Please!!

Please...when refering to a particular flashlight, use the complete name of the light! "Sure Fire A2" means more to the novice flashaholic than does "A2". Some one want to tell me what a "TL-3", "X5T", "TID", "KL5","L1", "L2", "M6", or "L1-P" is? :thinking:

I think they are talking about a Streamlight TL-3.
Just my novice idea. I could always be wrong though.

Sorry Roy, I will try to do better, it is confusing at times. I always know what I meant however I do fail to understand what others mean at times.
Topper

Thank you Roy!!

Yeah, this is probably a good idea... I've been around here for quite a while and interested in lights for quite a bit longer still and I don't remember reading the TID acronym until that thread the other day though at least the poster did say what it stood for.

That's a good idea as most of us are novices in some aspect of the CPF. The challenge for me will be remembering that

Roy :thumbsup:

"TL-3" Streamlight
"X5T" Inova
"TID" hmmm, the pointy things you can attach to bezels?
"KL5" Surefire
"L1" Surefire
"L2" Surefire
"M6" ahhhhh heres a tricky one,, is it a Surefire M6, or a Pelican M6 :thinking:
"L1-P" Fenix

Yea, it can get confusing , especially for a newnie not used to all this.
~John

Good idea!

Funny though - I had the same issue with "TID" - what does it stand for anyway?

TID = Tactical Impact Device, at least according to GG&G:

http://www.gggaz.com/products/tid.php

jtice said:

"TID" hmmm, the pointy things you can attach to bezels?

Click to expand...

Naw - it's one of those pointy things you can attach a tassle to, but they only come in pairs :devil:

M6 is the most tricky of all the ones I've seen, or that is to say has the most variables. SureFire M6. Pelican M6 Lithium. Pelican M6 LED, and I think even a Pelican M6 LED HAIII!

Insight (sold under Streamlight as well) make an M-6 and an M6X
So yeah, it can be really confusing with so many companies using the same or similar model numbers.

My personal opinion is that since SureFire was first, M6 is SureFire M6.
Round here, the Pelican M6 is often called the "PM6" which I think works well.

I agree that the manufacturer (or more detailed description) should be used where possible at least to begin with so that the everybody knows which flashlight is being referred to.

Al

Maybe make a Sticky post as well containing the definitions of the (aphabetized) acronyms so that anyone can instantly look it up instead of having to search thread by thread if they are looking for a specific one.

TorchMan said:

M6 is the most tricky of all the ones I've seen, or that is to say has the most variables. SureFire M6. Pelican M6 Lithium. Pelican M6 LED, and I think even a Pelican M6 LED HAIII!

Click to expand...

now all we need is a Surefire M6 led

You know, I have an acronyms page on my website; might be a good idea to add these flashlight abbreviations to it to help stop the ball of confusion.

Roy said: "...Please...when refering to a particular flashlight, use the complete name of the light! "Sure Fire A2" means more to the novice flashaholic than does "A2"...."

Minimal references is a common practice on many forums, not just flashlights. E.g, a Honda Goldwing GL1800 motorcycle is often referred to on motorcycle forums as a GL18 or just GL.

It's similar for cars, airplanes, boats, guns, knives, etc. Just about any discussion group does this.

I agree it's good to keep in mind novices, but novices on virtually any discussion group will encounter a similar situation, regardless of the subject.

Most flashlights discussed can be identified by simply searching the Flashlightreviews.com "all lights by manufacturer" page: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews_index/reviews_by_mfgrs.htm

It's more problematic when minimal references describe a rare or custom light for which there's little information beyond CPF.

Context is also a factor. If a novice asks advice, it's good to completely name the light. However if hardened flashaholics are debating the exact slope of the A2 "soft start" curve, they'll tend to minimally name the light, as is typical when experienced people discuss advanced topics among themselves.

But I agree it's good to keep in mind novices and fully name the light at least once in the thread.

Here's a thought since search still isn't up to snuff. How about a list in the Wiki that has a link at the top of every page? That way it's always available rather than putting a sticky someplace. Might even make a link to the Mfg's page for that light too.

-LT

Lunal_Tic said:

Here's a thought since search still isn't up to snuff. How about a list in the Wiki that has a link at the top of every page? That way it's always available rather than putting a sticky someplace. Might even make a link to the Mfg's page for that light too.

-LT

Click to expand...

I second that!!! I was thinking of that in the first place, but decided against mentioning that to spare the webmaster. Though, now that I see that suggestion posted here, I think it would be a great addition to the site.

My sticky suggestion was a good one, but now I realize that for newbie's to the site, they would have to remember which catagory it was placed in and with trying to learn all the jargon they may loose thier way to that page. (at least I know I would).