red lens cover vs red led

[jcoldwater]

I'm new on this board. I just saw the surefire l1 w/red led and was wondering if having a red led is equal to a red cover for a white led?

 

[Lynx_Arc]

I believe a red LED is more efficient on red light output than a white led with a red cover, however a white led with cover you can take the cover off and use it normally.

 

[pyro]

If only red light is needed, the red LED is better.
Better eficiency and longer lasting.
But the beams of the colored lights aren't as good as the white ones.

I suggest to look at the A2 from Surefire, this can have a low beam with red LEDs and bright Xenon high beam.
Maybe this fits your needs better.

 

[IsaacHayes]

Plus a white led has very few red light in it to begin with. An incandecent with a red filter will put out more red light than a white led with red filter.
A red led will put out tons more light than the white led and a good amount more than then incandecent of equal lumens with red filter.

 

[Kiessling]

Popping a red filter on a white LED is really bad efficiency since the white LED has its poorest performance in the red spectrum, hence the bluish HID-like color.
Like it was already said ... if you want red-only, go with a red LED and choose your reflective system carefully. The above mentioned SF A2 is a cool compromise for both ... red and white.
bernie

 

[leukos]

[ QUOTE ]
IsaacHayes said:
Plus a white led has very few red light in it to begin with. An incandecent with a red filter will put out more red light than a white led with red filter.
A red led will put out tons more light than the white led and a good amount more than then incandecent of equal lumens with red filter.

[/ QUOTE ]

Isaac explained it well. I have red filters on my LEDs, but that is only for the purpose of getting a very low light setting. I use one on the low mode of my L2 (15 lumens) and I would guess it is only 2 lumens with the red filter. But I use it for that purpose. Maybe explain a little more what you want and how you plan to use it?

 

[jcoldwater]

Could i just drop a red led in and run it like that? I just want a really cool looking light. The A2 may be just the thing.