Optics + glass or just the optics?

[Mattaus]

Hi all,

I'm busy looking into using a 20mm Carlco triple optic for a 3 emitter flashlight I'm modifying and having never used these before I thought I'd clarify something...

Do you leave the face of the optic exposed or do you generally tend to place a lens in front of the optic like you would for a reflector? They would be pushing hard up against each other. I'm of the opinion you leave the lens out but being the noob that I have I just HAVE to ask. :duh2:

Cheers,

- Matt

 

[Echo63]

You can just leave the optic bare, but i find they pick up little scratches pretty quick
I personally prefer a glass front window with the optic behind it

 

[azzid]

Your optics will be safer with a front glass than just leaving it bare, most(moddoolar pocket, fl33 and Mac's Tri EDC) if not all lights which use the 20mm carclo triple optics uses a glass lens to protect it. The bare plastic is a bit easy to scratch since it's just optical grade polycarbonate, tissue paper will scratch it and some type of cloth too, specially if there's dust or any kind of grime on it.

 

[Mattaus]

Sweet. Thanks for the clarification guys. Will take this into consideration when allowing for room in the light. Cheers.

 

[Quiksilver]

If these are toys you're talking about, then do whatever you want.

If you're using them for work, then use protection <insert awareness of potential sex joke emoticon here>. ie. glass/plastic lens.

The optic is made of plastic. It will scratch.

 

[Mattaus]

It's not for work...more just EDC for camping etc. However I don't want to be replacing optics constantly so protection will be used. Don't want to catch any nasty scratches ;)

 

[tolkaze]

I highly doubt that you would be able to cause serious damage to the optic (nothing that wouldn't also break a lens) and generally the triple optics create a very big hotspot, and are generally very bright... so a few scratches doesn't really affect the output that much at all.

I have used both, and prefer the extra little teeny bit of width of beam (if you have glass, and a dropin with the optic, like in a 6P, and the bezel, you will truncate a chunk of the spill) and I also hate it if I crack the glass and it actually refracts more (you get a little weird shaft of light, or a rainbow effect depending on the glass)