Components used in Peak LED Solutions flashlights:
There have been some questions as to the choice of LEDs used in some our lights lately and we need to explain our reasons for the changes.
Unlike the major flashlights manufactures such as Pentagon Light and others, Peak does not purchase contracts of LEDs or electronics to get the lowest cost parts. As a result of contract buying for cost savings the major manufactures are locked into a design for up to four years while technology leaves them behind.
Peak monitors 13 different makers of integrated circuits, seven optics and five LED manufacturers. We then use the product that best suits the flashlight that we produce. As a better device is available for use that is what we acquire and install in the appropriate light. These are automatic unannounced upgrades.
Several years ago we changed from the Lux III to the Seoul P4 as the light output per watt input was much greater. We still use the Seoul P4 in several of our lights and will continue to do so until something better comes along. We continue to look at the other LEDs and will evaluate them if they represent a jump in performance worth a change.
It can be shown that the latest Cree XR-E has 5 or 10% more light output than a Seoul P4 or a Luxeon K2 TFFC. However that amount of increase is not enough to warrant a change in LED usage, led circuit board, led heat sink and led optics. The Seoul P4 and Luxeon K2 are basically interchangeable. The Seoul P4 has a clean output where as the K2 has some visual artifacts. This is very important to white wall hunters, but we make flashlights to be used as flashlights. Minor imperfections do not inhibit the usefulness of the flashlight.
Optics also makes a big difference in the output of the LED. Most optics manufacturers design the reflector or lens to the Luxeon Lux III. Then they say it can be used with any LED of that size configuration, and that may include up to 6 different makes of LEDs. A close look at the data sheets and in house observation reveals a wide range of efficiency and outputs using that same optic with different LEDs. The output efficiency of the wrong optic can easily degrade a 10 % more powerful LED to less light output than the lower powered LED. The whole package must work together; LEDs, optics and electronics.
We are now using the Luxeon K2-0220 in some of our higher output lights such as the Rainer, the LEO line and in some other high output lights. The reason is twofold, one the junction temperature is higher and two is the higher current level that can be applied to the LED. The Seoul P4 is a 350 mA device that can be driven to 1000 mA of current. The Luxeon K2 is a 1000 mA device that can be driven to 1500 mA. The color tint shift with the K2 is less at higher drive levels then the P4. Even at 2000 mA the K2 shows very little tint shifting. That is at an estimated output of about 360 Lumens. Seoul has started to use a different formula for their phosphor coatings; however they are not yet in general distribution. The new coatings are supposed to offer better efficiency and higher temperature resistance to tint shift and burning, (led life at elevated current drive levels). The Seoul P4 V bin output LED is still on hold, it seems as Cree is not releasing their best dice to outside venders.
We will continue to make changes to our lights as technology advances. And if some LEDs are changed and are no longer available in certain products it is because we feel that the change is for the better. We have been offering the choice of Lux III or Seoul P4. The Lux III will no longer be offered and will be replaced by the LED that we feel is the best one for that particular product, whether it is the Seoul P4-U2 or the Luxeon K2-0220. If one LED is superior to the other in a particular application, we will use the better, however if there is no performance gain we will use either LED.
Curt
There have been some questions as to the choice of LEDs used in some our lights lately and we need to explain our reasons for the changes.
Unlike the major flashlights manufactures such as Pentagon Light and others, Peak does not purchase contracts of LEDs or electronics to get the lowest cost parts. As a result of contract buying for cost savings the major manufactures are locked into a design for up to four years while technology leaves them behind.
Peak monitors 13 different makers of integrated circuits, seven optics and five LED manufacturers. We then use the product that best suits the flashlight that we produce. As a better device is available for use that is what we acquire and install in the appropriate light. These are automatic unannounced upgrades.
Several years ago we changed from the Lux III to the Seoul P4 as the light output per watt input was much greater. We still use the Seoul P4 in several of our lights and will continue to do so until something better comes along. We continue to look at the other LEDs and will evaluate them if they represent a jump in performance worth a change.
It can be shown that the latest Cree XR-E has 5 or 10% more light output than a Seoul P4 or a Luxeon K2 TFFC. However that amount of increase is not enough to warrant a change in LED usage, led circuit board, led heat sink and led optics. The Seoul P4 and Luxeon K2 are basically interchangeable. The Seoul P4 has a clean output where as the K2 has some visual artifacts. This is very important to white wall hunters, but we make flashlights to be used as flashlights. Minor imperfections do not inhibit the usefulness of the flashlight.
Optics also makes a big difference in the output of the LED. Most optics manufacturers design the reflector or lens to the Luxeon Lux III. Then they say it can be used with any LED of that size configuration, and that may include up to 6 different makes of LEDs. A close look at the data sheets and in house observation reveals a wide range of efficiency and outputs using that same optic with different LEDs. The output efficiency of the wrong optic can easily degrade a 10 % more powerful LED to less light output than the lower powered LED. The whole package must work together; LEDs, optics and electronics.
We are now using the Luxeon K2-0220 in some of our higher output lights such as the Rainer, the LEO line and in some other high output lights. The reason is twofold, one the junction temperature is higher and two is the higher current level that can be applied to the LED. The Seoul P4 is a 350 mA device that can be driven to 1000 mA of current. The Luxeon K2 is a 1000 mA device that can be driven to 1500 mA. The color tint shift with the K2 is less at higher drive levels then the P4. Even at 2000 mA the K2 shows very little tint shifting. That is at an estimated output of about 360 Lumens. Seoul has started to use a different formula for their phosphor coatings; however they are not yet in general distribution. The new coatings are supposed to offer better efficiency and higher temperature resistance to tint shift and burning, (led life at elevated current drive levels). The Seoul P4 V bin output LED is still on hold, it seems as Cree is not releasing their best dice to outside venders.
We will continue to make changes to our lights as technology advances. And if some LEDs are changed and are no longer available in certain products it is because we feel that the change is for the better. We have been offering the choice of Lux III or Seoul P4. The Lux III will no longer be offered and will be replaced by the LED that we feel is the best one for that particular product, whether it is the Seoul P4-U2 or the Luxeon K2-0220. If one LED is superior to the other in a particular application, we will use the better, however if there is no performance gain we will use either LED.
Curt
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