Need help finding brightest 5mm Diffused Red LEDs

[CactusSeed31]

Hi, I am trying to make some night vision micro-type lights by replacing existing LED and batteries with new LED's.
Hi, I am new to this forum, and a novice with LEDs and electronics.

Can anyone help me find some very bright (total light output, not a small angle spot) diffused or flaqt top LEDs ?

I have used diffuced LEDs many years ago. Looking for whatever is best today.

Never have seen a "flat top" LED but they seem to have wide viewing angle Do they have a smooth beam? I have been disappointed with beam quality in regular RED LEDs with 20-25 degree viewing angles... The diffused is nice and smooth. Good for reading. Are the flat tops like that?

Appreciate any and all advice.

Pete

 

[Nate]

Have a squizz on my site - there's a YouTube vid at the bottom: http://www.rigidmount.com/blinkers.html

They're Orange 1W 8mm 140deg straw hat orange LEDs (ebay specials - shop4leds was the store), i'm pretty happy with them, drive them at around 250mA flashing & they dont get too hot. Beam is quite wide - they've got superb visibility from all angles.
They have of course got red ones - but in 8mm

If you want beam shots let me know & i can put some up - but yeah they're "strawhats" not "flat tops" - i'd definitely give them a go

 

[CactusSeed31]

Nate, Thanks for the advice!

Know you are not using them for readinf etc But do know if the "strawhats" have a pretty smooth beam?

Thanks!

 

[JohnR66]

Checkout Cree's red "Screenmaster" series LEDs. They have a nice diffuse light. They are in a compact 4mm (or 5mm) oval package that is easy to fit them on a circuit board close together. You can also scuff the surface of any ordinary 5mm LED to diffuse the light or even file down the dome. I recommend any of Cree's color 5mm LEDs as they are the brightest LEDs I have used.

Here are some shots of the Screenmaster LED

 

[CactusSeed31]

The Cree look interesting. Where do you get them from? Did not see on Ebay, or with a quick internet search.

Thanks,

Pete

 

[jason 77]

The Cree look interesting. Where do you get them from? Did not see on Ebay, or with a quick internet search.

Thanks,

Pete

Don't know what part of the world you are in "shipping wise" but Newark.com has them..

 

[Nate]

yeah they're good, from 1m away at a wall - there's a brighter patch about 1.5m wide, then it smoothly drops off to about a 2.5-3m spread.
They're also not too bad from the side - you definetely know if they're on or off