Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

[brightnorm]

I'm asking out of selfish reasons. I ordered several in hopes of getting one that was at least remotely "white". Someone with several (forgot who, sorry) said his were all like that and not to waste my money. But I hoped to get a better perspective from more Flashaholics.

This might also be a good place to rant/vent if you're so inclined. I was so disappointed at the color of my #341 that I find myself making excuses not to use it.

Brightnorm

 

[vcal]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

One other thought, Norm........
It's my guess that when the Lambertian H.D. Luxeons become more widely available, Surefire (being a company that has a reputation for some of the most powerful illumination tools), will probably go to that in the KL1-maybe called the KL1-HD?

From the photos shown here on CPF, that HD has a much better (whiter) tint than the batwing Low Dome now in use.
-What da 'ya think......?

 

[Owen]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

How far off is the color on yours?

I'm happy with mine. Guess I should be embarassed, because I commented on the color of mine being blue, with a tinge of red. I even attributed the fact that details (particularly outdoors) seem to leap out at you with this light to the color variation. Realized that the "white" wall I was shining it on was an off-white that leans toward yellow, which made it look more blue. On a white background it does still has a hint of blue...almost identical to both of my white Photon IIs. Very good, IMO. It is barely noticeable.
I did expect the KL1 to be a little brighter (based on nothing but my own preconceived notions about it), but after a week or so of carry, have decided that it's about perfect for the things I usually need a light for.
The hotspot being off-center is my only real complaint. This doesn't affect use, either, but I suppose it's a QC issue.
Regardless, I love this thing.

 

[JoeyL]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

I like the bluish tint of my KL1.
It looks like a fluorescent with a focus.
No complaints from me.
In fact, I ordered another one.
Actually, I think it's mostly white and makes my LS1 first look pink...

 

[Alan]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

One of my KL1 is little purple and dimmer (still brighter than BB400, ArcLS hybrid 400ma), the other one is *very* bright and *very* purple.

I don't like purple tint at all but then again, it's the brightest Luxeon in the market, what can I say:-(

Alan

 

[JohnG]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

Mine is the same color temperature as most of the Nichia based lights I own/ have owned...just WAY brighter!
It makes the newest SLS, which I thought was white and had been very happy with, look mint green. I hadn't really noticed that before because the corona wasn't pea green like the older SLS lights I had.
I'm satisfied.

 

[rodmeister]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

I discussed how to change the beam color of a Maglite LED conversion and ARC LS on the thread "Pro Series LED Bulb" on this forum. It might be an expensive solution to this problem though I don't know if the KL1 can be disassembled.

It would involve using an acetate yellow CP (color printing) filter or glass CC (color compensating) filter to correct the bluish tint.

 

[this_is_nascar]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

Originally posted by brightnorm:
I'm asking out of selfish reasons. I ordered several in hopes of getting one that was at least remotely "white". Someone with several (forgot who, sorry) said his were all like that and not to waste my money. But I hoped to get a better perspective from more Flashaholics.

This might also be a good place to rant/vent if you're so inclined. I was so disappointed at the color of my #341 that I find myself making excuses not to use it.

Brightnorm

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">It was probably me that said that. All (4) KL-1's that I have are heavily blue tinted. The brighter they are (as indicated by the light meter), the bluer they are. It really sucks.

 

[jtivat]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

I have two one is not as bright as my new Arc LS Hybrid and the other is just slightly brighter. All three are bluish purple better than green but white would be better.

 

[Byron Walter]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

My KL1 leans towards the violet end of the spectrum. It is brighter than my "whiter" Arc SLS and I like it just fine (like the Arc very much as well... both are excellent).

 

[fasteddie]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

If anyone is really dissatisfied with their KL1, I will gladly take it off your hands. Still trying to get one. email me if you have one you want to get rid of.

 

[brightnorm]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

Thanks everybody for your responses. I now have four LS Seconds. The brightest one (probably 500ma) is a wonderful light, not quite as spot bright as my intensely purple narrow field KL1, but has a remarkably broad field of white light and seems to fill the room with a greater amount oif light than the KL1. It's close to being an "ideal" light. (Of course for a Flashaholic there's no such thing). The only catch is it burns short and hot, too hot to hold. My next best SLS is my EDC, a real keeper. A little less bright than the KL1, but with a beautiful, slightly blue tinted remarkably broad white beam. In comparison testing, after four hours (giving up surprisingly little to the fully regulated KL1)
It remained brighter than any of my (now 4) reactors or Inretechs. Six hours of excellent light, and hours more of functional light. (on lithiums).

I just ordered my first LGI from Mr. Bulk.

Brightnorm

 

[geepondy]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

As mentioned, I'm disappointed in my KL1. I didn't order a violet LED, I didn't expect to get one. Here I have a bb yellow with good (for Luxeon) color rendition but in a inferior mini mag body which has a loose head and rattles easily, while on the other hand having a purple KL1 in a superior Surefire body. Wish I could swap LEDs betweeen the two lights. To be honest, I'm tired of shelling out the money in hopes of getting a perfect combination of body and light. Except for a couple most likely inretech mods for Christmas gifts, I think I'm going to take a pass on future Luxeon purchases until the color rendition problem is straightened out.

 

[McGizmo]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

ATTN: BLUE LIGHT HATERS!

I have a possible solution for you folks but it requires giving up the throw for a very useful and even wide angle light fill. Try a SureFire beam shaper on the KL1. From what I can tell with mine, the beam shaper blends the warm corona with the blue white center and reduces the blue tint dramatically, in my opinnion. The color is still not "warm" because it's hot (high color temp). If you have a beam shaper handy, try it.

- Don

BTW, in another post Al mentioned that the beamshaper is just frosted lexan and pretty ineficient (considerable light loss). I still suspect that it is Physical Optics Corp LSD material in which case the light transmission is almost 90%. One of these days, we'll get to the bottom of this.........

 

[Flashlightboy]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

McGizmo,

Your suggestion re: beamshaper for the KL1 is dead on.

I for one don't mind the color of the KL1. When I first got it I was playing with it and put on the beamshaper. It does change things just as you mentioned although, in the end, I took the insert out and now use the rubber collar as a bezel protector.

 

[lemlux]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

Which beamshaper fits the KL1? I have one for the 6P/9P and one for the E2. I really don't want to buy another.

Any idea which would fit the KL3?

 

[Flashlightboy]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

lemlux,

Any filter/beamshaper that fits the Ex will fit the KL1. I think the bezels of both are the same diameter.

 

[McGizmo]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

I concurr with Jeff on the Ex series filters for the KL1. We need Al's input on the KL3 as most of us don't have, nor have we seen the illusive KL3

 

[lemlux]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

Thanks, guys.

 

[axolotls]

Re: Is there anyone whose KL1 is NOT strongly colored, and who is happy with the color

oh drat. held out long enough. just ordered one. i for one wouldn't mind a bluish tint. i always like a little color with my torch (just me though)