ANSI FL1 Standard

In 2009 the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) published the “Flashlight Basic Performance Standard“ (FL1). Now you can compare flashlights of different manufacturers with neutral means.

All Walther Pro Lights are made and tested according to ANSI FL1.

Light Output (or Luminous flux): On flashlights with several brightness levels, the light output in lumens is measured at the highest level starting at 30 and ending at 120 seconds.

Beam distance: Distance at which an illuminance of 0.25 lux can still be measured – this is the amount of light on the ground from a full moon on a clear night, because this provides a certain feeling for a highly technical value.

Run time: Time after switch-on and continuous operation until the brightness is reduced to 10 percent, so that an average user will usually replace or recharge the batteries.

Enclosure Protection Against Water Penetration Ratings: Minimum requirements for the enclosure’s protection against water ingress and damage. All samples must function normally immediately after the test and also 30 minutes later.

Impact Resistance (Drop test): During the drop test in six different orientations, the sample must be switched off, but with all intended parts and additions (batteries, retaining straps, hand straps, etc.). The minimum drop height is 1 metre onto fully cured concrete. Higher drop heights can be used, but then all test samples must meet the requirements for this height.

Beam Adjustment System

Walther Pro’s beam adjustment system (patent pending) ensures that a maximum amount of light is available, regardless of the focus setting. In lamps fitted with BAS, an aluminium reflector is combined with a lens made of MMA (polymethyl methacrylate, also known as acrylic glass). With BAS you can tailor your illumination needs individually.

If the reflector head is pushed forwards, the LED moves to the rear of the reflector lens, thereby reducing the amount of light deflected by the lens and bundling it into a narrow beam. The remaining light is deflected by the mirror surface of the reflector, and exits the system via the transparent conical front section around the lens. Consequently, this light is not lost but is also focused, thereby increasing the luminous flux (lumens) at the focal point as well as the beam distance.

By pulling the reflector head backwards, the LED is moved far into the reflector lens. Practically all the light from the LED is projected forwards by the lens section as a wide-angle homogenous circle. This is particularly useful for the close range, permitting e.g. work without glare and non-fatiguing.

Microcontroller

The Walther Pro Lights microcontroller is used for electronic control. The microcontroller is a tiny computer whose intelligent programming offers numerous functions and options, such as different brightness levels or the Tactical Defence Strobe via a fast access feature. Almost unnoticed by the user, the microcontroller also processes the signals from the Temperature Management System and optimises the lamp’s run time.

Multi Battery System

The Multi Battery System (MBS) which is used in many Walther Pro Lights, provides a choice for using several battery or accumulator types so that the customer can adapt the lamp flexibly to his needs and individual circumstances (for example, accumulators at home, where they can be recharged quickly, and batteries in the field). Moreover, rechargeable accumulators are environmentally compatible – a further step towards a sustainable way of life. And of course, the use of accumulators helps to prevent high operating costs.

Tactical Defence Strobe

In the Tactical Defence Strobe (TDS) operating mode the Walther Pro Light emits fast flashes with a frequency of 20 Hz. The effect is to temporarily blind and disorient a possible attacker. The TDS function is activated very easily, regardless of which light function was used previously.

Temperature Management System

The Temperature Management System (TMS) monitors the temperature in the Walther Pro Lights and reduces current and brightness as necessary, thereby protecting the components from damage.

Time Control System

It would not make any sense to use 100 percent of the maximum brightness during the entire run time until the batteries are discharged. That wouldn’t take very long. Therefore, the Walther Pro Lights start with maximum brightness, but then reduce it to a lower level in order to increase the run time. However, this reduction of brightness presents no problems, because the human eye works very well with a limited amount of light in darkness, whereby various photo receptors quickly adjust to different lighting conditions. Apart from that, too much light is often neither necessary nor sensible. If maximum brightness is required again, the lamp only needs to be switched off and back on. Full brightness is then immediately available again.