P7, MC-E, or OSTAR or......

[brysonjk]

I have been making a dive light using the tried and true Maglite mod. I am now at the point where I am putting the light source in. Well actually ordering it. I am wondering what the opinions are of each of the lights. I am not looking for crazyness. I just want to know what is the best one to use in the dive light. I currently have a 5 LED p4 on order from DX, that 350Xfire recomended, but looking for opinions. Should I go witht he P7, with DX reflector, the MC-E with Fraen reflector at 12 degree, or the OSTAR at 8 degree (fraen)? I have 8 li-ion batteries, and can configure them however. I really like the OSTAR (by specs) but they appear to be on the way out. To use the MC-E, or the OSTAR, I would have to machine an adaptor to go from the mr-16 sized malight houseing, down to the 35mm for the reflector. Not a big deal though. Little bit of aluminum and time on a lathe. What does everyone think. Oh yea, dive conditions are primariily low vis @ 3-5 meters, but the there will be dives in northern florida so vis would be much better then.

Thanks

 

[Goldigger]

I have been making a dive light using the tried and true Maglite mod. I am now at the point where I am putting the light source in. Well actually ordering it. I am wondering what the opinions are of each of the lights. I am not looking for crazyness. I just want to know what is the best one to use in the dive light. I currently have a 5 LED p4 on order from DX, that 350Xfire recomended, but looking for opinions. Should I go witht he P7, with DX reflector, the MC-E with Fraen reflector at 12 degree, or the OSTAR at 8 degree (fraen)? I have 8 li-ion batteries, and can configure them however. I really like the OSTAR (by specs) but they appear to be on the way out. To use the MC-E, or the OSTAR, I would have to machine an adaptor to go from the mr-16 sized malight houseing, down to the 35mm for the reflector. Not a big deal though. Little bit of aluminum and time on a lathe. What does everyone think. Oh yea, dive conditions are primariily low vis @ 3-5 meters, but the there will be dives in northern florida so vis would be much better then.

Thanks

Personally i would go for the ostar with the fraen reflector.. on the left:

Heres a beam shot of MB-SUB's photon that uses a ostar with fraen reflector..on the right

This maybe an idea with your MR16 head..

 

[brysonjk]

That last pic is pretty sweet. I was just thinking a flat spacer or sort that will sit in the light like the mr16, but have another cutout for the 35mm lens. Now did you make it, or purchase that somewhere? I really like the specs of the OSTAR, but it bothers me that they are not in production anymore. The store I was looking at has about 50 and then they are out. I guess that if I was just to purchase 2, then I should never have to worry about it, well unless dropped or something. Thanks

 

[Goldigger]

That last pic is pretty sweet. I was just thinking a flat spacer or sort that will sit in the light like the mr16, but have another cutout for the 35mm lens. Now did you make it, or purchase that somewhere? I really like the specs of the OSTAR, but it bothers me that they are not in production anymore. The store I was looking at has about 50 and then they are out. I guess that if I was just to purchase 2, then I should never have to worry about it, well unless dropped or something. Thanks

What ostars do they have? 4die/6die? How much are they? I think you want the 16w version as its more effieciant than the 21w version sorry i dont know the bin. edit i think this is the bin Osram Ostar LE UW E3B, 1120lm 17w http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=0369520&cm_vc=av_uk 15w
I can still get the ostars from RS
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=retrieveTfg&binCount=45&Ne=4294957561&Ntt=ostar&Ntk=I18NAll&Nr=AND%28avl%3auk%2csearchDiscon_uk%3aN%29&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&N=4294955205&Nty=1

Sorry no build info on the ostar pic..
Found it here for sale..which is now sold.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=200422

But it looks like they used another reflector and just used the top half which is placed in front of the fraen relfector..

 

[brysonjk]

At www.mouser.com they are about 38.61 for the 18w, and 46.47 for the 27 watt. Prices are USD. But I think that the wattage is wrong, Either way...

LE W E2B = $38.61
LE W E3B = $46.47

I haven't really decided on whether I should get the 4 or 6 chip version.

This website doesn't carry the LE UW E3B or E2B. States they are obsolete.

The do have a LE CW E3B but the color temp isn't high enough. I am looking for 5500K to 6500K. The highest they have in the CW is 4500k

Thanks

 

[350xfire]

Guys:
The biggest problem with Ostar is the fact that Osram is mot making them any more. There is plenty of supply left out there for a year or two. However, Fraen reflectors for it are really hard to come by. I have been looking for these for a while and have not been able to get them. There is one place that can get them but for $5 each and 120 count.

I recommend the P7 for price
MCE for tighter beam and availability of a Luxdrive fully potted driver at 700ma.
Osram for brightness, if you can get a Fraen... Don't waste your time with any other reflector on the Osram. I've already tried about 5 of them and none of them can tighten up the beam...

For a first light, I still like the 5 LED reflector from DX. COmes fully assembled with drivers.

 

[gav6280]

What reflectors are you using on your tightest mce set-ups?

 

[Goldigger]

Just use the fraen lens for the MCE if you cant get the ostar one.
They are practically the same reflector, you will maybe need to open the hole up for the led though.
http://www.led-tech.de/en/High-Powe...ctor-for-Cree-MC-E-13,5°-LT-1492_106_110.html

 

[brysonjk]

Thank you all for all the help. I am going to wait and see what the 5 LED one from DX will give me. I just hope it get here soon. I am mainly looking for alternatives. 350Xfire has been a huge help to me along the way, and many thanks go to him. He recomended the one from DX, and we shall see. I guess the concern is that I want around a 8 degree dispersion, but the Fraen lens for the MCE is said to be 12, but the Fraen for the Ostar is 7 for the 4 die, and 8 degrees for the 6 die.

 

[350xfire]

Just use the fraen lens for the MCE if you cant get the ostar one.
They are practically the same reflector, you will maybe need to open the hole up for the led though.
http://www.led-tech.de/en/High-Powe...ctor-for-Cree-MC-E-13,5°-LT-1492_106_110.html

I have tried that as well. Beam looks nothing like the Salvo light.

 

[Goldigger]

I only know one place thats has the Fraen ostar reflector, there in germany but there shipping costs are through the roof!
http://onlineshop.mytinysun.com/shop/article_FRC-N1-OE2B-0/Fraen-12-Grad-Reflektor-f%C3%BCr-Osram-Ostar-LE-UW-E3B-Led.html?shop_param=cid%3D1%26aid%3DFRC-N1-OE2B-0%26

To get the 8 degree beam you need a 6 die ostar without the dome lens..
http://www.fraensrl.com/images/Fraen_FRC_Datasheet.pdf