Cyalume SnapLights are the industry leading chemiluminescent (chemical-light), used by the U.S. military, NATO forces, law-enforcement, and outdoorsman for 40 years. Whether you need a dependable light source for disaster preparedness, or to mark a helicopter landing zone while under enemy fire, Cyalume products are the gold-standard.
Features:
Cyalume "Industrial Grade" SnapLights vs. Cyalume "Military Grade" ChemLights:
Those familiar with lightsticks may ask what the differeces between ChemLights and SnapLights are (both made by Cyalume). The bottom line is that for most people, the SnapLights will perform as well, or better, than the military ChemLights, plus they have a 1 year longer shelf life. While the ChemLights are the only lightsticks that meet military standards, the slow-changing nature of military specifications actually means that the industrial-grade SnapLights have a "better", more modern, chemical formula. Here is a small comparison chart.
Feature | SnapLight (Industrial) | ChemLight (Military) |
Chemical Formula | Brighter in the beginning, with gradually reduced light output over use-time. | More consistent light output over the duration of use-time. |
Specifications/Standards | Does not meet mil-spec. | Only lightstick to conform to mil-spec. |
Packaging/Format | Colorful consumer foil package. Light has round tubular body, with hook and lanyard hole. | Camouflage foil pacakaging. Light has roll-resistant octagonal body, with gaited hook. |
Shelf Life | 5 years from date of manufacture. | 4 years from date of manufacture. |
Color Availability | 6 colors | 6 colors, plus IR |
NOTE: All sticks are tested at a temperature of 72° F (22 degrees C) to determine the illumination duration. Each 10° C (50° F) increase or decrease in temperature doubles or halves the reaction rate, and therefore the brightness and duration. For example, the same light stick that emits approximately 30 lux (a unit that describes how much light is visible over a square meter) at 15 minutes after activation at 24° C (75° F) will be half as bright but glow twice as long at 14° C (57° F). At 34° C (93° F), the same light stick would be twice as bright, but glow half as long. Storage at elevated temperatures (above 120° F or 49° C) will decrease shelf life and start to soften the plastic tube, and increase the risk of a leak. Exposure to cold temperatures will not affect the light sticks if they are warmed above 40° F (4.5° C) before activation, unless they are frozen (which occurs at -15 to -20° F, or -26 to -29° C). Once light sticks have been frozen, they will still produce some light, but performance will not be as reliable. Humidity and atmospheric conditions do not affect the light sticks.