Nitro
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,347
This discussion reminds me of another one that took place over 30 years ago, when Transistors became popular. A lot of people thought they would replace Vacuum Tubes. Well they did in a lot of electronics. They also made small electronics possible, i.e. "Transistor Radios". However, there's one place Transistors have not replaced Vacuum Tubes, and that's in HIGH POWER applications. Transistors cannot handle the power like Vacuum Tubes. That's why Vacuum Tubes are still used in the late stages of High End amplifiers (Concerts, Broadcast Stations, etc).
LED's are just like Transistors (Actually they're the same, Solid State Semi-conductors). They will (already have) taken over Small, Low Power applications, but it will be a long time, if ever, before they can compete with Incans, or ARC's in High Power applications. LED's are more efficient at lower power, but Incans and Arc's are more efficient at higher power. Actually Arc's are more efficient then incans, but I don't see them taking over anytime soon, because of other issues.
So if you want the best of all worlds, do what I'm doing. Get small LED's (Fenix P1D, HDS120 etc) for EDC, get a mid size that can still be carried in you pocket for throw (SL TL-3), get a bigger one (ROP or MAG85) for going on hikes at night, get a 100W MAG to impress your friends and then get a 50W HID to impress your town.
LED's are just like Transistors (Actually they're the same, Solid State Semi-conductors). They will (already have) taken over Small, Low Power applications, but it will be a long time, if ever, before they can compete with Incans, or ARC's in High Power applications. LED's are more efficient at lower power, but Incans and Arc's are more efficient at higher power. Actually Arc's are more efficient then incans, but I don't see them taking over anytime soon, because of other issues.
So if you want the best of all worlds, do what I'm doing. Get small LED's (Fenix P1D, HDS120 etc) for EDC, get a mid size that can still be carried in you pocket for throw (SL TL-3), get a bigger one (ROP or MAG85) for going on hikes at night, get a 100W MAG to impress your friends and then get a 50W HID to impress your town.