Optional Tritium Locator?

hi flashoholics, I'd like to know what is the "Optional Tritium Locater" on the Orb site http://www.theorb.co.uk/orbraw.php

-thanks

Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen (H3). It's a gas, contained within a glass vial which is coated with phosphers (these vials are called "trasers"). The H3 emits beta particles which excite the phospers. Put simply, it's a glow-in-the-dark thingy that instead of glowing for a few minutes after being charged with light, it glows constantly for many years. Its radioactive half-life is about 12 years, which means in a decade or so, it'll be half as bright. Despite being radioactive, it's completely harmless. The beta particles can't penetrate skin, and even if you broke a vial open, there's not enough to do any damage (and it disappates in air quickly). You get more radiation sitting in front of a TV.

Use in flashlights as a locator is a fairly recent thing. I think it's very helpful, since you can find your flashlight in the dark and you don't have to worry about charging the GID for it to glow. Trasers are also used in cockpits on instruments, as dot sights on guns, and most commonly (to regular people) as indicators on watch dials/hands. Luminox is perhaps the best know of watch makers to use tritium trasers on their SEAL watches (also S&W, Traser/H3 brand, Ball, and Marathon).

BTW, do a wikipedia search for "traser" or "tritium" and you can find more info.

Thanks Planterz.