TECHNOLOGY DEFINED Our core lighting technologies and innovations explained.

From the backyard to the backcountry, the right light can help you to meet any challenge. Choosing the best product for the job can depend on the bulb type, beam pattern, and power source, among other details. And if it has to be waterproof, you’ve come to the right place. Princeton Tec has been designing and manufacturing water-compatible lights for over 40 years. These lights are rated according to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard, from IPX4 to IPX8. We also create ETL and UL-approved products and lights that meet strict safety requirements for industrial, tactical and professional applications.

BULB TYPES AND FEATURES

Princeton Tec has been designing lights since before there were many options for bulb types. Now, there are not only many options for bulb types, but the list of what you can expect them to do is expanding, also.

HALOGEN INCANDESCENT BULBS

These bulbs work in exactly the same way as traditional incandescent bulbs found in your home, with one major difference: they contain halogen gas instead of nitrogen or argon. This difference allows the bulb to burn brighter, more efficiently, and for longer periods of time. The bulb needs to be replaced less frequently since filament life is extended.

MAXBRIGHT LED

The highest quality LED available. Princeton Tec’s Maxbright LED is extremely bright and efficient. This single LED emits a smooth, powerful, white light useful for a wide range of tasks. Princeton Tec uses collimators or reflectors with the Maxbright LED depending upon the application. Must yell "MAXBRIGHT" when saying term out loud.

XENON INCANDESCENT BULBS

These bulbs closest to replicating the color temperature of daytime light. They also generate about twice the brightness and consume about half the power of traditional halogen bulbs. Xenon lights are well-suited to applications where a long-throwing beam is required, or when it is really important to trick someone into thinking it is daytime when it is not.

ULTRABRIGHT LED

The Ultrabright LED is bright and efficient. The smooth, white, wide-beam light emitted by Ultrabright LEDs is ideal for close to mid-range tasks. Ultrabright LEDs are usually grouped together to offer a more powerful light source. Advances currently underway will continue to improve the efficiency and brightness of Ultrabright LEDs. "Ultrabright" can also be yelled when using the term in conversation, but not nearly as loud as "Maxbright".

DIMMABLE LED

Dimmable LEDs provide the precise output needed for a given task, and help conserve battery power for maximum efficiency. Sometimes we use the word dimmability, which isn't exactly a word yet, but we're very fond of it and have faith it will become one.

REGULATED LED

Lights that feature regulated LEDs have a sophisticated regulating circuit that maintains initial brightness as long as the batteries have sufficient voltage. They are so sophisticated that if they had eyes, they would definitely wear a monocle. Traditional lights are very bright initially, but immediately begin to dim and continue to dim until the batteries are drained. Constant Brightness is a term used to describe products that have regulated LEDs.

BEAM PATTERNS AND DISTANCE

Princeton Tec measures beam distance as the distance from the light source at which the light emitted is greater than 0.25 lumens, an amount of light which is similar to the amount of light that is cast by a full moon on a clear night.

FOCUSED NARROW BEAM

This pattern creates a long, powerful beam of light excellent for illuminating distant areas, or for use during fast paced activities.

MULTIPLE BEAM

This beam pattern combines focused narrow and wide beams to allow for the most versatility. At close range, the wide beams simulate normal daylight conditions so you can take advantage of your peripheral vision, while focused narrow beams provide distance illumination.

FOCUSED WIDE BEAM

This beam pattern is an excellent choice for multipurpose activities. At close range, wide beams simulate normal daylight conditions and allow you to take advantage of your peripheral vision.

MULTIPLE MODE

Multiple settings on many of our products give you the flexibility to adjust your light’s brightness to illuminate greater distances or to conserve battery power, depending on your needs.

BATTERIES

There are various ways to fuel your favorite personal lighting products - and as time goes on, the list keeps growing. We know fuel type can be a very personal preference, so Princeton Tec is committed to providing you with as many options as possible.

BATTERY POWER METER

The battery power meter provides continuous feedback on the condition of the batteries, indicating high, medium or low battery life. This information allows you to make educated decisions about changing batteries or packing a spare set.

LITHIUM COMPATIBLE

Special circuitry in the guts of these products allow for you to run either Alkaline or Lithium batteries to fuel your light. Oftentime Lithium batteries can extend burn time and handle colder climates better.

RECHARGEABLE

Powered by a rechargeable power source, these lights allow you to plug either the light itself, or an included rechargeable battery in to refuel. Cut down on cost and waste generated by one use batteries.

WATERPROOF RATING SYSTEM

Princeton Tec has been designing lights that are compatible with the water for 40 years. Our lights are rated according to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard.

IPX4

These lights are designed for water resistance to splashing and quick dunkings. If a light with a IPX4 rating is accidentally submerged for a longer period of time, the batteries should be removed and the cabinets should be carefully inspected for signs of battery leakage. If water has entered the housing, the light should be dried and batteries replaced.

IPX7

IPX7 lights provide waterproof integrity down to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.

IPX8

Diveable lights that provide waterproof integrity for continual submersion in water at depths down to 100 meters. If Atlantis had flashlights, they would be IPX8.

IXP6

Lights rated IPX6 have a high level of water resistance; generally they can take quick dunkings, some precipitation and even a strong spray of water. (Although, we've never found lighting products to be all that good at water gun fights.) If water enters the housing of the light, please remove the batteries and dry everything out.

INDUSTRIAL RATINGS

We want to be sure that you are able to get the job done you need to get done, safely, no matter what the conditions. Princeton Tec has designed a series of lights that meet various ETL and UL requirements.

UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC.

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product-safety testing and certification organization. They have been testing products for public safety for more than a century. In order for a product to bear the certified UL Mark, it must pass all UL requirements at their testing facility.

ETL RATED

ETL is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory and tests products to UL, CSA and CE standards. A product bearing the ETL Listed Mark is determined to have met the requirements of prescribed product safety standards. Moreover, the mark indicates that the manufacturer's production site conforms to a range of compliance measures and is subject to periodic follow-up inspections to verify continued conformance.

SOME TECHNICAL, SOME NOT SO MUCH

These are some of our favorite features to highlight in the products we make.

360 LIGHT

This light is designed for area illumination, and disperses light in a 360 degree pattern to light up a campsite or other area.

REGULATED LED

Lights that feature regulated LEDs have a sophisticated regulating circuit that maintains initial brightness as long as the batteries have sufficient voltage. They are so sophisticated that if they had eyes, they would definitely wear a monocle. Traditional lights are very bright initially, but immediately begin to dim and continue to dim until the batteries are drained. Constant Brightness is a term used to describe products that have regulated LEDs.

LED OPTIC COLLIMATOR

A collimator gathers all available light from an LED in the form of scattered rays and re-emits the light as parallel rays, making it more optically efficient than a standard reflector. Princeton Tec calibrates each collimator to the type of LED and application of each light. With proprietary optimized collimator/lens systems, Princeton Tec continues to advance LED technology.

SWIPE

Product is controlled by the touch of your finger: swiped to the left. Or maybe the right. If you have a fingerprint, this may be the product for you.

RECHARGEABLE

Powered by a rechargeable power source, these lights allow you to plug either the light itself, or an included rechargeable battery in to refuel. Cut down on cost and waste generated by one use batteries.

VISIBLE 1 MILE

Lights in this category are visible 1 mile away... which you probably figured out from the text on the icon. But just in case, here it is again.