Question about Luxeons & Lenses...

[x-ray]

Please forgive me if this is a stupid question, but my knowledge of optics is well very lacking

I was wondering why lenses aren't used on LS based flashlights to increase the throw, After looking at the output of the PT Impact & PALight it would seem that a lens can make a huge difference to a single LED.

Is there some reason this wouldn't work with an LS ?

 

[sunspot]

Many people do use a lens w/LS. It is also called "optics" or "collimator". Some mods are wanted to be a flood beam so a lens is not needed.
I hope this helps. I had to ask about this myself to clear up my confusion.

 

[Lux Luthor]

There's been some discussion on the mod forum about using an LS with both a reflector and a lense (like the Impact). There's no reason it shouldn't work to produce a narrow beam. I find with certain reflectors that an LS high dome produces a beam just like a regular flashlight, and a lense on top of it could be used to tighten it up even more.

Since we're not professional companies, though, some experimentation on our part needs to be done to find what works best. I believe you'll see more discussions of this as the 5W ones become more available.

 

[Mrd 74]

Would it not be possible then to have an adjustable beam as well and if so how come it hasn't been marketed yet?

 

[GJW]

I think the key is the high-dome Luxeons which haven't been available in mass quantities.

The high-dome Brinkmann 3xAA that I got from Elektrolumens DOES have an adjustable beam.
It uses the stock reflector and produces a beam very comparable to an incandescent.

The identical low-dome light does not benefit from a reflector and uses a collimator.

Once production of the high-domes is stepped up you probably will see that feature marketed.

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

Mrd 74;

There is just such a product on the market, by LEDCorp. It is a 1 watt LS emitter mounted to a specially engineered base that fits the PR series flange socket of the Mag-Lite. The White ones are readily available from them in 3 and 4 Cell models. Rarer, is the 2 Cell White. These bulbs are called Pro Series. There are no optics attached to the emitter, as the focusability of the flashlight is used for this purpose. You don't get the dark spot till it is unfocused to the wider point. Medium to narrow works very well. Red is readily available for 2, 3, and 4 Cells. It is critical to use only the bulb that is matched to the number of cells in the flashlight. For more info on these:

http://www.ledcorp.com/

and

http://www.ledmuseum.org/

I was lucky to be able to order one for my 2D Mag. I just have to wait for it to be made, then shipped.