The photo on the right shows the Super-Flex burner cords, compared to one of the competitor's cord. The cord on the far left is an actual Detail Master pen cord (Nibs, Navesink and others also use this type of cord). It is an 18 gauge cord, and is the same type that is used on most 110 volt A/C power cords (18 AWG, SPT-1).

The cord in the middle is the 18 gauge Super-flex cord, which is custom made for the Optima 1 System. Notice that it is about two third's the diameter of the left cord. The cord on the far right is the 16 gauge Heavy Duty Super-Flex cord which is also custom made. Notice that it is about the same diameter as their 18 gauge cord, but with more current carrying capacity.

How can the wire in the Super-flex cord be the same size as in theirs, and yet be smaller? Because a burning pen uses very low voltage, but high amperage, so there is no need for a heavy insulation jacket around the wire. The thin wall insulation wire is not only lighter, it is also more flexible because of type of materials used and the type of wire itself (there are different grades of wire, A/C power cord wire being one of the lowest and cheapest).

Recently (April 2002), the wire in both the 18 and 16 gauge Optima 1 cords changed. New technologies in manufacturing wire has made it possible to make wire even more flexible than before! The Optima 1 System is taking advantage of this new technology, allowing the cords you purchase to be thinner and more flexible, while retaining it high current carrying capability. And, of course, the Optima 1 cords are still of the high quality that you have come to expect in all components of the Optima 1 System!