Nightfire Patches® and Retro-Reflectivity

Nightfire Patches®' secret is retro-reflectivity. Retro-reflectivity is the correct term given to something that has the ability to return light back to its source. Many materials appear to have some small degree of reflectivity, but retro-reflective materials bounce the greatest amount of light back toward a light source. This makes them startlingly visible in dark conditions. Some patches claim to be reflective, but only retro-reflective materials can be seen from more than a few feet away at night. Nightfire Patches® uses the highest quality retro-reflective materials available in manufacturing our copyrighted designs.

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Nightfire Patches® uses the same retro-reflective material that many emergency service groups, like fire departments, police, and paramedics use--in new designs that you'll want to wear! Emergency service groups often have markings and tape on their uniforms that shine a brilliant white when hit with television camera lights, or headlights. This is retro-reflective material at work! Wearers of this material become far more visible in dark or low-light conditions, as even a small amount of light will bounce back toward its source. Drivers know that many road signs are highly reflective-these are another example of retro-reflective materials. Nightfire Patches® uses this technology to make you more visible at night, without sacrificing your style or attitude.

Just how bright are Nightfire Patches®?

Retro-reflectivity of materials used in Nightfire Patches® is measured in candle power. Official data says that white clothing performs up to 0.3 candle power. A vehicle license plate comes in at a level of 50. A conforming retro-reflective material has 500 candle power! There is a direct relationship between reflective index (candle power), and the distance from which it can be seen as in this drawing.

How do Nightfire Patches® do it?

Nightfire Patches® researched all materials with reflective claims, testing each one, and narrowing the field to two with true retro-reflectivity. Using a cube corner prism, or glass bead principal, these materials reflect light off the faces of the prism, or the rear face of the glass bead. This sophisticated technology consistently directs light back to its source, transforming Nightfire Patches® into brilliantly white reflective and visible surfaces at night!

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