Question : 2 different Cree Q5 LEDS?

[Optic Nerve]

I have a Nitecore D20 and an Eagletac P10A2. They both have Cree Q5 leds in them. The area around the led die in the Nitecore is yellow; whereas, the area around the led die in the Eagletac is silver. What is the significance of this?

 

[TigerhawkT3]

Re: 2 different Cree Q5 LEDS?

The yellow-backed one is made in the USA, while the silver-backed one is made in Cree's China plant. They are functionally identical.

 

[starburst]

Re: 2 different Cree Q5 LEDS?

My Nitecore is silver, as You have, I've seen both color's not 100% but,
I think it's something to do with the way they apply the yellow phosphur
other's I'm sure can give You a more complete answer.

The silver based Cree's I have seen have been pretty cold tint as in
light blue or WC tint that does not mean you can't get a warm tint
like WG or WH with more of a incan type color. My understanding is
the silver base is the newest of the two.

I did'nt know the silver ones were made in china interesting

 

[JBorneu]

The only difference is that they come from a different factory AFAIK. There are a couple threads about this somewhere on CPF. Use the search function if you want more info.

 

[Optic Nerve]

I just found this thread.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/185681

I thought all cree leds were made in the US. This is news to me.

 

[kramer5150]

Different manufacturing plants (as already mentioned).
Cree rates each emitter independently for brightness and color, using the same criteria. So Q5-WC emitters fall under those BINs for Lumens and tint, regardless of the color of their backing. There is color/brightness variation within each BIN however, and Vf specs vary too. So still... not all R2-WC (for example) emitters are identical. Although I don't think there's conclusive studies within the BINs to say all silver backs are inferior (or vise versa).