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Difference between revisions of "Terminology"
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;corona: - the area of transition between a beam's central hotspot and the area of spill. The corona becomes more prominent as the reflector surface is made rougher or more heavily textured, and also as the distance of the light emitting surface from the reflector focal point increases. | ;corona: - the area of transition between a beam's central hotspot and the area of spill. The corona becomes more prominent as the reflector surface is made rougher or more heavily textured, and also as the distance of the light emitting surface from the reflector focal point increases. | ||
;CPF: - [http://candlepowerforums.com/ CandlePower Forums] A large flashlight discussion board and marketplace. | ;<span id="CPF">CPF</span>: - [http://candlepowerforums.com/ CandlePower Forums] A large flashlight discussion board and marketplace. | ||
;Cree: a manufacturer of high-power, high-efficiency LEDs; particularly the XR-E, XP-E, XP-G, and MC-E. See article [[Cree]]. | ;Cree: a manufacturer of high-power, high-efficiency LEDs; particularly the XR-E, XP-E, XP-G, and MC-E. See article [[Cree]]. | ||
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;Nailbender: a CPF member who makes high power P60 and other drop-ins for host lights. | ;Nailbender: a CPF member who makes high power P60 and other drop-ins for host lights. | ||
;OP: 1. orange-peel. A textured surface, e.g. for a reflector, used to smooth out beam imperfections. Compare to SMO. 2. on conference posts can refer to "original poster," the person who originally started the thread. | ;<span id="OP">OP</span>: 1. orange-peel. A textured surface, e.g. for a reflector, used to smooth out beam imperfections. Compare to SMO. 2. on conference posts can refer to "original poster," the person who originally started the thread. | ||
;optic: usually a total-internal-reflection (see TIR) reflector/refractor, as opposed to a metal-coated reflector. | ;optic: usually a total-internal-reflection (see TIR) reflector/refractor, as opposed to a metal-coated reflector. | ||
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;protected: Preventing damaging [[Rechargeable#Lithium_Ion_.28Li-ion.29_-_3.7V.2Fcell|Li-Ion]] cells by excessive discharge, either by a protection circuit built into the battery, or (in some flashlights) by the light turning off or going to a lower level. | ;protected: Preventing damaging [[Rechargeable#Lithium_Ion_.28Li-ion.29_-_3.7V.2Fcell|Li-Ion]] cells by excessive discharge, either by a protection circuit built into the battery, or (in some flashlights) by the light turning off or going to a lower level. | ||
;PWM: Pulse Width Modulation. A technique of varying the brightness of a LED by flashing it on and off very quickly, making it appear to the eye that the LED is dimmer. Good PWM is at such a high rate that you can't notice it. But if you wave your hand in front of the light and get a strobe effect, the PWM is getting too low. Some use current regulation which makes the light dimmer without PWM. | ;<span id="PWM">PWM</span>: Pulse Width Modulation. A technique of varying the brightness of a LED by flashing it on and off very quickly, making it appear to the eye that the LED is dimmer. Good PWM is at such a high rate that you can't notice it. But if you wave your hand in front of the light and get a strobe effect, the PWM is getting too low. Some use current regulation which makes the light dimmer without PWM. | ||
;ramping: a mode in some flashlights where the brightness varies (ramps up or ramps down) and you select the brightness level you want. Sometimes this level is then memorized, but in the original Nitecore D10 it is only used until you turn the light off again. | ;ramping: a mode in some flashlights where the brightness varies (ramps up or ramps down) and you select the brightness level you want. Sometimes this level is then memorized, but in the original Nitecore D10 it is only used until you turn the light off again. | ||
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;SMD: Surface Mount Device - most high-power LEDs used in flashlights are mounted this way where legs of a component are soldered to pads on the surface of the circuit board (as opposed to through-hole soldering where the legs of the LED's go into holes on the circuit board which are then soldered on the underside with the excess leg length clipped off). | ;SMD: Surface Mount Device - most high-power LEDs used in flashlights are mounted this way where legs of a component are soldered to pads on the surface of the circuit board (as opposed to through-hole soldering where the legs of the LED's go into holes on the circuit board which are then soldered on the underside with the excess leg length clipped off). | ||
;SMO: a reflector with a smooth finish. Designed for better throw, but also shows imperfections in the LED (e.g. rings). Compare to OP. | ;<span id="SMO">SMO</span>: a reflector with a smooth finish. Designed for better throw, but also shows imperfections in the LED (e.g. rings). Compare to OP. | ||
;spill: the area of a flashlight beam outside of the hotspot and corona. Light intensity in the spill area is typically low and even, and comes directly from the light emitting surface with little or no contribution from the reflector. | ;spill: the area of a flashlight beam outside of the hotspot and corona. Light intensity in the spill area is typically low and even, and comes directly from the light emitting surface with little or no contribution from the reflector. | ||
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;tactical: more of a marketing term than anything. Often refers to a light with fewer modes and a forward clicky, designed to take some abuse and possibly be mounted to a weapon. See [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=147215 CPF discussion]. | ;tactical: more of a marketing term than anything. Often refers to a light with fewer modes and a forward clicky, designed to take some abuse and possibly be mounted to a weapon. See [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=147215 CPF discussion]. | ||
;throw: the ability of a flashlight to place light onto a distant defined area of surface, i.e how well the light is collimated. The throw of a light source of fixed power will be defined by the surface brightness of the light emitter, and the shape, diameter, depth, smoothness, and reflective efficiency of the reflector surface. A flashlight with good throw characteristics is called a "thrower" and generally has a narrow beam that is best for illuminating objects at a distance (hundreds of feet). Compare with "flood." | ;<span id="throw">throw</span>: the ability of a flashlight to place light onto a distant defined area of surface, i.e how well the light is collimated. The throw of a light source of fixed power will be defined by the surface brightness of the light emitter, and the shape, diameter, depth, smoothness, and reflective efficiency of the reflector surface. A flashlight with good throw characteristics is called a "thrower" and generally has a narrow beam that is best for illuminating objects at a distance (hundreds of feet). Compare with "flood." The [[ANSI-NEMA FL-1|ANSI/NEMA FL-1]] standard states throw two ways: candela and meters. | ||
;Ti: Titanium - used to make flashlights that many consider attractive, rugged, and have good wear properties. More expensive and doesn't conduct heat as well as Aluminum. See [[Materials#Titanium|Titanium]] | ;Ti: Titanium - used to make flashlights that many consider attractive, rugged, and have good wear properties. More expensive and doesn't conduct heat as well as Aluminum. See [[Materials#Titanium|Titanium]] | ||