Comparison of L2D-CE Generations!

[evilr00t]

First part of post. Second part is a complaint/question.

I got my new L2D-CE Q5 today!

(Color temperature determined from BEIGE wall. Results skewed "cool".)

Ancient L2D-CE
Failed in service when it could only output only 'medium'.
Light engine: 4600K pinkish blue LED, smooth reflector
Body: Knurled lightly on body and small part of tailcap. Smooth rubber switch.

Old L2D-CE
Light engine: 4600K pinkish LED, textured reflector
Body: Knurled lightly on head, body and small part of tailcap. Textured rubber switch.

New L2D-CE Q5
FLASH OF TURBO WHEN TURNING ON IS GONE!!! (used to be a pet peeve!)
Light engine: 4800K greenish LED, ultra textured reflector. Issue with blue glass?
Body: Knurled strongly on head, body and large part of tailcap. Textured rubber switch.


Measurements of interest: (I used linear-mapped image from camera)
This compares the old and new L2D-CE. Ancient one was returned long ago.
Intensity

New ultra-textured reflector sacrifices spot intensity for spill intensity.

Radius of ___ intensity or higher (porportional to square root of the area of equal or higher intensity)

The radius of half hotspot intensity (or brighter) was 426 pixels from the hotspot on the Q5.
The new reflector spreads the light more evenly than the old reflector, which had a tendency to have light fall-off near the edges.

 

[DArklite]

Sorry to hear that, but I've never thought of ANY Cree as being "ancient".
I've got an L2D Luxeon Rebel (80) version and love it.
Lighthound still stocks them too :thumbsup:
That said, my L0D also has a Rebel 80 (from EliteLED). Nice smooth beam patterns, too.

 

[evilr00t]

Haha. Ancient is relative:nana:. I really liked the first L2D-CE, its throw is the best of the lot; it was also my first REAL LED flashlight.

Before the L2D-CE, I had my homebrew Altoids-tin "Resistor-regulated" R-bin LuxI-Optic. It must be prehistoric, then! 30 lumens was a lot back then! (I ran mine around 250mA since I couldn't trust the batteries not to cook the LED!)

 

[Gator762]

I also had one of the first L1D/L2D CE lights. The emitter was physically much larger than the Q5, and output paled in comparison. I upgraded it to an R2 emitter, and also put a textured reflector. I do lose some throw, but for my general usage I like the beam much better.

I am still waiting for my semi-thrower light.

 

[cave dave]

I also had one of the first L1D/L2D CE lights. The emitter was physically much larger than the Q5, and output paled in comparison. I upgraded it to an R2 emitter, and also put a textured reflector. I do lose some throw, but for my general usage I like the beam much better.

:thinking: The CE stands for Cree edition, all the "D" (aka Digital) had a Cree or the tiny Rebel.

You must be thinking of the L2T which used a Luxeon. The Luxeon is not any bigger although it is dimmer. I remember all this because its only been two years.

 

[Marduke]

I also had one of the first L1D/L2D CE lights. The emitter was physically much larger than the Q5, and output paled in comparison. I upgraded it to an R2 emitter, and also put a textured reflector. I do lose some throw, but for my general usage I like the beam much better.

I am still waiting for my semi-thrower light.

I think you're confusing the yellow core Cree's and silver core, thinking they were physically different (they are not)

 

[Gator762]

You guys are right... The yellow base really plays tricks on your eyes since the LED itself is yellow. Physically the LED looks the same size.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

My setup is the combo pack with L1 and P2 bodies and a Premium Q5 head.

The only thing better than this light as a L1 is as a P2 because the CR123 cell is more powerful!

Tint of mine is SLIGHTLY blue, but not enough to ding it too bad.

I have an older Luxeon P1 and the difference in output is STAGGERING!