Frequently Asked Questions

What is VEXOR's Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating?

VEXOR's SHU rating is 15 million.

The VEXOR technology process pharmaceutically removes inactive oleoresin ingredients that have no effectiveness in OC weapons and no benefit to the law enforcement community in controlling unruly subjects. This process leaves only pure capsaicinoids, making VEXOR the hottest pepper spray available today. Therefore, VEXOR's OC concentration is 0%.

VEXOR contains 1.45% pure and natural capsaicinoids derived from chili peppers.

Capsaicinoids are the only ingredients in OC or chili peppers that cause a burning sensation and inflammation of mucous membranes.

While other pepper sprays use OC with a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating ranging between 500,000 and two million, VEXOR — with a pure capsaicinoid concentration of 1.45% — has a high-performance 15 million SHU. Although no weapon or product can claim 100% effectiveness, this new fast-acting formula produces more consistent results far beyond the performance of current pepper sprays.

Pepper sprays with low capsaicinoid levels (for example, 0.18%) are not fast acting and often require time to take effect. Furthermore, pepper sprays with capsaicinoid levels up to 0.80% have been shown to produce inconsistent results and are often not effective on all subjects profile.

VEXOR's new formula contains an appropriate measure of capsaicinoids intended to produce quicker, more consistent results than other OC products.

VEXOR's new patented formulation is non-hazardous and environmentally safe. It has undergone toxicological safety testing and has been found to be non-hazardous to skin, eyes and inhalation.

VEXOR's carrier is made of cosmetic-grade esters and glycerol, widely used in the cosmetic and food industries.

The propellant is beverage-grade carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Although the subject may experience more pain and temporary discomfort, the decontamination time is similar to other pepper sprays.

Yes. Throughout the years various non-flammable OC formulations have been developed. The challenge for ZARC, however, was not simply to develop a non-flammable product but to find a formulation that is environmentally safe, non-carcinogenic (not cancer-causing) and safe on the eyes. Additionally, it should be safe in any environment when ignition or sparks are present -- including the use of electronic immobilization devices (EIDs).

VEXOR's formulation is non-flammable with a flashpoint (closed cup) of 400º F (205º C). This is far beyond any pepper spray solvent currently in use. For example, the carrier 2-(2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol used in many non-flammable brands, has a flashpoint of 214º F. (This means that, at 214º F, the carrier will ignite).

Some non-flammable water-based OC brands contain — in addition to water — 30% to 50% alcohol, which may cause ignition.

Yes. And that's why VEXOR's formulation is designed to withstand extreme cold. You can operate VEXOR with confidence in sub-zero temperatures - down to -40º F (-40º C).

Yes. And that's why VEXOR's formulation is designed to withstand extremely hot climates. You can operate VEXOR with confidence even in the hottest desert conditions. The maximum operating temperature is +150º F (+65º C).

Neither. VEXOR has a new patented spray pattern called MicroSpin®.

There are a variety of spray patterns used in OC sprays, such as fog, cone, stream and foam. They each have their benefits and drawbacks. For example, it is not advisable to use a cone spray indoors since the spray may contaminate bystanders in the area. Fog behaves similarly to cone but with a wider impact area. Stream products are hard to aim and they require repeated spraying in order to cover the target area (both eyes). Foam products, on the other hand, are messy and contaminate the area. Most patterns do not penetrate wind and can be blown back to the user's face.

ZARC's patented new MicroSpin pattern provides the benefits of most existing spray patterns while eliminating their drawbacks. MicroSpin has a rifling effect. It accurately launches a rotating pepper-spray payload that expands to form an oval on impact, covering the entire face of the subject with one shot. It can be used both indoors and outdoors. It enables the payload to pierce wind and rain without any blowback.

Unlike stream patterns, MicroSpin spray technology causes no needle-like sharp impact on the eyes. This patented pattern expands to an oval shape on impact with the face.

Yes, it can. Due to various spray patterns and misting, some sprays cannot be used indoors. VEXOR is developed for both indoor and outdoor use.

Additionally, Vexor delivers the full dose to the target ensuring a more rapid and consistent reaction. This unique feature is achieved because the vapor pressure of VEXOR's solvent is much lower than other solvents (0.0075 compared to water's vapor pressure, which is 18.96). In other words, the lower the pressure, the longer it takes to evaporate. To place this into perspective, VEXOR's solvent is 2,528 times slower in evaporation than water.

VEXOR Model V7 is designed not to interfere with breathing.

The combination of VEXOR's MicroSpin spray pattern and the weight of the formulation while airborne produces a stable payload that penetrates the wind and reaches the target.

The carrier used in VEXOR has a molecular weight that is drastically heavier than any other formulation in existence. For example, water's molecular weight is 18.02 compared to VEXOR's, which is 470.00. VEXOR's solvent is therefore 26 times heavier than water, virtually eliminating blowbacks.

Yes.

VEXOR provides three types of safety locks:

1. Tamper-Resistant Tab: This is located on the top/back side of the actuator. The word REMOVE is imprinted on it. If this tab is not removed, the canister will not spray. It is used for long-term storage and ensuring that the product has never been tampered with or sprayed before.



2. Auto-Lock: The system automatically locks the moment you let go of the actuator buttons. Auto-lock prevents any possibility of accidental discharge. Additionally, if the canister falls out of your hands and is picked up by the subject, by the time the untrained user figures out how to operate the canister, you have gained the time to escalate to another level of force.
   
   
3. Manual Safety Lock: Just like your sidearm, the auto-lock can be placed in manual override. In this way the option of lock and unlock is at your disposal.

Please visit www.zarc.com and click on VEXOR. You will find the instructions you're looking for.

VEXOR is shock resistant. The actuation system is made of high-impact copolymer plastic and the canister is made of high-pressure aluminum (maximum 330 psi). The entire system is also waterproof up to 32 feet (10m).

I have been carrying my OC for a few years now, and the label has rubbed off. Have you addressed this problem?

VEXOR does not have a paper label. The information is permanently printed on the metal via a process called dry offset lithography. The label is resistant to chemicals, water and other harsh materials.

Simply shaking a canister or even weighing it is not an accurate measure. For example, you may shake the canister and hear some liquid moving around. But that could be the remaining liquefied propellant and not necessarily the carrier.

On the side of your VEXOR canister you will find a gauge. We call it the Content Level Indicator. This patented indicator will tell you how much product is left in the canister. You simply place the canister in a glass of water and gently balance it. The water line on the indicator shows you how much OC is left.

VEXOR is developed to be dependable and long lasting with a shelf life of five years.

ZARC has addressed this issue directly. During VEXOR's research and development (R&D) period, every known US and foreign holster on the market was purchased by ZARC. The goal was to find a solution allowing VEXOR to fit in as many holsters as possible. The result is a patented new adapter that allows VEXOR to be used with most available holsters on the market today. In addition, the adapter controls the canister position during draw or insertion so an officer does not have to fumble to see which way the nozzle is facing. It also protects the canister from impact. All you have to do is place the adapter in your current holster and insert the VEXOR canister.

ZARC has a complete self-study (distance-learning) package available for training and re-certification that offers the benefits of no travel costs and no time lost from work. The package includes:

• Broadcast-quality video
• Audio CD
• Easy-to-read manual
• Inert spray canisters
• Holster
• Targets
• Examination

A certification card is issued upon successful completion of the examination.