Additional modes
The number and types of
additional modes of operation provided for in the flashlight.
Additional modes include all modes in which the flashlight operation format differs from the standard “constant luminous flux in the visible range without pronounced coloration”. Namely
strobe,
SOS,
beacon,
flicker,
light,
low / high beam,
infrared (IR),
ultraviolet (UV),
red light,
blue light,
green light, etc. More details about each:
- Stroboscope. Fast flashing mode - several flashes per second. One of the most popular applications of this function is disorientation of the enemy in an extreme situation; in light of this, a stroboscope is often provided in underbarrel flashlights (see "Type"), as well as manual models of "tactical" specialization. In addition, fast blinking is well suited to distinguish yourself on the road - especially in cloudy weather or at night: such a light is much more visible than constant light, including with peripheral vision. At the same time, we note that when using a stroboscope, some caution should be observed:
...due to the specific effect on the psyche, this mode can provoke exacerbations of certain diseases - for example, seizures in patients with epilepsy.
— S.O.S. The mode of operation is "three short flashes - three long - three short", which corresponds to the international signal "please help" (letters SOS in Morse code format). This eliminates the need to send such a signal manually and allows you to leave the flashlight to work autonomously, and take care of more pressing problems (which often accompany situations that require the "SOS").
— Low / high beam. Possibility to switch between far directional beam and near diffused light. This switching is most often accomplished by using multiple sets of LEDs; at the same time, in some models, each of these sets is responsible for its own mode, in others, all diodes work in the high beam, and only a part of them work in the low beam.
— Infrared (IR). Illumination in the invisible infrared range. It is used, in particular, to improve the efficiency of night vision devices and IR sights. Note that many of the LEDs responsible for this mode also glow in the visible range (red light) during operation; however, this glow is quite weak and, as a rule, is noticeable to the human eye only when looking directly at its source from a short distance.
- Ultraviolet (UV). Illumination in the ultraviolet range is mainly used to identify objects and traces that are invisible under normal lighting. One of the most popular ways to use this feature is with a makeshift currency detector: most modern banknotes have markings that glow under UV light. Also, such light can be used to detect inscriptions with “invisible” ink (including marks on the same banknotes), some biological (for example, blood) and chemical liquids (in particular, UV-sensitive compounds can detect leaks in pipes and liquid contours), etc. Note that the UV emitter usually glows in the visible range - with a characteristic bluish tint; this allows you to accurately determine whether such a light is on or off.
- Red light. One of the more popular complementary colors in modern flashlights; can be used both in combination with blue and green (in the so-called RGB models), and as the only auxiliary shade. One of the features of red light is that it practically does not affect night vision, does not penetrate through the eyelids, and even after complete darkness does not blind the eyes. This makes such lighting the best option, for example, for clarifying map data during a night hike, when you need to quickly restore vision after turning off the light, or for emergency lighting in a sleeping room, where you need to see the environment and at the same time it is undesirable to disturb sleeping people with the light. . Another way to use red light is signaling: this light travels farther than blue or green, and stands out prominently against most landscapes and man-made objects. Hue change can be carried out both due to the light filter on the main light source, and due to a separate LED.
- Blue light. One of the shades used in the main three-color "RGB-lanterns" - along with red (see above) and green. This light is intended mainly for situations where you need to effectively illuminate the space in front of you, but it is undesirable to use ordinary white light. Human vision is most sensitive just to blue and green shades; therefore, a relatively weak blue light flux allows a large amount of detail to be revealed. And in some situations, such lighting can be even more effective than white. For example, if at night a white lantern is pointed at a light object, then the space behind this object will be hardly noticeable due to the bright reflected light; and a weak blue light will evenly highlight both the "foreground" and the "background". But using this shade at high brightness, on the contrary, is undesirable - reflection from bright blue light will dazzle even more than from white, and even more so red. And if a blue beam, even a weak one, hits directly into the eyes, it will instantly knock out night vision, and it will take quite a long time to restore it.
Note that the choice between blue and the similar green (see below) depends on the specific situation: different shades may be optimal in different situations.
- Green light. Hue, most commonly used in tri-color RGB lights, but sometimes used as the only complementary color. In many ways it is similar to the blue described above - in particular, in some situations, a weak green light can clearly reveal details that are invisible in other shades (even under the same blue light), but high brightness is undesirable for such a beam. In addition, this color has its own specific feature: many animals almost do not react to green light, so it is especially convenient for hunting.
- Lighthouse. The mode of infrequent flashes with a repeating amplitude, most often at a relatively low brightness (with some exceptions to the rule). In some models of lanterns, you can even meet more than one version of the lighthouse. The mode is designed to detect and observe the user at a distance; at the same time, the beacon not only consumes battery power more economically than a constant light of the same brightness, but is also better visible from afar. We also note that in headlamps, the flicker mode performs a similar function (see below).
- Flicker. In this mode, the flashlight emits short pulses or shines with a variable, "pulsating" brightness. This format of work is not intended to illuminate the surrounding area, but to make the user more visible to others: a person reacts to flickering light reflexively, even if its source is far in the peripheral vision zone. The flicker mode will be useful primarily on the roads - for example, when walking or cycling at night: in the same city, such a warning for surrounding drivers will not be out of place, and there is no need to talk about dark country roads.
— Red blinking (red blinking, red beacon). This mode allows you to make the flashlight as noticeable as possible: the red light, especially the flashing one, catches the eye even in the daytime. And in the dark, this shade is also useful due to the fact that it does not harm night vision (for more on this, see "Red Light" above). But the specific specialization of the red flashing may be different, depending on the specialization of the flashlight. For example, in tourist models (see "Type"), this mode allows you to give a signal, indicate the location of the camp, collection points, etc.; and in headbands, it is used to highlight the user on the road and make him as visible as possible to others (primarily for car drivers).
- Lamp. The function is found, as a rule, among hand lamps and in tourist models of flashlights (as an addition to the main directional light). In fact, we are talking about a scattered light mode - as opposed to a directional beam that provides the main light source with a reflector. Diffused light does not differ in range, but it allows you to cover a significant space - for example, to illuminate an entire room.
- LCU. Laser pointer mode: the flashlight emits a laser beam, the mark from which points to the intended point of impact. It makes sense to provide for such a regime only in underbarrel models (see "Type").
Note that this list is not exhaustive: modern flashlights may provide for other, more specific modes of operation. In such cases, the features of the functionality should be clarified according to the manufacturer's documentation.Shockproof
Additional resistance of the flashlight to various kinds of shocks and shocks. The specific degree of
shock protection for different models varies, sometimes quite noticeably; This point should be clarified according to the official documentation. At the same time, the vast majority of shock-resistant models are able to transfer at least a fall from their hands onto a hard surface without consequences, and anyway they are more durable than unprotected flashlights.
It is recommended to specially select a shock-resistant model, first of all, if your activity involves a corresponding risk — for example, extreme tourism, speleology, military affairs, security activities.
Material
— Plastic. Of the advantages of
plastic flashlights, one can note their low weight and good suitability for low temperatures. In particular, this material does not "cool" the hand as much as metal, and has a lower thermal conductivity (which reduces the risk of battery hypothermia). On the other hand, plastic cases are significantly less durable. As a result, they are mainly used in cases where light weight is crucial — in particular, in headlamps and tourist lanterns (see "Type").
— Metal. The main advantage of
metal flashlights is high strength. Metal weighs significantly more than plastic, but in some cases this can also be a positive feature: "heavy" devices are often more pleasant in the hand and are perceived as more solid and reliable than
light flashlights. At the same time, such cases are colder than plastic cases to the touch, which can create some discomfort at low temperatures; Yes, and they cost a little more.
Note that the most popular type of metal in flashlights is aluminium alloy — light and at the same time strong, durable and corrosion resistant material. The reliability of this alloy is enough even for full-fledged batons (see below). So other types of metal are extremely rare. Cases made of titanium are a separate case — they are placed in a separate category, described below.
— Titan. Titanium alloys are distinguished by
...their lightness, low thermal conductivity (they do not “cool” the hand as much as other metals) and extremely high strength, however, they are very expensive. Titanium case, usually, is a sign of a very advanced flashlight, which is why this option is not included in the "metal" category, but is taken out separately.
— Metal / plastic. Cases that combine metal and plastic elements are a relatively rare option, found mainly in flashlights with the function of headrests (see "Type"). In such models, at least a part of the lantern is usually made of metal, including a lamp and optics, and often the entire “head”; other hard parts (platform for attaching to belts, buckles on belts, etc.) are made of plastic. This allows to provide sufficiently high reliability and at the same time to reduce the cost.
Other types of lanterns with this design are noticeably less common — hand-held "compacts" and lamps, tourist models, etc. They have the same general idea: the most critical parts that require high strength are made of metal, and the rest are made of plastic (to reduce weight and cost). At the same time, for a number of reasons, models in combined cases that are not related to “headbands” have not received distribution.
