Ganp
Enlightened
This is my current project.. a long throw LED head for Surefire E series and compatible hosts, using the Carclo 2 degree collimator.
Originally I was going to use Luxeon K2's, but had to modify the collimators in order for them to fit, and to get better focus. Surprisingly this mod also improved the focus with Luxeon lll's and V's as well, projecting a better defined image of the LED, and tightening the beam.
My experiences with K2's has not been too good (probably due to my incompetence with electronics) and I prefer the results I'm getting with Lux' lll's and V's.
The first beamshot shows the slight cross shaped center spot with the standard collimator, and the second beamshot the better focused center.
The spill is very untidy but it is quite dim compared to the center, and as this head is specifically for throw this is not a priblem for ME.
These beamshots taken at 20m are all with the camera set to daylight white balance, and at the same exposure. The Wiz' regulated Lux lll is a U bin, but the other LED's are ones I got some while ago and the bin is unknown.
I very much doubt that these are as bright or smooth as a LED/Mag combo as I don't have one to compare with, but its one hell of a lot smaller
Compared to earlier ones, these collimators have a gold tint to them which slightly warms the light and improves visual contrast, especially on foliage, although I do not know the intended purpose of this tint.
If anyone was particularly fussy about the tint of their LED though, I think the tint would be a problem.
The original and tinted collimators, and the assembly of the head (minus the LED module).
This is an ongoing project for me, and I have plenty more work to do before I will consider it finished. I need a good location for some 100m+ beamshots, and I have just received the first sample headshell back from the anodisers, so hopefully I will be able to update with some more pictures soon.
And finally some random pics to add a bit of background info.
Thanks for looking.
Colin.
EDIT - ADDED BEAMSHOTS
At last I have some 100m+ beamshots - actually 160m....
All the night pics were taken at the same settings and with daylight white ballance.
Not a very dark night and unfortunately big city light pollution reared its head and introduced the arty red sky... I'll try to find a more remote location when I get the time so I willl have to make do with these for now.
Don't be deceived by the apparent size of this building.. the windows are GIGANTIC .. check out the figures in front of the building in the location shot.oo:
Colin.
Originally I was going to use Luxeon K2's, but had to modify the collimators in order for them to fit, and to get better focus. Surprisingly this mod also improved the focus with Luxeon lll's and V's as well, projecting a better defined image of the LED, and tightening the beam.
My experiences with K2's has not been too good (probably due to my incompetence with electronics) and I prefer the results I'm getting with Lux' lll's and V's.
The first beamshot shows the slight cross shaped center spot with the standard collimator, and the second beamshot the better focused center.
The spill is very untidy but it is quite dim compared to the center, and as this head is specifically for throw this is not a priblem for ME.
These beamshots taken at 20m are all with the camera set to daylight white balance, and at the same exposure. The Wiz' regulated Lux lll is a U bin, but the other LED's are ones I got some while ago and the bin is unknown.
I very much doubt that these are as bright or smooth as a LED/Mag combo as I don't have one to compare with, but its one hell of a lot smaller
Compared to earlier ones, these collimators have a gold tint to them which slightly warms the light and improves visual contrast, especially on foliage, although I do not know the intended purpose of this tint.
If anyone was particularly fussy about the tint of their LED though, I think the tint would be a problem.
The original and tinted collimators, and the assembly of the head (minus the LED module).
This is an ongoing project for me, and I have plenty more work to do before I will consider it finished. I need a good location for some 100m+ beamshots, and I have just received the first sample headshell back from the anodisers, so hopefully I will be able to update with some more pictures soon.
And finally some random pics to add a bit of background info.
Thanks for looking.
Colin.
EDIT - ADDED BEAMSHOTS
At last I have some 100m+ beamshots - actually 160m....
All the night pics were taken at the same settings and with daylight white ballance.
Not a very dark night and unfortunately big city light pollution reared its head and introduced the arty red sky... I'll try to find a more remote location when I get the time so I willl have to make do with these for now.
Don't be deceived by the apparent size of this building.. the windows are GIGANTIC .. check out the figures in front of the building in the location shot.
oo: 
Colin.
Last edited:
