Z-BOLT® LED for Beam Brightness
BLAZER I (IP65) or BLAZER II (IP68)
Illuminators Aid in Non-Laser Passive Aiming 
Z-BOLT® ships two types of infrared illuminators. Unrestricted LED (Light Emitting Diodes) for our CIV legal devices, and VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers) restricted sale Class 3B illuminators for military and law enforcement end users. IR LED chips are common in illuminator only heads from Modlite, Malkoff, and the Surefire Vampire. All use reflectors to focus the beam and provide "flood" or "spill".  They are fixed and cannot be adjusted. A few LED devices offer variable focus optics - most notably in the Steiner DBAL D2 and SPIR.  VCSEL laser illuminators are found in the Class 3R (FDA Restricted) & Class 3B Wilcox Raid XE; BE Meyers KIJI & MAWL; Holosun IRIS.  Earlier generation DPPS laser IR illuminators are found in the DBAL A3 and ATPIAL (PEQ-15). But there's an LED illuminator in the SPIR & DBAL D2, and the raw performance of these illuminators is top tier.  Let's talk about that a bit. 

LED for the Win!
Unrestricted Power
Beats VCSEL 3R in Beam Brightness
The Steiner SPIR & DBAL D2 devices first shipped 12 years ago. Steiner Optics (formerly Laser Devices) has since migrated to lasers for their illuminators on the DBAL A2, DBAL A3, and DBAL A4. None of these newer products come close to matching the LED illuminator on the D2 or SPIR. The D2 remains a top performer for civilian legal illuminator performance, and has developed a cult like following. Scores of reviews, like this one Why the DBAL D2 is Still the Best Civilian IR Laser tell the story. LED chips are low-speckle light sources, and are not lasers, so not regulated by the CDRH of the FDA. The Z-BOLT® 350mW LED chip can operate @ 100% of its designed output. Result? The beam output, the infrared "light on target",  is superior to a "throttled" Class 3R VCSEL. (the FDA regulates the power output of civilian VCSEL lasers)  LED infrared illuminators are not rated and the power output is UNRESTRICTED.
ACAL Specific Guide Here

And what about the large illuminator section on the SPIR & D2? And now the BLAZER I & BLAZER II? What does the focusing bezel do? It's about focal length and aperture size. An expansive 4° to 25° beam adjustment involves manipulating the position of the BLAZER optical elements (the main lens up and down a bezel adjusted helix) relative to the light source and to each other to precisely control the focal point, beam size (spot size), and beam divergence/collimation. Focal length determines the min/max movement of the lens elements back and forth along the optical axis - aperture size determines the limits of wide fan angles - how much illuminator light can exit the device - ie. the illuminator "flood" performance. Quality wide area illumination (not diffused or "scrubbed" light) means enhanced detection of short to medium range threats - it means increased situational awareness. Reflector based illuminators can't do this . . . 

BLAZER I LED
Made in Taiwan 🇹🇼
IR Passive Aiming Accessory 
Z-BOLT® entered this market in 2022, introducing the BLAZER LED Infrared Illuminator. Most LED infrared products have their chips mounted in a reflector head. Fixed beam fan angle; fixed flood; beam or flood non-adjustable.  Head size and thread pitch is fixed. The BLAZER I features a single lens variable zoom optic. (there is a noticeable "hot spot" when narrowly focused) The focusing lens travels on a carriage within the housing. Shorter 180° bezel travel (D2 & SPIR 360°) moves the beam spot/angle from 4° focused to 25° flood. 1000 meter beam throws! The BLAZER I ALSO operates on all common battery types. As well as all "Scout" flashlight and weapon light bodies.  Add our Surefire M300/M600 or Arisaka 300/600 light body adapter to run 1 or 2 pc CR123A lithium-metal; 1 or 2 pc CR123A rechargeable lithium-ion OR 1 pc 16650 lithium-ion rechargeable. Standard head threads onto Z-BOLT®, Modlite, and Arisaka 18350/18650, or Surefire M600DF/M640DF light bodies. Run 1 pc 18350; 1 pc 18650; 2 pc CR123A (Dual Fuel)  Environmental Rating = IP65.
BLAZER I Order Page Here

BLAZER II, LED
Made in the USA 🇺🇸
Superior Optics, IP68
The BLAZER II includes all the light body, tailcap, and battery compatibility features as the BLAZER I.  (all battery types; all "Scout" light bodies & tailcaps) The BLAZER II LED adds an additional focusing lens and diffuser to more evenly distribute the infrared light (eliminating the BLAZER I "hotpot") Same 4° to 25° variable zoom, focus adjustable beam angle. Otherwise improved in every way! A brass threaded insert makes for buttery smooth installation on all "Scout" type light bodies. Housing ruggedized for accidental knocks & firearm recoil vibration, with IP68 environmental protection.   Improved motion ratio on adjustable focus optics.  Requires minimal 75° bezel travel when transitioning from 4° focus to 25° flood (BLAZER I = 180°, DBAL-D2 = 360°)  Throw lever available soon for BLAZER II focusing bezel "on the fly" adjustments. The BLAZER II LED & VCSEL 3B are engineered, designed, & manufactured by Americans - in America. Precision machined billet aluminum parts; anodizing & etching; mechanical & optical assembly & illuminator qualification. Kitted, marketed, and shipped from Oregon. 
BLAZER II LED Order Pages Here
BLAZER I & II IR Illuminators - ALL Here

LED vs VCSEL 3B
Beam Clarity and Battery Runtimes
This video shot with a BLAZER I LED illuminator AND Class 3B BLAZER II VCSEL, so LED brightness compares favorably to our Class 3B "restricted" variants. The LED falls short in long range throws for surveillance and targeting - also battery runtimes. This is a great example of beam clarity in VCSEL based illuminator optics. . .

BLAZER II, VCSEL
Made in the USA 🇺🇸
Class 3B, Military/LE
Restricted Sale, Full Power
LED illuminators are low-speckle, with the brightest civilian legal beam. FDA legal VCSEL illuminators, on the other hand, provide the highest level of optical beam clarity, offer better battery runtimes, and are speckle-free. Speckle-free illumination allows for sharper, clearer images, particularly when viewing or acquiring long range targets via night vision devices.The BLAZER II VCSEL 3B includes all the light body, tailcap, and battery compatibility features as the BLAZER II LED Adjustable optics, IP68, 75° bezel travel, but different light engine. The FDA requires manufacturers to “throttle” the power output of VCSEL laser chips, so as to meet the Class 3R FDA laser safety classification. BLAZER II VCSEL 3B have no such power restrictions (Class 3B, less than <500mW) and are SCREAMERS!! The 500mW BLAZER II 3B illuminators run @ 150mW ~ 400mW, the BLAZER II 3B-M @400mW.  See Military/LE link below.
BLAZER II, Restricted Class 3B, Military & LE Here