What does all the flashlight "jargon" mean?

[lovenhim]

Good morning everyone. As you know I have been asking questions about an EDC flashlight for myself and my dad. I am a person that likes to try and have my ducks in a row rather than just buying XYZ because of my limited income. I also can not just go out to a cop supply store and see these lights in person because I can not drive, so I research instead.

What does all the flashlight jargin mean? I understand lumens being brightness, the larger the number on paper, the brighter the light. However, what is an emitter, driver, Q3 vs Q5 vs P4, optic vs reflector, etc. What is tactical flashlight mean? Thanks for the help.

 

[^Gurthang]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

Emitter: the LED equivalent of an incandescent bulb.

Q5, R4, P4: various emitter make/models. Cree [a manufacturer] is the most commonly used emitter. You will also see SSC and Luminous Technologies emitters. Just keep reading 'cos it really is confusing at first....

Driver: a small circuit designed to supply a near constant current to the emitter. Some drivers are "boost", that means they raise the battery voltage up to that required by the emitter, generally around 3.5V. A "buck" driver lowers the voltage, this driver is used w/ series batteries. Again, keep reading and researching, you'll learn as you go.

Tactical: Originally it meant a light specifically designed for police / military work. Generally a forward clicky switch [partially depress the switch and the light will come on, like a MAG]. SureFire is the most recognized tactical light. Today tactical generally defines a rugged dependable light built for use w/ a weapon. Beyond that the definition begins to get rather fuzzy.

Glad to have you aboard, enjoy and keep reading!

 

[kyamei]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

This is as I understand it, but I'll try a few...

lumens = total amount of light emitted
lux = intensity of light at a given point
emitter = the "bulb"
driver = circuitry used to regulate the voltage/current being sent to the emitter
P4/Q3/Q4/Q5/R2/... = flux bins. The higher the flux bin, the more efficient the LED, as in more lumens for the same amount of energy (R>Q>P).
Cree/Seoul/... = brands of LEDs
XR-E/XP-E/XP-G/... = "model" of LEDs (from Cree)

Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong on any of those, but that's how I understand it.

 

[DM51]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

Start with this: The Welcome Mat - a FAQ

 

[shark_za]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

Yip, as suggested by DM51 plus here. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Jargon

 

[somber]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

Yip, as suggested by DM51 plus here. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Jargon

Beat me to it.

Tactical is just a nice selling word.

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

From my experience, tactical usually means a clicky which has momentary and/or turns the light on immediately, without having to cycle through modes.

 

[Jash]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

Tactical is just a nice selling word.

Except here in Brizzy because there is an outdoor adventure shop that sells a brand "Tactical" whose products are overpriced and out of date.

They are only just beginning to sell regulated cree lights that retail for between AU$70-120 and they only take C or D alkalines, and only make 130-180 emitter lumens.

 

[Echo63]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

Except here in Brizzy because there is an outdoor adventure shop that sells a brand "Tactical" whose products are overpriced and out of date.

They are only just beginning to sell regulated cree lights that retail for between AU$70-120 and they only take C or D alkalines, and only make 130-180 emitter lumens.

that large outdoor adventure shop (beginning with "A" ) is all over australia, not just Brizzy, and they still have the same junk "Tactical" Lights

Much cheaper and easier to get lights from america via CPFMP

 

[nanomu]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

"Tactical" is a pretty vague, and often controversial definition. Marketing language that indicates it probably has certain features. These might include momentary on, relatively high brightness, strobe mode, etc.

Emitter - The LED itself. As I understand it, things like Q5, R4, XPE, XPG, MCE, etc. are basically model names of different LEDs. Major manufacturers include Cree, SSC, Luminous, etc.
See the emitter thread here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=270419

Driver - Circuitry to regulate the voltage, etc. There are many drivers out there, and many custom ones as well. In contrast to "direct drive" (no circuitry), a light with a driver will not dim as the battery is used up, and may have extra modes and features.

Flux/bin/tint - Not sure the proper definition, but this has to do with the colour. Along with the driver, this can get pretty technical, so many light manufacturers don't disclose what bins they use, but will instead just say "cool/warm/neutral white". (You might see a reference to something like "7B4 bin", which will indicate pretty specifically what colour the beam of that light will be.)
A list of some bins is here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=156772

Lumens - I know this has a specific definition, but it can be subjectively read as "how bright this is". Keep in mind different manufacturers measure lumens differently, so some numbers are conservative, and some are exaggerated. However, it should still give you a vague idea.

Reflector - The LED is in the middle, and there is a reflective cone around it. Think of your classic maglite.

Optic - Instead of a reflector, a specially shaped piece of glass is used to focus the beam into a particular shape.

(Some lights, particularly keychain lights, will have neither reflector nor optic, but will just have a LED sticking out the front.)

Aspheric lens - These seem to be becoming popular lately. They are special curved lenses that focus the beam very tightly.

 

[cistallus]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

Oh the poor neglected Wiki. Even with scant attention, it already has definitions that should answer the OP's questions, on its terminology page:
http://www.cpfwiki.com/Wiki/index.php/Terminology

 

[carrot]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

http://gearcarrot.com/guides/lights

I believe you'll find answers to many of your questions on my website.

 

[rickypanecatyl]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

I know its in the wiki but I'm new to this too and its almost fun to see how many questions I might be able to answer

Let's see...

Lumens - total amount of light put out
Lux/Candle power - how intense the light is which has a huge impact on how far the beam will travel. (When I think of this I think of a night I was out in the ocean in my zodiac boat and paralelling the shore looking for where my car was parked. I couldn't get too close or my prop would hit. I had a couple high lumen lights with me but they weren't high lux and couldn't really make it as far as I needed.)
Drop in/host/pill - I get kind of fuzzy here. I don't know the difference between a pill and a dropin. I get the vague idea that one included an LED emittor + a heat sink + a reflector + a driver and one is just the LED emittor, heat sink, and driver without the reflector... love to figure this one out.

Flux bin & CRI another 2 terms that may or may not be synonimous that both have to do with the color of the LED. I know when someone says an emittor is about 3000k it looks orangish like a incandescent and 4,000 seems like white white and 6000K are the typical white if alone but blue if next to a 4000 k emittor.

Throw - I'd love to figure this one out. Of course it is how far the beam goes but theoretically all beams shined at the moon go to the moon. I read something about 1 lux having an actual definition of something like 1 lumen of light spread over 1 meter squared? A jetbeam M1X says it throws a beam over 500 meters... my question is always, "What the heck does that mean?" It reminds me of the packaging that boldly says, "7X brighter!!" "Lasts 4X longer!!!" I think "7X brighter than what??? A Japanese foreign exchange student... than bringing pork chops to a Muslim wedding?? ... Lasts 4X longer than what?? Viagra? Your college medical entrance exam? Your first catholic church service in all Latin? The extended version of Lord of the Rings? Help me out here..."

Oh and from reading a number of excellent "Selfbuilt" reviews (what does Selfbuilt imply to all of you guys anyways?) I learned that "the business end" of a flashlight is not what you initially think (I've got a 2 year old potty training) but rather the end the light comes out from....

Welcome to CPF!! I hope I didn't lead you astray!

 

[pounder]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

Drop in/host/pill - I get kind of fuzzy here. I don't know the difference between a pill and a dropin. I get the vague idea that one included an LED emittor + a heat sink + a reflector + a driver and one is just the LED emittor, heat sink, and driver without the reflector... love to figure this one out.

from what I understand it a "pill" is screwed into the head of the light..whereas the "drop-in" sits between the head of the light and the body and the head being tighting down around it keeps it in place..that and drop-ins are plenty for certain hosts (p60) whereas a pill is just the assembly that comes with a certain light and is not interchangeable..

 

[march.brown]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

As far as I can see on 3bay and other adverts , a tactical torch has a bezel that is crenelated (painful if prodded at someone).
.

 

[lovenhim]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

I know its in the wiki but I'm new to this too and its almost fun to see how many questions I might be able to answer

Let's see...

Lumens - total amount of light put out
Lux/Candle power - how intense the light is which has a huge impact on how far the beam will travel. (When I think of this I think of a night I was out in the ocean in my zodiac boat and paralelling the shore looking for where my car was parked. I couldn't get too close or my prop would hit. I had a couple high lumen lights with me but they weren't high lux and couldn't really make it as far as I needed.)
Drop in/host/pill - I get kind of fuzzy here. I don't know the difference between a pill and a dropin. I get the vague idea that one included an LED emittor + a heat sink + a reflector + a driver and one is just the LED emittor, heat sink, and driver without the reflector... love to figure this one out.

Flux bin & CRI another 2 terms that may or may not be synonimous that both have to do with the color of the LED. I know when someone says an emittor is about 3000k it looks orangish like a incandescent and 4,000 seems like white white and 6000K are the typical white if alone but blue if next to a 4000 k emittor.

Throw - I'd love to figure this one out. Of course it is how far the beam goes but theoretically all beams shined at the moon go to the moon. I read something about 1 lux having an actual definition of something like 1 lumen of light spread over 1 meter squared? A jetbeam M1X says it throws a beam over 500 meters... my question is always, "What the heck does that mean?" It reminds me of the packaging that boldly says, "7X brighter!!" "Lasts 4X longer!!!" I think "7X brighter than what??? A Japanese foreign exchange student... than bringing pork chops to a Muslim wedding?? ... Lasts 4X longer than what?? Viagra? Your college medical entrance exam? Your first catholic church service in all Latin? The extended version of Lord of the Rings? Help me out here..."

Oh and from reading a number of excellent "Selfbuilt" reviews (what does Selfbuilt imply to all of you guys anyways?) I learned that "the business end" of a flashlight is not what you initially think (I've got a 2 year old potty training) but rather the end the light comes out from....

Welcome to CPF!! I hope I didn't lead you astray!

Thanks for this, you made me laugh, and that is a good thing it has been a long week today.

 

[:)>]

Re: What does all the flashlight "jargin" mean?

Start with this: The Welcome Mat - a FAQ

Very cool! I never even saw that... go figure

 

[papajoe]

Need: necessity.
Want: something that you need.
New: something that you may need.
Neat: something that you will need.
1000 Lumens: need.