LED Flashlight with competely even light distribution

[_TONY_]

Hello! I was looking for an LED Flashlight that had completely even light distribution. No hotspot in the middle if possible and no rings. Also I wanted the edges of the beam to be very well defined and sharp. Anyone know of something that fits that bill? Strength of beam is not important. For some reason that's pretty much all I want in a flashlight. Thanks!

Tony

 

[WadeF]

http://www.malkoffdevices.com now sells a P60 drop-in that is designed for flood. If you put this in a P60 host (Surefire 6P, etc) it will give you a nice floody beam from the beam shots I have seen. The sharpness of the edge will most likely depend on the flashlight you put it in. The flashlight's bezel will usually determine what the edge of the beam looks like.

Another option is the Zebralight if you want a headlight:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=194427

 

[Cevulirn]

You could try something like a Terrlux or maybe the Kaidomain LED drop in in a maglite, and go without a reflector. Sounds like a bare LED is what your looking for.

 

[Flashlight Aficionado]

I don't know if it helps, but check out Post #19

The only reason I mentioned it is because I have never seen such an even flood before.

 

[Jarl]

Might want to consider a mule or sundrop. Check out mcgizmo's subforum for details.

lol, typed the above paragraph then read the thread linked above... great minds, etc

 

[enLIGHTenment]

Even distribution with no hotspot is a very rare feature.

5mm cluster lights will do this, but the overall beam quality is not great nor is overall output all that high. The best of this breed include:

http://www.peakledsolutions.net/Products/Kilmanjaro_HA_7LED.html
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/inova_x5t.htm
http://www.cpfreviews.com/Photon-Proton.php

Beyond 5mm lights there are other choices with higher output but much higher costs.

Any light for which a diffuser is available will produce a nicely even light distribution. This includes all of Surefire's 1" bezel E_L series with SF's F04 beam diffuser. The Novatac EDC lights will also work with the F04, but the EDC series has an uncorrected flickering problem that makes them less than desirable given their price point. Price will be over $100 for any lights in this category.

Next after diffuser-capable lights is the Malkoff M60F dropin, which will work in any light that supports P60-style bulb/LED assemblies. The dropin costs $60; P60-compatible host lights start at $60 and go far up from there. Mini review with beamshots here:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=198954

Another option is to remove the reflector from an off-the-shelf light. This will produce an even, wide-angle, beam but you'll need a very high power light to get useful output and I don't know off hand of any lights currently available that will run with the reflector removed. Many lights need the reflector installed to hold the LED and/or front window in place.

Finally, there are a handful of custom reflectorless lights out there. Prices tend to be in the 'arm + leg' region.

 

[enLIGHTenment]

In addition to the lights I mentioned above, there's also the Zebralight and the FlashFlood.

 

[KeyGrip]

An aspheric Mag mod can do that when focused right. Instead of a very tiny spot, you can focus it to achieve a large, fairly even, sharp circle of light. Just be aware that it can be focused to the point where you'll get chromatic abberation (colors around the edge of the circle) which might be annoying.


Example

 

[alibaba]

I've heard great things about the Surefire L4. It is compact for a 2-CR123 light, outputs 100 lumens (and these are real out-the-front lumens) and from what I hear has a nearly perfect smooth floody beam. It ain't cheap but I'll bet that you'd absolutely love the beam!

 

[Curious_character]

The original Inova X1 (with optic instead of reflector) fits this description. So does the LED Lenser Hokus Focus.

c_c

 

[Warhead]

A Peak led snow colored multi led light has about the smoothest beam you could hope for. BUT...there is a "ring" that shows up way outside the beam. It's pronounced on the 7led and not quite so bad on the 3...stronger on a stainless light, and less on a HA coated light, respectively.

Also, a Zebra light??

 

[Tomcat!]

I've heard great things about the Surefire L4. It is compact for a 2-CR123 light, outputs 100 lumens (and these are real out-the-front lumens) and from what I hear has a nearly perfect smooth floody beam. It ain't cheap but I'll bet that you'd absolutely love the beam!

+1 for the L4. I have an E2e with an old KL4 head on it (which makes it the same as an L4) and the beam is beautiful. Very smooth and bright. Lights up a room most impressively. The downsides are the cost and the relatively short run time because you get the full 100 lumens all the time.

A diffuser would be my first choice if it's available for your light because it's a cheap option which allows you to go back to the original beam shape just by pulling it off.

 

[adamlau]

The LunaSol 27 (LS27) on low has one of the cleanest beams (free of rings and artifacts) I have seen. Diffused beams typically do not exhibit pronounced beam edges. See Beamshots: LunaSol 27 vs. Dereelight 1S R2 OP + FM34 for a shot of the LS27 on high and the general inability of beam diffusers to fool the eye of a camera. Take away the hot spot and the corona rings from the LS27 shot and you have the LS27 on low . See how the camera captures the rings present with the H30-Q5 and another diffused LED in Beamshots: H30-Q5 vs. 3SD Q5 (MOP) + FM34 vs. Jonta.

 

[KeyGrip]

Just to clarify, the L4 still has a distinct hotspot, it's just that the hotspot is very large and the area around it is very bright.

 

[LEDninja]

Zebralight review with beamshots:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=175449

Wall of fire:
http://elektrolumens.com/Wall-Of-Fire/Wall-Of-Fire.html
There are 2xP7 & 4xP7 versions.

 

[turbodog]

L4 makes a very good solution when paired with a rechargeable 17650/17670 cell.

 

[lctorana]

Hello! I was looking for an LED Flashlight that had completely even light distribution. No hotspot in the middle if possible and no rings.

This does this perfectly:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.484

Also I wanted the edges of the beam to be very well defined and sharp.

Admittedly, it completey fails in this aspect, though.

 

[Gunner12]

What size and what price?

The Zebralight H50 and H30 are pretty good floody lights(Use search to find reviews).

So is the Flashflood(same beam pattern as this).

8% off coupon at Fenix Store is "CPF8".

:welcome:

 

[fnj]

The original CR2 Ion was a virtually perfect all-flood light. Wish I had gotten one when the getting was good. :mecry:

 

[xcel730]

:welcome:

As several members have mentioned, the McGizmo Sundrop will fit the bill. However, that light comes with a price tag, and it is more of a task-specific light than a general light. I'm not sure what's your budget and how much you're willing to spend.