Trakkabeam Searchlight Advantages
The Peak Candlepower Myth
Beam pattern of a typical searchlight
Note the spike in the beam center (also known as Peak Candlepower). The area in red is the usable beam pattern. Notice how there is very little energy in this area in relation to the peak candlepower. The peak is an unusable hot-spot in the center representing wasted energy.
Beam pattern of Trakkabeam searchlight
The energy is more evenly dispersed throughout the entire target plane – even at the edges – more usable energy; fewer lost targets.
Trakkabeam - The Optical Advantage
Trakkabeam’s unique optical design utilizes a Xenon lamp half the size of traditional searchlights to deliver a more intense and consistent beam on the target – where you need it.
At the heart of the Trakkabeam technology is its proprietary lens configuration. The precision design of the optical elements in relation to the arc source is responsible for:
- the effective collimation of the lamps visible and non-visible energy and
- the successful reduction of stray (wasted) light.
Trakkabeam searchlights deliver a superior beam profile with uniform intensity across the whole beam spot. This provides extremely powerful, consistent and effective illumination, avoiding lost targets by eliminating the black holes or hot spots seen at the center of vision of conventional searchlights.
Most searchlight manufacturers advertise a measure of 'peak candlepower' (such as 30 million candlepower) as being the prime attribute of beam quality and searchlight performance. They promise more energy on target by specifying this peak candlepower measurement. What they neglect to convey is that less than one degree of the advertised beam shape has that much energy. The remainder of the beam has a very small percentage of that peak energy. In other words, the 'peak candlepower' specification does not explain the most important aspect of any beam: i.e. how the total energy of the lamp is dispersed over the entire target plane.
When one is evaluating the effective performance of a searchlight, the adjacent charts show that Trakkabeam’s uniform energy placement throughout the beam, is far more relevant and critical to a successful mission than the traditional measure of 'peak candlepower'. This important Trakkabeam advantage is explained in more detail in the download article 'Peak Candlepower Myth'.
Full range of available spectral filters,
from 380 to 1100 nm – other specific
wavelengths available upon request
Trakkabeam M500watt beam from
500 meters at 2.9 degrees
Trakkabeam incorporates the industry’s first and only internal filter wheel.
The unique internal filter wheel provides for a range of illumination requirements. Operators can switch instantly between filters, for example from covert IR to overt white light. The innovative design is particularly important for in-flight use, or where the light is operated remotely, where filters can be changed at the touch of a button.
The filter wheel is sealed in the body of the light, eliminating damage or failure that could result from the use of external mechanical arms and filters.
A selection of infrared filters provide lighting from red glow through to completely covert illumination. An amber filter can be used to help operators see better through mist and smoke, and colored filters can be used for long range signaling. The UV filter is ideal for picking up reflective materials in search and recovery operations and can be used in many other applications, such as tracking oil slicks.
More Efficient and Cost Effective
Trakkabeam® offers the highest MTBF (mean time between failures) in the industry. This, together with the standard two-year warranty, makes it the most cost-effective advanced searchlight package available.
Compact and Lightweight
By using the most advanced design and fabrication technologies, Trakkabeam® is able to deliver superior searchlight performance while reducing system weight and envelope size.
Trakkabeam Advantages in summary:
- Superior beam profile
- High intensity
- Less input energy required
- Small and weighs less
- Internal spectral filters
- Multi-mission capable
- Instant start-up
- Aerodynamic profile
- Built–in Slave capability
- Light beam doesn’t shake or vibrate in flight
- Fully DO-160E tested and rated
Disclaimer: Some photographs have been retouched for clarity and/or advertising purposes