OmniGlow - Cyalume Light Shape & Green Mini-TypeA

ABOVE: Left, self-adhesive backing protector /instructions
ABOVE: Right, transillumination shows two reactive vials side by side.

ABOVE:Attached to a 3"X5" Note Card. Instructions or directional symbols may
be written on surface
ABOVE: Center, Non-activated Disc and Far Right,Activated Disc

ABOVE: Left, Lightstick in package and Right, activated

ABOVE: Left, Green Mini is only 1.5" long | Right, may be attached to anything
with tape, adhesive or Pins

ABOVE: Left, Activated | Center, in a 1/2" refractive tube | Right a 1.25" tube

ABOVE: Green Mini next to a GlowRing Classic

Description..

Omni Glow Light Shapes and Mini Lightsticks are made by the same company that for years has been manufacturing the ubiquitous Glow Sticks that first started appearing on the market in the 70's. Though the range of products has evolved to include a plethora of variations for different market verticals, they are all based on the same chemi-iluminescent principle and effect. An active chemical and an oxylate are stored, separated from each other inside a sealed and transparent container utill they're needed. When needed the sticks or discs are activated when the two chemicals are deliberately combined by the user. Once this has occured they emit a highly visible omni-directional glow of light in various available colors. They serve to temporarily mark a location or object as well as person, animals and so forth- but thier use is limited only by the constraints of run time and output. Because they do not depend on energy from a battery or from direct electrical input, they are a reliable source of nocturnal marking with a four year shelf life. Thier low cost makes them accessible to most people needing the type of illumination that they produce. They are the safe alternative to incendiary flares for roadside emergencies. The Infra-red variants are widely used by the military for covert nocturnal operations. Divers also use them when diving in groups. Finally, they have an entertainment value that goes beyond the practical functionality. A few discs, or sticks in a pack or emergency kit ensure a failsafe marking tool is always handy for use.
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Sales Source:
http://www.omniglow.com
http://www.emergencyproducts.com
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Specifications for Omni-Glow Light Shapes

• Colors:Green,Red,Yellow & Infra Red (IR)
• Composition:2 breakable glass vials in a sealed polymer disc carrier
• In-Seal Activation process required
• Water Proof with self-stick adhesive on back
• Noticable up to 250 Yards for 5 hrs (Green) - Diminishing Brightness thereafter. Extinguished in 16 Hrs.
• Dimensions:Diameter=3". H=.55"
• Net weight:14gms /.1oz
• Four year shelf life
• Four times as bright as ultrabright GID paints or powders

Specifications for Omni-Glow Mini Type A

• Colors:Green,Light Red,Yellow & Blue
• Composition:1 breakable glass vial in a sealed 1.5" polymer stick
• In-Seal Activation process required
• Water Proof
• Noticable up to 40' 4.5 hrs (Green) - Diminishing Brightness thereafter. Extinguished in 8 Hrs.
• Dimensions:Diameter=.18"/4mm, L=1.5"
• Net weight:1grm
• Two year shelf life
• Twice as bright as ultrabright GID paints or powders

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Evaluation Results & Conclusions...

Ease of Use
Light Shape-Excellent . Requires very little learning if any. Intuitive functional model. No cognitive overhead .One simply crushes the encapsulated glass vials with bare hands, shakes the Light Shape a few times and if desired, removes the instruction sheet on the back of each disc to expose the strong self-stick adhesive layer. Light Shapes will stick to any relatively smooth and level, dry surface. Additionally, they may be attached to card, paper or other surfaces for captioning. They may also be enclosed in sealed zip-lock bags. The matte surface easily accepts marking by crease pencils, spray paints and waterproof markers.
Mini-Sticks are also easy to use. Simply bend the stick till the internal vial breaks and shake it a couple of times. It may now be enclosed or attached to an object or surface for use.
5 points
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Task performance optimization
Excellent . Accomplishes the task of drawing attention to a location or object for more than 5 hours within close proximity and without entailing the use of battery power or flames .Operation simply involves attaching a Light Shape disc or Light Stick to anything that the user wishes to mark. Because they are low profile, self-adhesive and very light weight, Light Shape Discs do not interfere by protruding significantly. Light Shape Discs are useful in circumstances where traditional light sticks are inadequate. Since they are relatively cheap, they are a good solution to a very specific end use that does not require a very bright or energy replaceable marking source. They therefore have a wide range of uses in Emergency , Transport and Military domains as well as in Occupational and Civilian markets. The Mini Type A's are so tiny that they invite use in contexts where a larger lightstick would be too much light, too large or both. The only contextual variable to consider with Cyalume technology is that Brightness / runtimes are somewhat affected by ambient temperature. They are brightest at thier rated runtimes above the freezing point of water (0ºC/32ºf). Conversly, they emit less light for a longer time at temperatures below freezing. It is therefore wiser to select Cyalume products with shorter runtime ratings for use in contexts of below freezing temperatures and to select ones with longer runtimes for uses in above freezing temperatures.
4.0 points
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Durability
Long term and stress tests have not been performed. First impressions are that in normal use they are durable given thier structural constraints. they require significant effort to puncture and untouched they will withstand ordinary exposure to the elements.They may burst if stepped on but will not break open if dropped.
5 points
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Adaptability
Within the constraints of it's design, the Light Shape and Mini Light Sticks are a suitable problem solver in several domains and may be compatible with a variety of products that would benefit from the unique properties of the chemilluminescent Cyalume technology.
5 points
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Quality of match to host product
N/A
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Pros > 1) Relatively economical 2) Good shelf life 3) Bright enough to read by close-up
Cons > 1) Brightness / runtime are somewhat affected by ambient temperature

Rating -4.75 Stars = Highly Recommended