I own an Eagletac D25A Ti Clicky in Neutral and decided to get one of the L3 L10's with the Nichia 219. The Nichia seems to be a lot cooler white than the XM-L2, is this how they are supposed to be? The color temp seems perfect, but I thought it was going to be a lot warmer.
Nichia 219 cooler white than XM-L2 Neutral?
- Thread starter gratmars
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
markr6
Flashaholic
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2012
- Messages
- 9,258
Many of the XM-L2 lights I've seen looks like dingy, yellow crap. Fortunately most of the Zebralights I currently have are a nice tint. But compared to a Nichia 219 they'll appear yellow. The Nichia definitely starts looking very cool after you get used to the warmer tints. Even it it wasn't a high CRI, it would still be my favorite
jimboutilier
Enlightened
I have a variety of High CRI and Neutral XML/2 and 219A/B lights.
The high CRI XML/2s are Warm White and are very warm. I don't like any of them. The NW XML/2s are on the warm side of neutral are ok but I still find them too warm. The 219A/Bs are cooler and I find them to be the most pleasing neutral tint and the best color rendition. So I think what you are seeing is typical.
I've even tried some 5000k XML2s that are on the edge of NW and CW according to CREEs definition and I like the tint but it still seems more yellow than a 4500k 219.
The high CRI XML/2s are Warm White and are very warm. I don't like any of them. The NW XML/2s are on the warm side of neutral are ok but I still find them too warm. The 219A/Bs are cooler and I find them to be the most pleasing neutral tint and the best color rendition. So I think what you are seeing is typical.
I've even tried some 5000k XML2s that are on the edge of NW and CW according to CREEs definition and I like the tint but it still seems more yellow than a 4500k 219.
Charles L.
Enlightened
Agree about the NW XML/2s looking too warm. I'm a bit dismayed at the yellow tint to my Zebralight SC600 MkII L2 on any setting other than its highest.
So far my favorite tint is the warm version of my 2010-vintage Jetbeam Jet-III M (don't recall what emitter it has). I have an L3 Illumination L10 with Nichia on order and look forward to comparing.
So far my favorite tint is the warm version of my 2010-vintage Jetbeam Jet-III M (don't recall what emitter it has). I have an L3 Illumination L10 with Nichia on order and look forward to comparing.
Stockhouse13
Newly Enlightened
My eagtac D25c Ti clicky in NW is done right. The beam is a nice white in all the modes. Its a really nice T 5 led. And yes, more white than a buddies hds nichia light. The new Nichia's are more cooler, it seems.
Eagtac has a superb stash of NW t5 xml2. My Malkoff 361N beats it slightly but not by much.
Eagtac has a superb stash of NW t5 xml2. My Malkoff 361N beats it slightly but not by much.
Wow, you guys are amazing... I never expected such a quick and thorough response. The 219 is cooler but not by a bunch. But I really am impressed by this beam. Now it's making me have second thoughts about the XP-G2 neutral I have coming tomorrow in an eagletac.
HighlanderNorth
Flashlight Enthusiast
This might give you a sense of the tints:
L to R on modes 2-3 lms:
Quark AAX XML2
Peak El Cap XPG
'12 D25A Ti NW XML
'14 D25A Ti N219
L10 N219
Quark AA N219 (modded)
SC52 XML
I am amazed at the difference in tints in your picture. The SC52 at the far right looks flat out green in tint. I have an SC52, not the W version, and I just looked at mine spotted very close on a white paper towel(it was the only thing I had handy that looked 100% white). It looks mostly a yellowish with maybe a slight green-ish-ness to it, but its not the almost pure green you illustrate. I guess there are wide variations in samples of these lights. Or maybe the camera has something to do with it too. But the Quark on the far left looks green-ish as well. There even seems to be a difference in tint between the two N219 lights there. Hmmm
Flashlight Dave
Enlightened
I recently acquired a Preon 219B and it seems a little whiter than the 4500K it claims to be. Maybe its due to the lack of the rose colored tint.
CarpentryHero
Flashlight Enthusiast
I've noticed the last couple Nichia219 lights I've bought have been cooler in tint than the first round. The Preon2 is one of em, I think my L10 and a dropin I have, all look 4750 to 5000k in tint. Colour rendering has still been good, so I take it as a win in my eyes 
Both of course... A camera does accentuate beam differences (tint/lumens/profiles) - the human eye/brain has a sort of auto white balance and exposure adjustment that minimizes the differences.
My SC52 always looks kinda green to me. The CW Quark looks pretty white to me, but once I bring another beam along side, I can see the green tinge. And yes, the three N219s are all slightly different when viewed side-by-side. Tints are a lottery
.
tobrien
Flashlight Enthusiast
We need to also think: what are we defining as neutral white?
AnAppleSnail
Flashlight Enthusiast
At which brightness, around which other light sources?
Flashlight Dave
Enlightened
I've noticed the last couple Nichia219 lights I've bought have been cooler in tint than the first round. The Preon2 is one of em, I think my L10 and a dropin I have, all look 4750 to 5000k in tint. Colour rendering has still been good, so I take it as a win in my eyes
I have been waiting for sunlight, 90+ CRI at 5500K. This is getting close.
Stockhouse13
Newly Enlightened
A Malkoff 361n, for me, is neutral white.
Lite_me
Flashlight Enthusiast
I too bought 2 of the Preon2s in the 219b. Most of the lights I've used lately are of the 'neutral' variety and at first, the Preons looked a bit cool to me. After some use, I have fallen in love with them. I have no light with a better tint than these. I carry one in my shirt pocket and reach for it first, if possible. The bad part is, it has kind of spoiled me.
