Designing a focusable LED dive light.

[whitenoise]

Heh, I had actually thought the same thing after I had posted it 🙂 Ah well it killed a few minutes whilst waiting for the end of work 😉 Tests were interesting though.

 

[lucca brassi]

Interesting thing it is burn-out graph , special electronic controlled lamps.

Some old tests are also here for comparison :

http://www.diveinside.de/DiveInside_Tauchzeug_2009_web_18.pdf

http://www.diveinside.de/DiveInside_Tauchlampen_web_12.pdf

 

[Goldigger]

Here is a beam shot for compare the spot (8°) and the flood with 36°.
Both beams are have not any spill.

Michael

I stumbled accross a video over on yorkshire divers of the X1-VB in action..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVjwJAbtMfs&feature=player_embedded

 

[350xfire]

Pack:
Don't know if you've seen this:
http://flashlightnews.org/story2794.shtml

 

[Goldigger]

Data sheet is up already
http://www.fraensrl.com/images/FXGR-N1-W1-XR79-0R-datasheet-Rev00.pdf

All they need to do now is one for the mce etc..

 

[DaYerk]

Hm, 13mm of travel to focus/unfocus? - Anyway, compared to the beamshots from Packhorse or mbsub I would prefere a lens solution.

Since the eye adapts to the peak brightness, an evenly spread beam is more efficient.

(my .02Euro)

 

[Goldigger]

I was reading over on the DIR forum, it would seem the the dir crowd are quite against the idea of a focusable light and different levels of brightness.
The reason being they believe in keeping it simple, simple as just on and off.
http://www.direxplorers.com/specialist-dir-kit/8884-new-benchmark-led-lights-dir.html

Im just trying to get all my kit up to par so i can take the advanced nitrox + deco procedures (TDI) or recreational trimix (IANTD) course. I've been advised not to get a canister light with lots of gadgets.

I must admit i doubt that i would ever use a focusable light in any other part of its focus than its tight 8 degree beam, reason being the conditions that it will be dived in.
But for tthoss of you who dive clearer waters this would be a nice function..

 

[lucca brassi]

I was reading over on the DIR forum, it would seem the the dir crowd are quite against the idea of a focusable light and different levels of brightness.

You all read only on half - what about ATON light or DDL ?
IT MUST BE FOCUSABLE!

DIR idea it is LIGHT , TOUGH , SIMPLE (construction) LIGHT and most important- but it is not written but you get this thinking on course - lamp (and whole rig) it is like uniform all member of group has the same ( even the same producer ) which vary on local (HALCYON in USA and GB, AGIR on nord countries ,GDS, DDL in German , France and Benelux (but they are small ),....

 

[Goldigger]

You all read only on half - what about ATON light or DDL ?
IT MUST BE FOCUSABLE!

???????????😕

Im taking Howard Paynes comments into consideration when i say DIR dont wont all the gizmos of a focusable light. They want a fixed pencil beam rather like what a hid provides...

 

[Packhorse]

Dont get hung up one what one or two DIR divers say they want in a light. It does not mean all DIR divers want or should have it like that nor does it mean you should either.

I read that thread and found most of it bollocks.
Magnetic switches are very reliable when designed correctly . Much more so than a switch in a condom and in some set ups could add redundancy
Multiple power levels with LEDs are also very reliable and no less so than a single power level. Although I would add that 2 power levels are all you need and any more levels or modes just add unnecessary complexity. In saying that I do use 3 level drivers but only because the driver does evey thing else I want.

 

[Packhorse]

Pack:
Don't know if you've seen this:
http://flashlightnews.org/story2794.shtml

Thanks 350. But I believe aspherics are the way to go.

 

[Goldigger]

Dont get hung up one what one or two DIR divers say they want in a light. It does not mean all DIR divers want or should have it like that nor does it mean you should either.

I read that thread and found most of it bollocks.
Magnetic switches are very reliable when designed correctly . Much more so than a switch in a condom and in some set ups could add redundancy
Multiple power levels with LEDs are also very reliable and no less so than a single power level. Although I would add that 2 power levels are all you need and any more levels or modes just add unnecessary complexity. In saying that I do use 3 level drivers but only because the driver does evey thing else I want.

Dont get me wrong i dont give a toss what anybody says about what should and shouldn't be part of a lights functions.
I'm the one spending my cash so it needs to meet what I think makes it a good light.
I can see the DIR point of view but being that I'm not DIR it doesn't apply to me. Im tempted by the MB-SUBS VB-50 head but in all honesty i doubt i will use the focusable system other than being on a tight spot.
This is due to the low visibility that i dive in the UK, different power levels are a must as there are times during a dive when 1250 lumens may be to much for the current conditions.
🙂

 

[Packhorse]

The DIR/GUE/UTD system have some very good ideas many of which I use in my diving. Not because they are DIR but because they are good ideas which is why DIR use them in the first place.

I am unaware if there is a DIR requirement for a single mode light. I doubt it. I think its probably more of some DIR divers deciding that less is more and less features mean a more reliable light.

As for the VB-50, if you dont want the adjustable focus why buy it? Its the best feature of the light and I would guess adds a lot to the cost.

 

[Goldigger]

The DIR/GUE/UTD system have some very good ideas many of which I use in my diving. Not because they are DIR but because they are good ideas which is why DIR use them in the first place.

I agree

I am unaware if there is a DIR requirement for a single mode light. I doubt it. I think its probably more of some DIR divers deciding that less is more and less features mean a more reliable light.

That is correct..

As for the VB-50, if you dont want the adjustable focus why buy it? Its the best feature of the light and I would guess adds a lot to the cost.

Because of the top picture below..

 

[Packhorse]

My point was there are a lot cheaper options to get the same result.

SST90 dedomed behind 44mm aspheric in a mag.

F2.8 1/60

2 meters from cupboard 200mm wide and 500mm wide. Focus adjusted before light head assembly.

 

[Goldigger]

Your right there are cheaper options, I dont disagree..
Its just if you have the time and the correct tools for the job.

When do we get to see the underwater shots of the SST-90 mag?
Hopefully a video...

 

[Packhorse]

I hope to have it completed by the next time I dive. I am leaning towards having it set up so I can open it up and change the focus. Either tight for a diving light or wide for a video light.

 

[DaYerk]

Nice beamshots. How does dedoming modify the beam?

 

[Packhorse]

The beam is tighter and more intense but not quite as clean. As you can see by the 1st pic there are a few artefacts out side the main beam. These would not be noticeable underwater at all. But it also means that the 12 lines you would normally see with a SST90 are not present which is great.
At the other end of the scale you can have the LED closer to the aspheric since there is no dome in the way. This results in a wider angle beam which is better for wide angle video.

The down side of de-doming is,,,, yet to be determined.

 

[Goldigger]

heres some video's of the new fraen FXGR focusable lens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vbX1lc1LWI&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHNSH1zvssk&feature=player_embedded