All new flashlights seem to be using Crees instead of SSC, What’s UP?

[hiuintahs]

OK guys I've been away from lights for awhile since modifying some with SSC P4. How come I don't see any Seoul Semiconductor P4's being used in new lights these days?

I would have thought that after the craze of swapping out Luxeon LEDs for SSC's that the manufacturers would all be using the SSC's by now. But my research shows that almost all new lights have Cree's in them.

So somewhere I must have missed what happened.

I went ahead and downloaded the data sheets for the Cree XR-E, XP-E, and XP-G (those were the higher power LEDs). One thing I've noticed is that the highest brightness bin on the XR-E Q5 has a wide color range from 5,000K to 10000K.

This explains why my latest flashlight with the XR-E Q5 seems a little bluer than the SSC P4's with either the SVO (5350K) or SWO (6050K) Seoul LED's that I've used in the past.

Now I have to admit that my favorite color for an LED is definitely at or below 6000K. My personal favorite must be around 5000K.


The XP-E data sheet shows a little more breakdown in color bins such that they offer an "Outdoor White" that is between 4000K and 5300K that is a little more to my liking.

The XP-G looks to be the most efficient led with the most lumens per 350mA, however they offer a color range from 5000K to 8300K, so there may not be any guarantees of what color you get unless you know the complete part number.

 

[sol-leks]

Well I think you answered your own question. Despite greater variations in color, manufacturers are using cree's right now because they are by and large, the most efficient LED's currently available and provide great brightness and runtime. If you are worried about tint, just make sure to buy from a reputable manufacturer and reseller to guarantee that you receive a quality product and the possibility of a refund if you are unhappy.

As a sidenote, I recently got an illuminati which utilizes the xp-g, and it is a great light with a great tint.

 

[hiuintahs]

Ya I kind of gathered that they were probably a little more efficient. I was just a little disappointed that the color bins were all over the map.

I suppose it costs more to re-finely screen them. Light manufacturers looking to keep the price down probably figure most people will accept whatever tint they have in the light.

And to think that I have to explain to my wife and buddies that there is a real science to flashlights.

 

[sol-leks]

I've heard pretty promising things about other ppls xpgs as well. They have a much floodier beam profile in general than older leds which people either love or hate, and when the tint is off it is usually a slightly greenish color, which some people actually don't mind. I've heard it is fairly warm and pretty well suited for outdoor use. Sounds better than blue to me at any rate.

 

[HKJ]

Ya I kind of gathered that they were probably a little more efficient. I was just a little disappointed that the color bins were all over the map.

The color bins are mostly up to the flashlight producer, they can be ordered in very specific colors or a broad color range. If you look at a manufacturer like Dereelight, they allows you to select between different bins, i.e. you can get a very specific color of the light.

 

[Marduke]

Don't have to purchase entire temp ranges. You can purchase specific color bins, like with any manufacturer.

On average, SSC-P4's do tend to be cooler though.

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

About the only time you'll see an SSC in place of a Cree is when you're looking for just the right tint or beam pattern, or you're looking for better color rendition.

 

[hiuintahs]

About the only time you'll see an SSC in place of a Cree is when you're looking for just the right tint or beam pattern, or you're looking for better color rendition.

Is there specific beam patterns that one LED has over the other?.....or is that more a function of placement of the LED with the type of reflector?

 

[brianch]

I'd like to know why reliable manufacturers don't try out some P7 lights. Most high end lights use the MC-E, and I can't help but want a P7 light in the same form sometimes. :shrug:

 

[orbital]

+

Just look at the XP-Gs' as the next gen. SSCs'
They behave very similarly.

Wait a little while for the reflectors to be fine tuned for XP-Gs',
and the warmer bins to be released,..

 

[gravityz]

i recently bought a ssc-p7 because it is uses less current than the mc-e type and stilll is brighter