http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/ Engadget Comments for The Torch flashlight: why illuminate when you can incinerate? http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 1:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 2:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
I want one of those. Then I can go down to the local grade school and impress those chumps who use magnifying glasses to burn ants.]]>Jan 28th 2008 3:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 1:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 1:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 1:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 3:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 3:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
Matches.]]>Jan 28th 2008 4:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 5:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 1:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
Plus Wicked Lasers overrates their lasers in terms of power.]]>Jan 28th 2008 5:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 8:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 1:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 1:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
Maybe with the next model I'll be able to write my name on the moon...]]>Jan 28th 2008 1:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
For those not in on the joke -- Chairface Chippendale. Wikipedia it.]]>Jan 29th 2008 1:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 1:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
I would assume that it uses a very "inefficient" lamp that emits more in the IR portion of the spectrum and an elliptical reflector to focus the radiation at a single point.

Can't check the site.. looks like it may have been engadgeted? (engadged?)]]>Jan 28th 2008 1:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
I tried Googling and got one (1) result only. And it didn't explain.

And yes, it seems the page is down...]]>Jan 28th 2008 2:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 2:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
Much in the same way high power radio waves generate heat.]]>Jan 28th 2008 2:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 2:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
This is referred to as "black body radiation", if you want to google it. If you didn't take a year or two of physics or calculus in college, most of the search results may be somewhat daunting.]]>Jan 28th 2008 3:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
One of the readers referenced 'IR' or Infra-Red wavelength light(wavelength is related to amount of energy in a photon). Infra-Red light has a tendency to excite molecules it hits producing heat energy. This is very similar to how water molecules are excited when Microwaves (a lower energy light) hit them.

Dont be fooled however, IR light isnt the only light that produces heat in objects. Every material, due to its component compounds absorbs specific wavelengths of light differently. For example those glow in the dark pigments people have on at Raves that only show up when they are exposed to UV (higher energy) light. In the case of the pigments instead of turning the UV light into heat they convert it into a small amount of heat and some other visible wavelength of light (which is why they are so dang bright).

On a molecular scale, what is actually happening is that the amount of energy that exists in the photon is just about the right size to promote one of the normal bonding electrons in an atom it strikes to a more energetic state. As they say... what goes up, must come down. It's like placing a ball bearing on an unleveled table. Eventually that ball bearing is going to fall, releasing all the energy you put into it by placing it higher.

In much the same way the electron must go back to a more stable state, releasing all the energy it recieved from the photon in some fashion. It can release the energy in a few different ways:
* Translation - causing the atom / molecule to move in 3d space
* Vibration - spring like stretching of the atomic bonds (aka Heat)
* Rotation - rotating parts of itself around bond axes (aka Heat)
* Fluorescence - Giving off another photon (rare)

Most of the time the energy is converted into Roto-vibrational energy (aka Heat) but sometimes it isnt (see the others). Metals are particularly susceptible to converting wavelengths of light into heat because they have much more receptive 'antenna' in the form of an expansive bonding shell (the D-sublevel). It is for this reason that while the metal handles on your doors will get 'fry an egg' hot, the less receptive cloth on your seats will remain relatively cool when exposed to the harsh sun.

I hope this helps. Oh, and I teach chemistry... so that's why I know.]]>Jan 28th 2008 11:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
Still, 4100 lumens is a crazy amount of light for a flashlight, just not nearly enough to IGNITE anything.]]>Jan 29th 2008 2:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 29th 2008 9:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
*clack* *click* *clack* I has itnernets! I can be expurt 2! *clack* *click* *clack*

]]>Jan 29th 2008 8:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 29th 2008 11:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
WOOOOO!]]>Jan 28th 2008 1:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 1:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 3:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
Nothing sad about it. ]]>Jan 28th 2008 4:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 5:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 5:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 5:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
I'm just adding this to my items-that-will-make-me-jump-your-ass-if-you-pull-it-out-on-my-flight list.

You'll find this right above parachutes, and right below dynamite.]]>Jan 30th 2008 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/And it helps to give a false impression of safety, and competence of the authorities.
]]>Jan 29th 2008 4:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/
Anyway.

Does anyone know if those lightbulps are actually usable in real life or will I have to invest another 50$ each time I drop that thing?

]]>Jan 28th 2008 1:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 2:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 2:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 2:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 2:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 2:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 4:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 5:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 10:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 2:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/28/the-torch-why-illuminate-when-you-can-incinerate/Jan 28th 2008 2:54PM