Home Up Feedback Contents Search

IR Flashlight FAQ

This is a historical page from the old MaxMax.com website. Please use the current site at www.MaxMax.com.


IR Light Order IR Flashlights IR Camera Flashes IR Light-Sticks IR Flashlight FAQ Pro IR Illuminators

 

Below are answers to common questions concerning infrared (IR) flashlights.

How far will your infrared flashlight work?  This depends on

bulletThe IR frequency of the light
bulletThe sensitivity of your camera or Night Vision Device (NVD) to that IR frequency
bulletThe power of the light
bulletThe size of the beam

What is the difference between the frequencies?  IR ranges from 725nm to 1700nm for the Near IR (NIR) range.  Lights fitted with a low-cut IR filter, like a 715nm, will pass 715nm through 1200nm.  Lights fitted with a high cut filter, like a 1000nm, will pass 1000nm through 1200nm.  A 715nm light will emit a slight red glow when you look directly into the light.  A light with a 1000nm filter will look completely black when on.  However, a 1000nm filter will make the light less powerful since it is only allowing a smaller portion of light through.

This brings up a very important point.  The lower you go, the better the light will illuminate, but it will be more visible.  As you go to higher frequencies, the power of the light will drop.

What is best for my camera or NVD?  You want to chose the lowest frequency possible while still maintaining the covertness you require.  Lower frequencies will work better but won't be as covert. 

bulletTypical consumer camcorders with NiteShot can see to about 1200nm.
bulletTypical Night Vision Devices (NVD) can only see to about 880nm.  Don't get a 1000nm IR flashlight unless you know specifically that your NVD can see that high.  Most can't!

Can you give me an idea of the different frequencies and covertness?

715nm Light gives a cherry red glow when looking into beam.  Slight visible red light projected
780nm Light gives a dull cherry red glow.  Very slight visible light projected
830nm Light looks black unless very close to front.  No visible light projected.
850nm Light looks black.  No visible light projected
1000nm Light looks black.  No visible light projected.  Above range of most NVD's.  Most covert beam

Typical Light Distance Ranges

Type Of Light Camcorder Typical NVD (this varies)
715nm, 2 AA battery 25 feet 30 feet
715nm, XNiteFlashSTG 50 feet 100 feet
880nm Single LED 5 feet 10 feet
940nm Single LED 4 feet 0 feet
715nm 2,000,000 candle power 300 feet 300 feet +
830nm 2,000,000 candle power 250 feet 300 feet +
1000nm 2,000,000 candle power 150 feet 200 feet (because of power, NVD still sees some of this light)

 

 

                                

 

Send mail to webmaster@maxmax.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: June 16, 2015