How many leds are needed?

[recercare]

I just received Lucido C10, better known as LW 4000 in US. My first impressions: This is a nice light! It seems solid and the long burn time is extremely useful. It's certainly bright enough for reading or illuminating a tent. I would NOT use the LW as my main headlight on obscure trails....but perhaps on well throdden paths/roads.

This raises another question. How on earth can Petzl, Black Diamond or Princeton Tec claim that their 3 led headlight is good enough for trailwalking? That seems a bit absurd.

 

[TrevorNasko]

itis- three aint enough

 

[Lux Luthor]

The Black Diamond has 4 LEDs. Replace their 4.7 ohm resistor with a lower valued one, and it gets a lot brighter. Then it's good enough. In fact, it's more than enough if it's really dark. I'd still keep separate flashlight on hand, though.

 

[Spork]

the lightwave 4k would be even better if it was regulated. it would be possible to get so much light out of those d cells. once the voltage on the alkalines go down your carrying around a big dim flashlight even though theres plenty of juice left. I would rather use the x5 or attitude.