Super Powered trigalight vs trigalight: What is the difference?
mb-microtec: Setting New Standards in Self-Illuminating Technology
mb-microtec continuously sets new standards in self-powered illumination. Last year, the next generation of super powered trigalight was introduced – a revolutionary advancement based on the proven trigalight technology. The super powered trigalight offers maximum brightness and efficiency for the most demanding applications.
But what exactly sets super powered trigalight apart from the classic model? And who benefits the most from this innovation? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Super Powered trigalight?
The patented super powered trigalight is essentially a trigalight enhanced with a metallic coating. A homogeneous aluminum layer just a few nanometers thick is applied to the outer glass surface axially, radially, or partially using a PVD process. This creates a mirror that reflects the light generated in the core and redirects it to the desired emission point.
The result: increased luminous intensity — up to 80% brighter than the standard version, with the same tritium activity.
Key Differences: Super Powered vs. Classic trigalight
1. Maximum Brightness
The classic trigalight has proven itself over decades in various colors and brightness levels, tailored through specific process parameters. It offers a 10-year glow guarantee and retains about half of its brightness after that period, continuing to meet the highest standards.
However, for applications where maximum visibility in dark or demanding environments is critical, the super powered trigalight becomes the best choice, thanks to its significantly higher brightness.
2. Limited Tritium Activity
Regulatory requirements cap the radioactivity per device, limiting design flexibility. For example, a traser watch for the Swiss market may contain no more than 1 GBq of activity, distributed across 15–17 trigalights. If a certain brightness level is required, it is often not feasible to increase trigalight size or tritium activity.
The super powered trigalight provides a new solution: same brightness with lower activity.
3. Innovative Metal Coating
The classic trigalight has proven itself over decades in various colors and brightness levels, tailored through specific process parameters. It offers a 10-year glow guarantee and retains about half of its brightness after that period, continuing to meet the highest standards.
However, for applications where maximum visibility in dark or demanding environments is critical, the super powered trigalight becomes the best choice, thanks to its significantly higher brightness.
4. Design Possibilities
Thanks to sophisticated techniques and processes, trigalight can be coated axially, radially, or partially. The sharp contours and mirror effects at the light’s exit points aren’t just technically impressive — they also inspire watch designers.
Even custom logos and round numerals can now be implemented on a miniature scale directly on the trigalight.
5. Sustainability
Super powered trigalight is also fully recyclable. The coating does not interfere with the recycling process; the gaseous tritium can be safely separated from the glass-metal residue. This aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and ISO 14001 certification.
6. Compact Design
Thanks to the nanocoating, the super powered trigalight retains nearly the same dimensions as the classic version. This allows seamless integration into existing components where space and efficiency are crucial — no redesigns or tool changes needed for the housing.
Who Benefits from Super Powered trigalight?
The super powered trigalight was developed for target groups that demand peak performance, including:
- Military and law enforcement: In high-risk scenarios, increased brightness can be critical — when precision and visibility can mean the difference between life and death.
- Manufacturers of tactical equipment: Night sights and optical devices used in low-light conditions require high brightness in a compact form.
- Safety applications: In public buildings and hotels, tritium-based emergency exit markers and safety accessories rely on bright, dependable illumination.
- Designers: Partial coatings open new creative possibilities in watch design.
- Eco-conscious users: By reducing the required amount of tritium, super powered trigalight offers a more sustainable solution — without sacrificing brightness.
When Is Super Powered trigalight the Right Choice?
The classic trigalight remains a trusted solution for a wide range of applications. It’s cost-effective, easy to integrate, and meets the needs of most users.
However, super powered trigalight is the ideal choice for those who:
- Need maximum brightness for demanding environments
- Prioritize sustainability and want to reduce tritium use without compromising performance
- Are developing high-performance devices that require improved visibility and precision