angelofwar
Flashlight Enthusiast
Update 11 Mar 12:
Broke the thread apart into sections;
Flashlight Lingo/Acronyms
Battery Chemistries
Internet Lingo/Acronyms (English)
Hope this will help navigate it better!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, having read the "Annoying Acronyms" Thread in The Cafe, I came across this:
So, here's a start:
Flashlight Lingo/Acronyms:
Alkie/s = Refers to Alakline batteries; refers to the chemical compound of said batteries; the most common battery composition in the world; known for their commonality and availability; prone to leakage; weighs more than lithium and has less temperature tolerance. Also has a much shorter shelf life (~3 years), as opposed to the 10-15 years shelf life found in Lithium Batteries
AOW = Angel of War; One of the coolest guys on CPF; Known SF addict, cheeky at times; Also refers to St. Micheal in the book of Revelations, i.e. the Arch-Angel of War
CB = A designator found at the end of Surefire models, indicating a "Crenulated Bezel" (see "SB = Strike Bezel")
CCT = Correlated Color Temperature
CPF = Candle Power Forums
CPFMP = Candle Power Forum Marketplace (Also referred to as MP)
CRI = Color Rendering Index
CS = Customer Service OR Custom, as in a custom light
C/W = Complied With
Drop-In = Refers to a light assembly that "drops-in"; this is opposed to the common PR-Flanged/screw type bulbs most of us are used to growing up. This too was made popular by both Surefire and Pelican by having the lamp and reflector housed in the same unit, so when you swap bulbs, you"drop-in" the new one; Sample Include Malkoff, Nail-Bender, P60 Style L.A.'s, Deree Light, etc.
"Duraloop" = Refers to white top Duracell RC's, which are basically re-branded Eneloops
EDC = Every Day Carry
HA = Hard Anodized; This refers to Type-III (Mil-Spec) anodizing
HOLA = High Output Lamp Assy. (See LOLA below)
Host = Primarily refers to a flashlight body designed to house another light fixture/filament other than the original. This was made mainstream by Surefire presenting the "P60" style of lamp assemblies, where the reflector and emitter are in the same unit.
IR = Infra-Red (The "low/red-yellow" end of the light spectrum); Hot objects emit "infra-red light" by the heat they emit.
JB = Jetbeam; A prominent Chinese Flashlight Mfg.
KT = Kit, Turbo-head; refers to "Surefire Turbo-heads"; The "Kits" actually refer to the actual head/bezel, with adapter and lamp; i.e. the KT1/KT2 are essentially the same Turbo-Heads, with just different lamps.
L91 = Refers to "AA" sized Lithium Batteries (more specifically, Energizer brand, the most widely {only?} available lithium AA's)
L.A./LA = Lamp Assembly; Refers to an self contained lamp (bulb) with springs (i.e. MNXX) or with a reflector as well (i.e. PXX/P60/61/90/91); This is as opposed to a regluar PR flanged/screw based bulb.
LED/L.E.D. = Light Emitting Diode; An energy efficient lighting method where power is applied to a "powdered diode", producing light; The future of modern lighting; First "practical" commercial LED flashlight was the Inova X5, from Emmissive Energy Corp., circa 2001
LOLA = Low Out-Put Lamp Assembly; Came to be out of the fact that Surefire lights usually had two lamp assemblies that could be used in each incandescent light; A low output lamp and a high out put light; i.e. The P60=6 volt 65 lumen L.A.; P61= 6 volt 120 lumen L.A.
LOP = Light/Low Orange Peel
LSD = Low Self Discharge; Refers to a batteries ability to retain it's charge while not in-use. For example, a cell with excellent LSD will maintain 90-95% of it's voltage over a 6 month period, while a crappy one may only last a matter of weeks or days. The premier and favored LSD Cell is the Eneloop from Sanyo (also easily available in the U.S. as Duracell white-tops/"Duraloops")
LSD = Lightning Speed Discharge
Lumen = The amount of Luminous Flux; Am measurement of of "visible light" at the emitter/light source
Lux = Light Measurement; "Lumenous Out-Put"; Also refers to "Luxeon" LED Emitters, i.e. Lux-3/Lux-III
Lux-III/3/V/5 = Refers to Emitters manufactured by the Luxeon LED Company. III/3 or V/5 refers to the wattage.
mAh = MilliAmp Hours; This is a term of "Capacity" in a battery; a battery with say, a capacity of 2500mAh, with a lamp the draws 2 amps (1amp=1000mA) will last ~1.5 hours.
mA = MilliAmp (See above)
Mag/M@g = Mag-lite; A prominent US based/Mfg'ed Flashlight company; probably the most widely known light in the world.
MP = See "CPFMP"
MOP = Medium Orange Peel
NV = Night Vision
NVD= Night Vision Devices
NVG = Night Vision Green/Night Vision Goggles
OP = Orange Peel/Original Post/Original poster; Refers to "orange peel" reflectors as opposed to SMO (smooth); refers to the texture of the reflector; Orange Peel texturing helps remove defects in the beam, usually at the loss of a little throw.
OTF = Out The Front, as in "Out The Front Lumens (refers to how much light makes it out the front of the light; can be effected by emitter positioning, reflector, and lens). Example: An LED/Emitter may put out 500 lumens, but if you use a smoky lens, only 450 lumens make it out the light.
PK = Paul Kim; The lead engineer at Surefire flashlights; Known by some as the "Father of the Modern (tactical) flashlight"; Owns 50+ flashlight patents; Designed most Surefire flashlights, from their function to their design. Also owner/Designer of the "Icon" brand of Flashlights
PWM = Pulse-Width Modulation; Refers to an out-put "setting" in which the LED flickers on-off extremely fast (nano-seconds) to save power, while having the appearance of being "constantly on". Leads to flickering when batteries are running low.
R = Usually found at the end of Surefire light models, indicating that that model is a rechargeable model
RC/RCR = Refers to a Rechargeable battery
ROP = Roar of the Pelican; refers to a high powered, user mod involving a Mag-lite body and a Pelican Lamp Assy.
RT = Run Time (how long a light will run for
SB = Strike Bezel; A bezel/Head with sharp, crenulated teeth, for an added self defense method.
SCDS = Sudden Cell Death Syndrome; simply refers to (usually low quality) cells (batteries) simply draining for no explained reason.
Size-15 = More passionately known as "Al", it refers to his...ummm...shoe size??? A cheeky Surefire Know it all from "the motherland", who WILL correct you if you mis-refer to HA anodizing as type two, or, even worse, as the KT4 as a "Turbo-head".
SL = Streamlight; A prominent based US based/China Mfg.'ed flashlight Mfg.; Widely known/used in US LEO/Fire Fighter circles
SF = Surefire; A prominent US based flaslight Mfg. known for their "Lego-abilty" (modular), and the prominent Weaponlight Mfg. for the U.S. Military, along with Insight Technology
SMO = Smooth Reflector
SS = Stainless Steel
SSC = Seoul Semi-Conductor; Emitter
SWM = Sunwayman; A prominent Chinese Flashlight Mfg; Also refers to Short Wave Modulation, in ref. to radio signals
Ti/TI = Pronounced "Tie"; Refers to lights/accessories made from the metal Titanium
UV = Ultra Violet; The "High/Blue-Purple" end of the light spectrum; Has radioactive properties, useful for disinfecting, curing special compounds, and tracking non-visible traces of fluids, etc.
Wench = On CPF, refers to Greta, the vigliant and respected owner/operator of CPF and affiliated sites.
ZL = Zebra Light; A prominent China based light Mfg. that specializes in headlamp style lights
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Battery Chemistry:
IMR = lithium Ion Manganese Rechargeable
ICR = lithium Ion Cobalt Rechargeable
IFR = lithium Ion Ferrous Rechargeable
LIon =Lithium Ion
NiCad = Nickel Cadium
NiMH = Nickel Metal Hydride
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Acronyms (English)
AFAIK = As Far As I Know
BTW = By The Way
FYI = For Your Information
GTG = Good To Go
IIRC = If I Recall Correctly
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion
LOL = Laughing out loud
OTOH = On The Other Hand
OP = Refers to original post/poster in regards to a thread
PITA = Pain In The Arse/A**
PP = Paypal
SPF = Sold, Pending Funds
WTB/WTT/WTS = Want to Buy/Trade/Sell, respectively.
WTH = What The Hell? (as in dis-belief/awe)
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary (Your Meters May Vary); i.e. You're experience may be different (than presented example/opinion).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER (Along with lights comes a certain leaning towards "Readiness", so I will include a few other useful acronyms):
C.B. = Civilian Band; A radio frequency range dedicated (in the U.S.) for civilian use. Mostly used now by Truckers. 40 Channels. Channel 9 is emergency (still monitored by several LE, etc. agencies) and 19 is "Information", and is the "Truckers" channel.
FRS = Family Radio Service; Frequency range set aside for civilian use; channels are limited to 2 watts.
GMRS = Global Monitored Radio Service; extends past the frequency of FRS, but channels are more powerful (5-Watt), and requires a liscence
GPS = Global Positioning System; developed primarily for the U.S. military, but has found to be popular with civilian applications; a system of satellites controlled by the USAF Space Command that emit signals to help aircraft/vehicles/personnel (through hand-held units) triangulate their position; having "access" to more satellites increases accuracy.
LNS = Land-based Navigation System; the global positioning system used prior to GPS; still in use by many ships/boats; now serves as a back-up to GPS in the event of failure. Consists of several land based "radars" that help boats/AC triangulate there coordinates base off received radio signals.
SW = Short-Wave; World Wide frequency used all over; powerful signals and the fact that the frequency range is not used in any other applications, allows people world wide to pick of short wave radio signals; effect by the magnetic field surrounding the earth, so signal reception varies by solar/lunar activity (which effects the magnetic field). You may only be able to pick up a Chinese broadcast form 4pm to 8pm, for example. The BBC is the largest organization to still make use if this.
Broke the thread apart into sections;
Flashlight Lingo/Acronyms
Battery Chemistries
Internet Lingo/Acronyms (English)
Hope this will help navigate it better!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, having read the "Annoying Acronyms" Thread in The Cafe, I came across this:
On another note, I'm trying to find a list of acronyms used here. I keep running across ones I don't know.
So, here's a start:
Flashlight Lingo/Acronyms:
Alkie/s = Refers to Alakline batteries; refers to the chemical compound of said batteries; the most common battery composition in the world; known for their commonality and availability; prone to leakage; weighs more than lithium and has less temperature tolerance. Also has a much shorter shelf life (~3 years), as opposed to the 10-15 years shelf life found in Lithium Batteries
AOW = Angel of War; One of the coolest guys on CPF; Known SF addict, cheeky at times; Also refers to St. Micheal in the book of Revelations, i.e. the Arch-Angel of War
CB = A designator found at the end of Surefire models, indicating a "Crenulated Bezel" (see "SB = Strike Bezel")
CCT = Correlated Color Temperature
CPF = Candle Power Forums
CPFMP = Candle Power Forum Marketplace (Also referred to as MP)
CRI = Color Rendering Index
CS = Customer Service OR Custom, as in a custom light
C/W = Complied With
Drop-In = Refers to a light assembly that "drops-in"; this is opposed to the common PR-Flanged/screw type bulbs most of us are used to growing up. This too was made popular by both Surefire and Pelican by having the lamp and reflector housed in the same unit, so when you swap bulbs, you"drop-in" the new one; Sample Include Malkoff, Nail-Bender, P60 Style L.A.'s, Deree Light, etc.
"Duraloop" = Refers to white top Duracell RC's, which are basically re-branded Eneloops
EDC = Every Day Carry
HA = Hard Anodized; This refers to Type-III (Mil-Spec) anodizing
HOLA = High Output Lamp Assy. (See LOLA below)
Host = Primarily refers to a flashlight body designed to house another light fixture/filament other than the original. This was made mainstream by Surefire presenting the "P60" style of lamp assemblies, where the reflector and emitter are in the same unit.
IR = Infra-Red (The "low/red-yellow" end of the light spectrum); Hot objects emit "infra-red light" by the heat they emit.
JB = Jetbeam; A prominent Chinese Flashlight Mfg.
KT = Kit, Turbo-head; refers to "Surefire Turbo-heads"; The "Kits" actually refer to the actual head/bezel, with adapter and lamp; i.e. the KT1/KT2 are essentially the same Turbo-Heads, with just different lamps.
L91 = Refers to "AA" sized Lithium Batteries (more specifically, Energizer brand, the most widely {only?} available lithium AA's)
L.A./LA = Lamp Assembly; Refers to an self contained lamp (bulb) with springs (i.e. MNXX) or with a reflector as well (i.e. PXX/P60/61/90/91); This is as opposed to a regluar PR flanged/screw based bulb.
LED/L.E.D. = Light Emitting Diode; An energy efficient lighting method where power is applied to a "powdered diode", producing light; The future of modern lighting; First "practical" commercial LED flashlight was the Inova X5, from Emmissive Energy Corp., circa 2001
LOLA = Low Out-Put Lamp Assembly; Came to be out of the fact that Surefire lights usually had two lamp assemblies that could be used in each incandescent light; A low output lamp and a high out put light; i.e. The P60=6 volt 65 lumen L.A.; P61= 6 volt 120 lumen L.A.
LOP = Light/Low Orange Peel
LSD = Low Self Discharge; Refers to a batteries ability to retain it's charge while not in-use. For example, a cell with excellent LSD will maintain 90-95% of it's voltage over a 6 month period, while a crappy one may only last a matter of weeks or days. The premier and favored LSD Cell is the Eneloop from Sanyo (also easily available in the U.S. as Duracell white-tops/"Duraloops")
LSD = Lightning Speed Discharge
Lumen = The amount of Luminous Flux; Am measurement of of "visible light" at the emitter/light source
Lux = Light Measurement; "Lumenous Out-Put"; Also refers to "Luxeon" LED Emitters, i.e. Lux-3/Lux-III
Lux-III/3/V/5 = Refers to Emitters manufactured by the Luxeon LED Company. III/3 or V/5 refers to the wattage.
mAh = MilliAmp Hours; This is a term of "Capacity" in a battery; a battery with say, a capacity of 2500mAh, with a lamp the draws 2 amps (1amp=1000mA) will last ~1.5 hours.
mA = MilliAmp (See above)
Mag/M@g = Mag-lite; A prominent US based/Mfg'ed Flashlight company; probably the most widely known light in the world.
MP = See "CPFMP"
MOP = Medium Orange Peel
NV = Night Vision
NVD= Night Vision Devices
NVG = Night Vision Green/Night Vision Goggles
OP = Orange Peel/Original Post/Original poster; Refers to "orange peel" reflectors as opposed to SMO (smooth); refers to the texture of the reflector; Orange Peel texturing helps remove defects in the beam, usually at the loss of a little throw.
OTF = Out The Front, as in "Out The Front Lumens (refers to how much light makes it out the front of the light; can be effected by emitter positioning, reflector, and lens). Example: An LED/Emitter may put out 500 lumens, but if you use a smoky lens, only 450 lumens make it out the light.
PK = Paul Kim; The lead engineer at Surefire flashlights; Known by some as the "Father of the Modern (tactical) flashlight"; Owns 50+ flashlight patents; Designed most Surefire flashlights, from their function to their design. Also owner/Designer of the "Icon" brand of Flashlights
PWM = Pulse-Width Modulation; Refers to an out-put "setting" in which the LED flickers on-off extremely fast (nano-seconds) to save power, while having the appearance of being "constantly on". Leads to flickering when batteries are running low.
R = Usually found at the end of Surefire light models, indicating that that model is a rechargeable model
RC/RCR = Refers to a Rechargeable battery
ROP = Roar of the Pelican; refers to a high powered, user mod involving a Mag-lite body and a Pelican Lamp Assy.
RT = Run Time (how long a light will run for
SB = Strike Bezel; A bezel/Head with sharp, crenulated teeth, for an added self defense method.
SCDS = Sudden Cell Death Syndrome; simply refers to (usually low quality) cells (batteries) simply draining for no explained reason.
Size-15 = More passionately known as "Al", it refers to his...ummm...shoe size??? A cheeky Surefire Know it all from "the motherland", who WILL correct you if you mis-refer to HA anodizing as type two, or, even worse, as the KT4 as a "Turbo-head".
SL = Streamlight; A prominent based US based/China Mfg.'ed flashlight Mfg.; Widely known/used in US LEO/Fire Fighter circles
SF = Surefire; A prominent US based flaslight Mfg. known for their "Lego-abilty" (modular), and the prominent Weaponlight Mfg. for the U.S. Military, along with Insight Technology
SMO = Smooth Reflector
SS = Stainless Steel
SSC = Seoul Semi-Conductor; Emitter
SWM = Sunwayman; A prominent Chinese Flashlight Mfg; Also refers to Short Wave Modulation, in ref. to radio signals
Ti/TI = Pronounced "Tie"; Refers to lights/accessories made from the metal Titanium
UV = Ultra Violet; The "High/Blue-Purple" end of the light spectrum; Has radioactive properties, useful for disinfecting, curing special compounds, and tracking non-visible traces of fluids, etc.
Wench = On CPF, refers to Greta, the vigliant and respected owner/operator of CPF and affiliated sites.
ZL = Zebra Light; A prominent China based light Mfg. that specializes in headlamp style lights
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Battery Chemistry:
IMR = lithium Ion Manganese Rechargeable
ICR = lithium Ion Cobalt Rechargeable
IFR = lithium Ion Ferrous Rechargeable
LIon =Lithium Ion
NiCad = Nickel Cadium
NiMH = Nickel Metal Hydride
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Acronyms (English)
AFAIK = As Far As I Know
BTW = By The Way
FYI = For Your Information
GTG = Good To Go
IIRC = If I Recall Correctly
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion
LOL = Laughing out loud
OTOH = On The Other Hand
OP = Refers to original post/poster in regards to a thread
PITA = Pain In The Arse/A**
PP = Paypal
SPF = Sold, Pending Funds
WTB/WTT/WTS = Want to Buy/Trade/Sell, respectively.
WTH = What The Hell? (as in dis-belief/awe)
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary (Your Meters May Vary); i.e. You're experience may be different (than presented example/opinion).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER (Along with lights comes a certain leaning towards "Readiness", so I will include a few other useful acronyms):
C.B. = Civilian Band; A radio frequency range dedicated (in the U.S.) for civilian use. Mostly used now by Truckers. 40 Channels. Channel 9 is emergency (still monitored by several LE, etc. agencies) and 19 is "Information", and is the "Truckers" channel.
FRS = Family Radio Service; Frequency range set aside for civilian use; channels are limited to 2 watts.
GMRS = Global Monitored Radio Service; extends past the frequency of FRS, but channels are more powerful (5-Watt), and requires a liscence
GPS = Global Positioning System; developed primarily for the U.S. military, but has found to be popular with civilian applications; a system of satellites controlled by the USAF Space Command that emit signals to help aircraft/vehicles/personnel (through hand-held units) triangulate their position; having "access" to more satellites increases accuracy.
LNS = Land-based Navigation System; the global positioning system used prior to GPS; still in use by many ships/boats; now serves as a back-up to GPS in the event of failure. Consists of several land based "radars" that help boats/AC triangulate there coordinates base off received radio signals.
SW = Short-Wave; World Wide frequency used all over; powerful signals and the fact that the frequency range is not used in any other applications, allows people world wide to pick of short wave radio signals; effect by the magnetic field surrounding the earth, so signal reception varies by solar/lunar activity (which effects the magnetic field). You may only be able to pick up a Chinese broadcast form 4pm to 8pm, for example. The BBC is the largest organization to still make use if this.
Last edited: