When it was introduced in 1986, the Surefire 6P revolutionized flashlight technology with high-energy lithium batteries, compact size, and several times more light output than the D-cell dinasours it supplanted. Today, the 6P and its Nitrolon brother, the G2, remain Surefire best-sellers. But we like to think a good thing can always get better, which is why we've introduced two new models to the family: the G3 nitrolon and the 6P Defender
What goes into a Surefire Xenon Torch
Although they may be old school technology, incandescant lamps are capable of generating high output beams that, when teamed with the right reflector and bezel, can reach far into the night. And of all the incandescant torches on the market, Surefire xenon incandescants are by far the best.
An incandescant lamp works by running electric current through a tungsten filament until it heats up enough to emit light. Off-the-shelf, run-of-the-mill filaments wont do for Surefire, they use custom designed, custom wound filaments in their lamps, In addition, to maximize the lamps output and operating life, while minimizing tungsten boil off (a process that can form a layer of light blocking tungsten on the inside wall of the bulb, Surefire bulbs are filled with expensive high pressure xenon gas and, in some models, a halogen addative.
Surefire's high performance xenon lamps are precision placed within perfectly shaped aluminium reflectors coated with light smoothing micro-texture. The result is a beam with no obvious hot spots, dark rings or imperfections. A protective window made from tempered Pyrex glass coated with a layer of anti-reflective materieal to minimize light loss covers the reflector and bulb assembly. Wrap it all up in a tough, aerospace grade aluminium or polymer body. Seal the body with O-rings. Power it with compact lithium batteries that carry a 10 year shelf life. Now you've got a world class illumination tool that performs at the highest level in virtually any conditions.
Surefire 6P Original - Related Glossary Entries
Lumens - Unit of Measurement
The Lumen is a measure of the light output of a device. Specifically it measures the total ouput of light from a given bulb or lamp without taking into account any reflector or lense (as opposed to Peak Beam Candle Power, which does take into account the effect of reflectors and lenses).
Because Lumens do not measure the effect of reflectors and lenses, whereas Peak Beam Candle Power does, there is no way to convert betwen the two different types of measurement.
Incandescent - Type of Bulb
Incandescent refers to a type of lightbulb. A typical incadescent lightbulb consists of a screw or bayenet type fitting and a filiment encased in a glass enclosure.
The process of Incadescence works by passing an electric current through a thin filament causing it to emit light and heat. This process will not work in the presence of oxygen, so the filimant is encased within a glass enclosure. Inside the glass enclosure is either a vaccuum or a noble gas (a non-reactive gas).
Incadescent lightbulbs are often found in the home, however, they are gradually being replaced by other types of bulbs. Incadescent light bulbs can be manufactured to emit much more light than LED's, however, they use more power than LEDs.
