Surefire C2 Centurion Xenon Incandescant Torch In Depth
Surefire CombatGrip
A grip that allows a user to hold a flashlight while holding a handgun is an important feature in military and law enforcement applications. Surefire's CombatGrip, a stepped down body with a rubber grip ring, lets the user hold the flashlight with one hand, like a syringe, while maintaining two-handed control over a firearm. It is also perfect for hanging onto in just about any conditions, even while wearing gloves.
The Z2 CombatLight is so well suited to being paired with a handgun that its standard issue for the FBI, US Air Marshals and many police departments worldwide. The C2 and C3 Centurion add a pocket clip and a finishing choice of either Type II back or Type III hard anodizing in olive drab. Like the Z2, the C2 emits 65 lumens in a tactical level beam for 60 minutes on a single set of batteries, or a 120-lumen beam for 20 minutes with the optional ultra high output lamp assembly. With a 3rd battery for more power, the slightly longer C3 Centurion produces 105 lumens of light, this can be increased to 200 lumens with the optinal high output lamp assembly.
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 C2 Centurion - 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.
Hard Anodized - Aluminium Hard Coating Process
Hard Anodizing refers to a process used for coating aluminium with an incredibly hard surface of oxide.
The process of hard anodizing works by inserting aluminium into a chemical bath and passing an electric current through it. As the current passes through the piece of aluminium, a layer of aluminium oxide 'grows' on the surface of the metal.
Hard anodized finishes come in different degrees of hardness knows as Type I, Type II, Type III etc. The hardest material normally available is that which has been anodized in accordance with the military specification Mil-A-8625, Type III, Class 2.
