Reflector or lens

[fibra]

Hello everybody. I`m new in this forum and pretty new to high power LEDs.

I`d like to build off-road driving lights for my motorcycle using XR-E or maybe P7.

I see some people are making custom lights with just reflectors, and some just with lenses. Which to use for what and what is the difference? Why not using both as factory headlights?

I would need to buy a lot of lenses and reflectors to find answer myself, so I would really appreciate answer from some experienced builders.

 

[srolesen]

from what i inderstand the difference is that a lence will focus light that passes out the front, while a reflector will focus light that comes out at an angle large enough to not directly pass out the front. so with a lens you can focus a larger portion of the light.
btw. why arent you useing HID lights ?

 

[fibra]

I understand. So, for LEDs a way to go would still be reflector+lens. Don`t understand why people build their lights with ether one or other, rarely both.

btw. why arent you useing HID lights ?

I don`t wanna use HID. I`d like to build additional, compact LED lights that I`d use just for the off-road riding. With today`s LEDs I think I can get same or better lighting results for less money, and especially less energy which is very important factor in motorbikes.

 

[BrianMc]

If you would like to see multiple LED's mostly unfettered (no lens OR reflector, though they are recesssed, and so the top of their light distribution was purposefully cut off, but the side to side and down is fine), see this thread's low beam shots:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=254700

From what I read here mostly, good reflectors are a bit more efficient at getting the LED's output going in the right direction, say 95% versus 90%, ball park, though there is a lot of overlap, so YMMV.

Secondly, reflectors work better for very tight spotlight beams, or at least the smaller the lenses, the wider the 'narrow spot'.

Reflectors, are often relatively larger in diameter and depth, so your choice of light size and multiple LEDs may prevent use of reflectors.

Some commercial lights have a focussing lens, sometimes adjustable, in front of the reflector.

As a DIY without a large R&D budget, accepting good enough, may be wiser than a lot of lens-reflector testing. But if you want to and can, have at it. Please report your testing with beam shots! :twothumbs

 

[trout]

Have you had a look at this thread these would be nice on an offroad motorcycle

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=251079