Taser X26P VS The X26

This article in particular will be featuring the differences and functions of the X26 and X26P electronic control weapons or ECWs. Both are still currently in use by military and law enforcement. In fact a 2010 study titled “Police Use of Force, TASERs and Other Less-Lethal Weapons”, over 15,000 law enforcement and military agencies around the world used tasers as part of their use of force continuum.

The TASER

Axon currently fields 3 ECWs: the X26P, the X2 and the Taser 7. But for the purpose of this article, we will only be talking about the X26 and the X26P. The X26 was released in 2003 with quite a bit of success and is probably one of the most recognizable Tasers on the market and was taken off the US and Canadian retail and support list officially in 2014. The X26 is and was the most powerful ECW to date with a Charge of 80–135 microcoulombs, in comparison the Current X26P which is capped at a charge of 63 (+/-9) microcoulombs. This led to claims that the newer models were less powerful than the original, which in turn was followed by lawsuits stating their alleged ineffectiveness. Taser/Axon fully denies these claims and states that the newer models with their smart technology and improved performance are just as effective as their predecessors. Newer cartridges like these can feature extended probes, which help defeat thicker clothing and create a better connection for a better chance at NMI or neuro muscular incapacitation.

The X26 – The Original Taser

The X26 was the first model to support many different options including colors, power packs, cartridges, mounting options and even a camera. The X26P shares many of these options and supposedly new options in development as well. Some key differences between the X26 and X26P:

–Holster compatibility, they are not interchangeable
-The x26P offers improved weatherproofing, an important consideration for patrol use
-The x26 is generally programmed with a 5 second discharge, while as the X26P is also 5 seconds, but can continuously discharge as long as the trigger is held down or the battery is depleted
-The X26P does feature better battery life at approximately 500 cycles, vs the X26 at 200
-The x26 hold an extra cartridge facing down or out on the power pack while the X26P holds them forward facing
-This is beneficial for several reasons, it aids in safer reloading of the ECW and protects the doors of the cartridge from damage which can cause malfunctions.
-The X26P does not display a battery percentage anymore, only a battery level indicator, similar to that of a cellphone, and that indicator is rather small.

One thing worth noting is that each discharge of the Taser can be considered a separate use of force requiring justification for each incident. And prolonged or repeated use can be considered excessive force, something to keep in mind for agency and company policy writers.

Civilian Taser Models

There are several models out that are civilian legal, in fact in most places all Taser models are legal, including LE models and trade ins. That being said, the Taser Pulse is geared specifically toward the civilian market.

From Taser:

“TASER Pulse is an effective, less-lethal defense tool that can immobilize attackers for up to 30 seconds. Packing the same knock-down punch trusted by law enforcement, it was built with civilian self-protection in mind. Weighing in at just 8 ounces, this high-tech, intuitively designed device is revolutionizing the self-defense market.”

So why would the civilian model discharge for a full 30 seconds instead of 5 like the law enforcement or military model? The reason is the base purpose of the Taser itself. The models used by LE/MIL are used as a less lethal option to gain control, whereas the Pulse is designed to allow the user to escape. The owner or user of the Pulse is supposed to discharge the Taser at an assailant and once NMI has been achieved, drop the Pulse and flee the area to summon help. The 30 seconds is supposed to give the user ample time to leave the area.

Taser has also released the X1 to the civilian and LE/MIL markets which we will also do an article on in the near future.

In Conclusion

Overall I think the X26P is an improvement over the X26 in ease of use, ergonomics, safety features and capabilities. I look forward to what Taser comes out with next and how it changes our perspective and approach in law enforcement and civilian self defense. Thank you for reading, please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel or checking out any of our partners or affiliate links.

JTF Actual