Differnt LED's degree of focus.

[X-CalBR8]

Differnt LED\'s degree of focus.

Sorry to ask a question that I'm positive has been answered somewhere else, but I searched for a long while and just couldn't seem to find it. What LED does the Photon 2 use? I know it's a Nichia 5600mcd, but I couldn't remember what was the degree of light focus. Is it 20degrees or 10degrees? The reason I ask is that I just found in my new Hosfelt catalog that they have a 5mm 5600mcd 20degree Nichia white for only $2.99, but they also have a 10mm 10degree 7000mcd (I'm assuming Nichia) for $5.99. So, which is better, and which is most efficient (as in light output per watt)? I didn't even realize they made a 7000mcd white LED. Also what is the degree of focus on the Turtlelite I? Is it 10degrees or 20? 10degrees would be tight focused like a Turtlelite, wouldn't it? Is 10degrees too tightly focused? I'm trying to get something that I'm familiar with to compare these 2 LEDs to. What do you guys think about these new 7000mcd LEDs? Are they worth paying double price for? Thanks, in advance, for any helpful info on this.

Oh Btw, this is off subject of the post, but I also noticed that Jameco has a grab-bag of 1900 Multi-Colored LEDs for only $44.95. I think these would make for some kick-but Christmas lights this Christmas. Looks like a lot of reds and greens in there.

 

[Gransee]

Re: Differnt LED\'s degree of focus.

Most LED flashlights (including the Photon) use Nichia 5600 MCD, 5mm, 20 degree whites.

I don't think the 10mm part is a Nichia one.

Peter

 

[X-CalBR8]

Re: Differnt LED\'s degree of focus.

Thanks for the info Peter. Since the 20degree LED is the one that Photon uses, at least I will know what to expect from it. So, does anyone have a clue as to who makes the 10mm 10degree 7000mcd White LED? Has nobody here ever seen or used one of these? I just hate to spend 2x as much on a LED that no one has ever heard of. Also does anyone know what degree LED the LEDCORP bulb that's used in the Turtlelite I uses? Is it a 10degree?

 

[Chris M.]

Re: Differnt LED\'s degree of focus.

I`ve got some of those 10mm LEDs. I guess they`re the 7000mcd ones you`ve seen, but I`m not entirely sure.

They`re dissapointing. OK from an LED/lighting collector`s point of view they`re interesting, but as a flashaholic, they`re just dim. They have a slightly oval shaped beam which isn`t that bad coloured- not blue, more yellowy-white if I remember rightly, with a sharper edge to it than the Nichia ones. It is wider then the Turtlelite. I don`t have a long range degrees test target but a guess says the Turtle is maybe 2-3 degrees or less? It looks like 6 or 7 degrees (half-angle, most would say 12-14) on my main target at 50cm, but the spot is barely double the size at 5 meters away, than it is shone from 50cm. Turtle-1s are very much narrower than those 10mm LEDs.

I wouldn`t reccomend them for a flashlight, they`re too big and not bright enough- plus I don`t know how well they stand up to overdriving. The larger mass of resin encapsulating the die suggests they`d be OK up to a point but I`m not sure and don`t really want to cook any finding out. I did briefly turn one up to 40mA and the improvement in light output compared to 20mA wasn`t near as noticeable as Nichia whites.

Save your money. Get the Nichia ones, you can fit more in less space and they are brighter, although admittedly the soft edged beams don`t shine too far.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

Re: Differnt LED\'s degree of focus.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by X-CalBR8:
Sorry to ask a question that I'm positive has been answered somewhere else, but I searched for a long while and just couldn't seem to find it. What LED does the Photon 2 use? I know it's a Nichia 5600mcd, but I couldn't remember what was the degree of light focus. Is it 20degrees or 10degrees? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's Nichia's NSPW500BS, a 20° white 5mm LED.


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by X-CalBR8:
The reason I ask is that I just found in my new Hosfelt catalog that they have a 5mm 5600mcd 20degree Nichia white for only $2.99, but they also have a 10mm 10degree 7000mcd (I'm assuming Nichia) for $5.99.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The 10mm is a piece of sh** (vulgar term for feces) when compared to the best stuff Nichia puts out.
Probable manufacturer Toyoda Gosei or Everlight, probable date of manufacture mid to late 1999.
I posted pictures & specs on this forum not long ago, but I have no idea which topic or where to look anymore.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by X-CalBR8:
So, which is better, and which is most efficient (as in light output per watt)? I didn't even realize they made a 7000mcd white LED.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Right now, Nichia makes the brightest & most efficient white LED in common case styles.
Higher ranking Nichia LEDs range from 7000 to 9500mcd; middle ranking are 5600mcd to 6000mcd.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by X-CalBR8:
Also what is the degree of focus on the Turtlelite I? Is it 10degrees or 20? 10degrees would be tight focused like a Turtlelite, wouldn't it?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't know... I don't have an instrument to measure beam (or any other) angles.

But I'd estimate a properly assembled Turtlelite 1 has a beam angle of 2° to 4°.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

Re: Differnt LED\'s degree of focus.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris M.:
I`ve got some of those 10mm LEDs
I don`t know how well they stand up to overdriving. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I killed one dead in just 4 days at 40mA.

 

[Chris M.]

Re: Differnt LED\'s degree of focus.

I killed one dead in just 4 days at 40mA

Ouch!! Best keep mine at 25mA or less. Or in the antistatic bag they currently live in.


Beam photos on my degrees target comparing the two as and when I can. Assuming I can get my ISP`s free webspace to work to post them up here......

 

[X-CalBR8]

Re: Differnt LED\'s degree of focus.

Thanks to all for the helpful info. Now maybe I can make a much more informed LED buying decision.