actions before and after its use.
Keep in mind, TASER Self-Defense has a wicked good policy that will replace your TASER device in the event you use it in self-defense:
“When a StrikeLight Series, Bolt Series, or Pulse Series device is used in self-defense, the weapons may be deployed and left behind, providing the user with a window of opportunity to get to safety and contact law enforcement. Axon will replace the approved device free of charge, with the same or like product, at Axon’s discretion, within one year following the event.” (Terms & Conditions Apply: See more at https://taser.com/pages/safe-escape-product-replacement-guarantee)
Ownership Costs & Logistics
The nice thing about a TASER is the ownership costs are pretty low, the initial purchase price is below most sub-compact handguns and the cartrdiges which you shouldn’t need to replace unless used at about $60ish.
I do recommend, if you purchase a Pulse 2, using at least one of the two included cartridges as a test, so you have experience deploying it. This is critical for both physical and legal protection.
Alternatives & Decision Guide
We've done a full breakdown of all the top options in our best less-lethal self-defense weapons guide, but here's the short version.
When OC spray is the better pick
Generally, I’m going to pick a TASER product over OC Spray because TASER devices can deliver real NMI, not just an irritant.
Irritation doesn’t work well on subjects that are on the mind and sensory-altering substances, whereas a TASER still achieves NMI even on those individuals.
When a firearm is the better pick (and when it isn’t an option)
A TASER is not a good option if your threat is presenting deadly force. If it is your only option, use it but keep in mind the distance of the TASER probes and your plan for after application.
But generally speaking, deadly force should be met with deadly force in self-defense situations.
Bottom Line
This is a great option if you are looking for an effective, less-lethal alternative. The Pulse 2 is a great option. Take into consideration that the Pulse 2 in the dark of night could appear to be a firearm, which is good at deterring bad guys, but law enforcement and other good guys might confuse it.
If you want protection and have an aversion to firearms and/or don't want to take the time to get familiar with firearms, this is a faster way to self-defense as the training is faster and the laws are less restrictive in most states.
