The bezel of a torch is the grooved ring that holds in place the lens / glass of the device. If you stand a Surefire torch on a table with the
bulb end nearest the table, the bezel is the ring of metal or nitrolon touching the table.
A crenelated strike bezel is a safety / self defence feature and can be used as a last ditch weapon in a military combat situation.
Standard Bezel Tpye
Crenelated Strike Bezel Type
M6 Guardian model used in examples shown above. The size/dimensions of the 'battlements' varies from model to model.
Candle Power
Candle Power, or Peak Beam Candle Power, is a measure of the light output of a device. Specifically it measures the brightest point within a focused beam from a given bulb or lamp.
Because Candle Power measures the brightest spot within a focused beam, it takes into account the reflector and lens of device as well as the bulb/lamp itself.
Because Candle Power measures the effect of reflectors and lenses, whereas Lumens do not, there is no way to convert betwen the two different types of measurement.
Combat Grip
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.
Dual Output
A torch with Dual Output is a device that has two seperate bulbs that are operated independantly. For example, the A2 Aviator has an LED bulb that emits 3 lumens and an incandescant bulb for the main beam that emits 50 lumens.
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.
Incandescant Light Bulb
Incandescant refers to a type of lightbulb. A typical incadescant lightbulb consists of a screw or bayonet type fitting and a filiment encased in a glass enclosure.
The process of Incandescance 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).
Incandescant lightbulbs are often found in the home, however, they are gradually being replaced by other types of bulbs.
Incandescant light bulbs can be manufactured to emit much more light than LED's, however, they use more power than LEDs.
LED / Light Emitting Diode
An LED is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electrical current passes through it. LED's are common in many electrical devices, from high-output bright-white examples in torches to low-ouput coloured LEDs used as TV standby lights.
The color of an LED varies depending on the wavelenght of the light emitted. This wavelength varies depending on the materials used to create the semiconductor.
LEDs use much less power than Incandescant light bulbs, however they are not able to reach the same level of brightness.
Lumen
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 lens (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.
Nitrolon
Nitrolon is a special material used to make the body of some Surefire torches, notably the G series incandescants. Nitrolon is a proprietary high-strength, non-conductive polymer. It's made from a mixture of nylon and fine glass fibres, which add rigidity, strength, abrasion resistance and increased stability at higher operating temperatures.
Shock Isolation
The lamp assemblies in all Special Ops flashlights are shock isolated for additional protection. Shock isolation uses dampers and springs, much like an automobiles suspension system, to help prevent external forces from damaging lamp parts, particularly the tungsten filament. For added protection, a machined-in barrier prevents the flashlights batteries from slamming into the lamp assembly if dropped, hit by another object, or in situations of repeated recoil.
This feature is aimed at Military and Armed Police users where a torch mounted to a firearm has to cope with the repeated recoil from the firearm.
Variable Output
A torch with Variable Output is a device that has a single bulb but the abitilty to emit varying amounts of light from that single bulb. For example, the U2 Digital Ultra has 6 brightness setting, chosen by twisting the collar. The vary in brightness from 2 lumens at its lowest setting to a dazzling 100 lumens at its highest.
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