POLL: what color temperature LEDs should I offer? (kinda urgent)

[archer6817j]

I'm running low on LEDs and need to order a batch. I'm trying to simplify my life/ordering/purchasing/assembly and would love some feedback.

Ideally I'd like to offer two main choices so please keep that in mind. I can't offer every choice because, from a purchasing standpoint, that is massively expensive.

I have been offering 5700K LEDs because I think it's a good balance between color and power. In general, my goal with the Alpha is to make the most "balanced" flashlight, not the brightest, smallest, biggest, or any number of other "est" words. In the past I thought if I only offered one LED, this would be the one. For me 6500K is way to harsh...but some people love it.

However, the more I use flashlights the more I like neutral. I have some 5000K XML which are beautiful. I also have some 4000K MCEs and love those too. I do have a couple of other 4500K lights from other makers...and dang it, I like those as well!

So now I'm really confused. Basically I want to offer the "right" selection and I know a lot of people go with 6500K cool and 4500K neutral. Should I just stick with convention and offer these?

Your votes please! Also, time is of the essence as I need to order more LED's really soon so fire away!

[Henk_Lu]

I preffer warmer tints, but they should stay within normal limits, I consider 3000K to be too warm...

Some people like it cool as well, but I wonder why some want even 8000K or something like that. Yeah, the cooler, the more power, but a moder emitter has so much power, that you may treat a little of it for a more pleasant tint.

I guess my favorite is 4500K, the 5000K is nice as well. As for the 4000K, well, sometimes I want to have it really warm I guess!

[Max_Power]

I like neutral tint the best, 4500K seems to be around the sweet spot. The brightness of modern emitters is such that a few percent less brightness is a worthwhile tradeoff for better tint and (hopefully) color rendering.

[Diablo_331]

My personal preference is 3700k - 4000k. The 3700k m61w and 4000k Rebel hi cri in my sc61c are my favorites.

[dy5]

I also like the neutral range best. The 4000K MCE in my Alpha is wonderful, but wouldn't want to go any warmer. Maximum beam quality, including tint and color rendering, is much more important for me than maximum brightness.

[andrewnewman]

I would say that around 4500 would be about perfect for a small personal light. My dream DarkSucks light would be a nickel plated single RCR123a light with a 1.4A driver and a 4500K XP-G LED. Ideally this light would have a 3 stage driver with no memory that came on at low (5/30/100%) by default.

[Ginseng]

I voted 5000 and 4500. To my 40-year old eyes, these interact best with my environment...meaning mostly in house or in the lab. Good color fidelity, non-fatiguing, good output.

Wilkey

[Jrubin]

I throw in for 5000k as my personal sweet spot. But 4500k tp 5500k is a good range

[ffemt6263]

My vote would be 4-5000. I really dont like any of my lights any cooler than my 5000 neutrals. I think a hicri offering would be a good choice as well. Maybe for your ease of ordering and such go with cool, neutral, and hi cri options.

[archer6817j]

Maybe for your ease of ordering and such go with cool, neutral, and hi cri options.

That's pretty much the plan, although I wish they made an XML or MCE in high cri. In order to offer the XPG I have to carry a separate driver (which is what I'm doing now) and it's a hassle for installation.

Please keep the votes coming! I'd like to hit at least 50 responses before I drop a big wad of cash on LEDs this week Having some good feedback will ease my anxiety a little bit!

[ffemt6263]

I certainly understand the problem of carrying the 2 drivers but thats also a great choice to have. I often find myself carrying an xml and xpg because of the large perceived difference between flood and throw of the two (at least to my eye, im not getting scientific here, not smart enough for that haha). But then again i guess this just added to your problem because this is what your trying not to do! Sorry

[archer6817j]

Thanks for all the votes so far! I'm going to be placing an order by wednesday so vote now or forever hold your peace I suppose another question would be...does anyone think I should offer the LED's I have for sale on my site?

[AZPops]

So are you going to order the XP-G R5 (cool tint)?

[CarpentryHero]

Offer to sell bare emitters? That'd be pretty awesome.

Any thoughts on making a keychain aaa light? I saw a thread in the led flashlight area about a 5000k 90cri nichia led put in a Fenix E01.
Not an easy mod, but if u made your own host and built em yourself that'd be cool

[neutralwhite]

would love a darksucks AAA ready made or label.
wow!.

Offer to sell bare emitters? That'd be pretty awesome.

Any thoughts on making a keychain aaa light? I saw a thread in the led flashlight area about a 5000k 90cri nichia led put in a Fenix E01.
Not an easy mod, but if u made your own host and built em yourself that'd be cool