Battle Lights Glossary

Here you will find a glossary of some of the most commonly used battle light terms. A swift review of the terms below will help you find the right product that fit your needs.   

Aircraft Aluminum 6061T-6

A hardened aluminum alloy containing magnesium and silicon.

Anodized

Anodizing is an electro-chemical process that converts the metal surface into a durable, corrosion-resistant finish.

Deep Dish Reflector

A reflector that produces a narrow beam. It is the best choice for illuminating objects at longer distances (hundreds of meters).

Divergence

The beam divergence of an electromagnetic beam is an angular measure of the increase in beam diameter or radius with distance from the optical aperture or antenna aperture from which the electromagnetic beam emerges.

Double Tap

A tap sequence that allows the laser or illuminator to stay illuminated or on for 5 minutes.

Emitter

The actual light-emitting part of an LED assembly. Can also describe where lumens are measured, for instance whether lumen output is measured at the emitter or OTF (out the front).

Flood

Scattered light emitted from a flashlight. Good for indoors use to light up a room or outdoors at shorter ranges to light up an area.

Flux

Light output, measured in lumens.

HID

High-Intensity Discharge. A type of bright and efficient lighting.

High Impact Glass-Filled Polymer

A housing made of glass-filled polymer that is lightweight but durable.

High Output White Light LED

An LED which can be driven at currents from hundreds of mA to more than an ampere, compared with the tens of mA for other LEDs. Some can emit over a thousand lumens.

Integrated Push Button Switch

An “On” or “Off” switch or other function that is built into the product.

LED

Light Emitting Diode. An electronic component that produces light.

Lens

Typically, a piece of glass or plastic with curved faces that shapes light, but in flashlights the lens can also be the flat piece of glass or plastic at the front of the light that protects the light source.

Lumens

A measurement of light output. Lumens measure all of the light output (compare to lux).

NATO 1913

A new standard for mounting auxiliary equipment such as telescopic sights, tactical lights, laser aiming modules, night vision devices, reflex sights, foregrips, bipods, and bayonets to small arms such as rifles and pistols.

Optic

Usually a Total-Internal-Reflection reflector/refractor, as opposed to a metal-coated reflector. (See TIR)

Optical Diffuser

A device that softens the beam of a flashlight, via a translucent film or material placed over the lens. It is also used to diffuse IR laser light to cause IR illumination.

Picatinny Rails

Also known as a MIL-STD-1913 rail, STANAG 2324 rail, or tactical rail, it is a bracket on some firearms that provides a mounting platform for accessories and attachments, similar to the Weaver rail mount.

Recoil-Resistant White Light LED Technology

A LED designed to withstand the effects of recoil conditions.

Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, most popular being the visible & infrared which are ranges traditionally given as: ultraviolet light, 100-400 nm; visible light, 400-750 nm; and infrared, 750 nm-1 mm.

Strobe Mode

Is a setting or switch position on a device used to produce regular flashes of light at 8Hz.

Telescopic LED Illuminator

An adjustable beam divergence LED illuminator

Thumb Screw Mount

Is a solid and secure dual thumbscrew mount that can be attached to your Picatinny rail in seconds without the use of tools.

Total Internal Reflection (TIR) Lens

A TIR optic takes advantage of "total internal reflection" where light that strikes a surface at a shallow angle will bounce off the surface and continue through the material instead of scattering. The optic collimates the light and sends a concentrated beam of light out in the same direction, giving a tight hotspot with greater throw.

Visible Override

A switching action that uses a Y-Cable remote switch to allow a white light illuminator to override the IR illuminator instantly.

Y-Cable Switch

A remote activation cable used to activate two separate products simultaneously.

Waterproof

Description for items that may be used in wet environments or under water to specified depths.

White Light LED: High Intensity Reflector

The High Intensity Reflector produces a narrow angle of white light, which is almost parabolic