Best IR options?

[Peepsalot]

I'm interested in playing around a bit with infrared. I was wondering where I could get a nice powerful emitter, without paying too much. I have seen some IR lights for sale but many seem overpriced to me. I don't care if the LED is not housed in a some fancy machined, anodized casing designed that can withstand a nuclear blast. I just want something that will throw a strong IR beam. I don't mind modifying a regular light to take IR led if that is a more cost effective route. Are there any DIY combos that work well?

 

[Scattergun]

I´d say any high-power incand with an IR-filter is cheaper than a LED-solution and throws further. But thats maybe not what you want since you are in the LED-forum?