Fraen "NX" Optic Replacements are AWESOME!!

Slick

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Fraen \"NX\" Optic Replacements are AWESOME!!

Since I've first tested the Luxeon collimator offerings from Fraen, I've been a big fan. Their products are simply a cut above everything else I've ever tested..

Well, the rumored Fraen "NX05" replacement does exist! And it ROCKS! My only gripe about Fraens I've tested in the past is that they're too big to fit into AA lights like the NX01's & 5's do.. Anyways, if I seem excited about this optic, it's because I AM! It doesn't look a lot different but don't let that fool ya.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif It's actually a tad bit shorter from the "mounting rim" forwards. This can be a crucial measurement where bezels need to thread down as far as possible to stuff that doggone converter in there /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

fraen4.jpg


There's even a rim to permit retro-fitting into existing LS/o holders. The lens material is very clear, whereas the last batch of NX01's I got were a bit more "milky" by comparison. These are every bit (maybe even more so) as clear as Lumileds optics supplied in their LS/o's..

So how does it perform??? Well that's why I like this thing SO much! I absolutely detest the NX05 optic for most applications and tend to favor the NX01 as a substitute.. Well, I just found a replacement that works even better than the 01 does..

The following beam shotz were done using my red/orange Lambertian bench test rig. I chose it because the red/orange is notorius for beam artifacts and other defects.. A white Luxeon's phosphor will smooth out a beam too much for a photo to capture any difference.. Check em' out->

fraen5.jpg

Sorry the beamshotz are "backwards" from the photo "line-up".. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twak.gif

The 05 has a HUGE amount of wasted corona light that is too dim and uneven to be usefull. The 01 is a bit better at "tightening" the beam, but exibits horrible rings and artifacts (that you can't see in these photos). By contrast, the Fraen has the least corona spill (less waste) and accurately focuses almost all of the light into a narrow pattern. Beam artifacts & defects are greatly reduced with all of the light landing in such a tight area.

Suffice to say, I won't be buying anymore NX01 or NX05 type optics! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I rate these optics as superior to anything else of this size. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 

hotbeam

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Re: Fraen

Very nice Slick!! I need to investigate this further. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

*** EDIT. I'm with you Slick, where to get the Fraens?
 

Rothrandir

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Re: Fraen

awesome!

will they be offered in different flavors also?
 

Kiessling

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Re: Fraen

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Roth

the LedLenser V6 uses a small Fraen optic and has a great beam clearly superior to the NX05 lights ...
(that is not a statement about superiority of LedLensers though ... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )
bernhard
 

StoneDog

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Re: Fraen

Very nice - just what my BB500 has been needing. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Will these be commonly available to the enthusiast market?

Jon
 

Imworking

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Re: Fraen

Since Slick is holding out on his source (no offense intended), I picked up an email address from Fraen's website where availability information might be obtained.

North America: Scott Grzenda, Sales Manager, Tel: 781-205-5349
[email protected]
 

IsaacHayes

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Re: Fraen

Hopefully Wayne at ElektroLumens will be carring these. I know he has samples.
 

Slick

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Re: Fraen

[ QUOTE ]
Imworking said:
Since Slick is holding out on his source (no offense intended), I picked up an email address from Fraen's website where availability information might be obtained.

North America: Scott Grzenda, Sales Manager, Tel: 781-205-5349
[email protected]

[/ QUOTE ]
No offense taken but, NO.. I'm not holding out or ignoring questions - I just don't have all the answers yet. The optics should be going into full production in 3 to 4 weeks and will be available directly from Fraen.

Please don't everyone email Scott... Scott Grzenda trys to answer as many inquiries as possible, but he tends to get overwhelmed by contacts and this makes it difficult for him to get back to all of us - this is why I have to wait at times too. He's the only rep for North America, and this is a European company so please try and exercise some understanding for the flood of inquires he has to deal with. I have been in contact with Scott more than once at times when most people are with their families or asleep - this means I know he works god-awfull long hours to keep up, so he's certainly not intentionally ignoring anyone..

I think that we should be happy that a company like Fraen (whose primary focus is to supply "industry level" optics for automakers and such) takes the time to listen to what smaller users of their products want.. I find this very commendable since few large companies do this. Let's not make it painful for them to tailor products for us by all going off and flooding them with the same questions from different sources.

Part of the purpose of evaluations (like I am posting here) is to help spread the news of products that may be of interest and minimize the effort it takes the company to support and sell such smaller purchasers these specialized items. As such, I 'm posting this tread as a means to create a centralized resource for information on these new optics - and I will add new information as things develop.

I apoligize for posting this review a bit "premature" (before I had all the info). I was just happy with the results of this SAMPLE and wanted to share them.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twak.gif" alt="" /> I broke news of this optic long ago and am very pleased that Fraen has chosen to move it towards production.
 

Otokoyama

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Re: Fraen

This appears to be a great improvement. I can't quite tell. Is there a rim that rests against the body of the emitter?
 

Slick

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Re: Fraen

This NX replacement lens is a pre-production sample but you can order other Fraen optics from:

Future Electronics ->

Phone - 1-888-LUXEON2
email - [email protected]

-> as a "sneakpeek" I will be building a 15W triple using another Fraen SAMPLE "trilens" optic! I certainly won't be the first to mod using this new tri-lens, but I've been wanting to think things though before and try something more exciting than my usual mod /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Otokoyama- ther's not really a rim per se, but it will rest over the emitter just like a NX05 or 01 does.. The only real differnce externally is the optic has no material forwards of the rim that fits into the stock LS/o holder. This is why the lens is shorter overall.
 

Imworking

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Re: Fraen

Slick,

If you carry these for resale, put me down for at least 5. I'm going the replace all the optics in my lights that use NX 5's. Really there was no offense intended. I, like most of the CPF members hate seeing things we can't have. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 

Slick

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Re: Fraen

[ QUOTE ]
Imworking said:
Slick,

If you carry these for resale, put me down for at least 5. I'm going the replace all the optics in my lights that use NX 5's. Really there was no offense intended. I, like most of the CPF members hate seeing things we can't have. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I know exactly what you mean, and honestly - I'm not trying "torture" anyone by posting a thread like this.. It's not like a I have a carton of them to start building with either.

In a sense, I think "wanting" is sometimes as much fun as the actual "having" of any un-obtainable item.. I think anticipation is a major driver of our enthusiasm for this hobby.

One other thing.. You mentioned your desire to retrofit many of your lights with this optic. That brings up a point worth mentioning. While this optic is the same diameter, it is a little shorter in height. You can see it in the first photo I posted.

Measurements are:

NX05&01 - .45 inches high
Fraen - .42 inches high


This could be an important measurement if you can't "shorten" the cavity that currently houses your NX optic. I just mention this because I'd hate for someone to buy someting thinking it might fit and have it not work out.. However, some lights use O-rings, so that will make it easier.
 

tvodrd

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Re: Fraen

Slick, you are Awsome! (Not to mention, the Fraen will make for a 1/32" shorter flashlight with a tighter beam!) Can't wait to get my hands on a few of them!

Larry
 

Rothrandir

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Re: Fraen

larry, when has optic size ever stopped you? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 

tvodrd

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Re: Fraen

Roth,

You can turn the "mounting crap" off of most optics without any major decrease in the "lumens out." "Sufficiently-advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"- Arthur C. Clarke. Optic design is major time on major computers! We can wish/hope, and "whittle" on our lathes in the hope of a "magic" solution. From the beam shots, Slick seems to have identified one. Damn, I am looking forward to getting my hands on a few, turning them down to CR2 diameter, and seeing what happens. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Larry!
 

shankus

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Re: Fraen

Slick, those beamshots are most impressive.
Have you tested one of these in a flashlight, or just on the test rig?
I am wondering if there is any useable spill/corona with this colimator at all. I ask because I find some spill helpful for my peripheral vision, perhaps even necessary. If a beam is too tight, with no spill, it would be like looking at the world through a "toliet* paper tube".

I am interested in at least one, and If it works as well as I think it may, I would want three.
How do you think the price will compare to the NX05?

* toliet© appears courtesy of The LED Museum
 

r2

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Re: Fraen

Can you test this with a 5W emitter? Most people don't like the NX05 with the 5W because of it's larger emitter size (the actual die, not the package). Can you test the Fraen optic with a 5W and see how it does?

Thanks,

Russ
 

Slick

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Re: Fraen

I plan to conduct tests with the 5W and some different white Luxeons.. So far I have just tested this optic on my red/orange bench test rig - because red/orange yeilded the best photos that showed the difference in beams.

On the red/orange there was very little side-spill, however it's not nearly as tight as the 30mm optic. The lens data sheet states the the lens will perform differently depending on if it's on a white, cyan/blue/royal, or "red family" luxeon. I will post more info and photos as I complete tests. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

So far I have no pricing info. Depending on costs and minumum order, I plan to stock up for my mods and sell off the rest. I tend to favor selling cheap, but with minumum qty's.. I'm sure others will stock and sell this optic too.
 
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