Modernflame
Flashlight Enthusiast
I don't see any incandescent flashlights in these photos, Byk. Kinda disappointed.
I agree that the 4500K 219B remains the gold standard for high CRI, with its lovely rosy tint.The 219b is really something special. It really does reproduce colors in a peculiar way that is more like sunshine than anything else.
I have a light with a 5000k NW XPL and x4 5000k 219c and compared to the 219b they both had this almost exaggerated presentation of the red specrum because it can't properly represent the higher end of red's wavenlengths (going into orange).
The 219b is the most surreal and sublime LED out there.
I agree that the 4500K 219B remains the gold standard for high CRI, with its lovely rosy tint.
I find a higher CRI helps me process visual information faster and that's important to me when using a light for bicycling where you are moving fast and need to distinguish surface conditions and identify debris and other dangers as quickly and accurately as possible. Color is information.
I think some people are more color-oriented than others, which might explain why some folks insist on high CRI and others think it doesn't matter.
I feel exactly the same way. 80 CRI neutral white is good enough for almost everything. I only use high-CRI when I'm doing something that absolutely requires the best possible color definition (like hobby painting).I find the 80 CRI Cree emitters fine for cycling at night. I use a Zebralight SC600w MkIV Plus, which is a 4500K 80 CRI Cree XHP50.2 emitter. The greater efficiency is important to me, as this will run at 700 (regulated) lumens for about 3 hours. A high CRI Nichia 219 emitter light would require me to change batteries part way though a ride, which is annoying. Or use less lumens, which doesn't provide enough light for me, at least on gravel roads and paths.
I do insist on a decent CRI, because yes it is important. I won't use low CRI cool white LEDs, because they don't have enough colour rendition to pick out rocks or debris that is a similar colour to the road. That's a problem with the CCT as much as the CRI, but I digress. 80 CRI neutral white is good enough for me.
I really only insist on high CRI for things that require accurate colour rendition, such as looking at skin or the colours of electrical wires. That only requires a modest output of maybe a hundred lumens. I do have a high CRI Nichia 219 light that puts out about 2000 lumens, but it gets so bloody hot so quickly it's really useless at that level.