Small LED Torch with very tight spot?

[stergiopilus]

I am after some recommendations for a Cree torch which has the tightest spot/least (no) Halo? The smaller the better too.

I know I might be asking a bit much, but thought I would at least try. I want one so that I can take it apart and mod it to put on my Loupes (so that it looks something like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sm...upe_light_.jpg ).

I am a dental student and proper ones cost $1000-$2000, so I was hoping to make a cheaper one myself that doesn't blind the patients (hence no halo). So hopefully something that has a spot <5cm at 40-50cm distance. It doesn't need to be too bright.

I currently have a WF-606A torch (got it based on your reviews) and it is excellent for general use, but the Halo is much too big for what I want to do. I have been recommended the X2000 on another forum, which seems like it could work, but thought I would get the opinion from these knowledgable forums.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[I came to the light...]

You will need something with a lens, probably aspheric (like the x2000). AFAIK, reflectors will always produce more spill (a brighter halo) than you would want to point in somebody's eyes at close range. Most lenses do too.

I'm wondering why professional lights cost so much... might it be for color rendition? In which case you would want to get a warmer LED, which would improve that.

Beyond that, sorry, I can't help.

 

[RyanA]

You might be best suited to build one to suit your purposes. Check out some of the cree xp-e and 10mm optics LEDs at Cutter Electronics (should come right up if you google it) it should fit within a maglight solitare head. Check out this tread for some really cool ideas.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=228363

With an external powersource that leaves a lot of options for regulation and batteries.

Also, Welcome. Good first post.

 

[greenlight]

There must be something available that is cheaper than that. You shouldn't have to make your own.

 

[Duglite]

Could a tube extend beyond the light to shield the halo (spill)? It would have a collimating effect. It doesn't seem that getting the brightness you need will be too difficult. Maybe a tube lined with a black velour like you see in some types of photographic or darkroom equipment.

 

[MetalZone]

custom make an aspheric Lummi Wee?

 

[stergiopilus]

You will need something with a lens, probably aspheric (like the x2000). AFAIK, reflectors will always produce more spill (a brighter halo) than you would want to point in somebody's eyes at close range. Most lenses do too.

I'm wondering why professional lights cost so much... might it be for color rendition? In which case you would want to get a warmer LED, which would improve that.

I think the reason for the high price isn't anything fancy, it is just that anything with the word 'Dental' in it costs 10x as much...

You might be best suited to build one to suit your purposes. Check out some of the cree xp-e and 10mm optics LEDs at Cutter Electronics (should come right up if you google it) it should fit within a maglight solitare head. Check out this tread for some really cool ideas.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=228363

With an external powersource that leaves a lot of options for regulation and batteries.

Also, Welcome. Good first post.

Thanks for the welcome. I had a look at the 10mm optics LEDs, and they look pretty good, could make it smaller than modifying a torch. And yes, I would be using an external powersource (make my own with AA batteries), so that should give me better running time and ability to adjust the brightness (limit the current).

There must be something available that is cheaper than that. You shouldn't have to make your own.

I've looked around a bit and havn't found anything cheap, as said above, anything that is used in dentistry costs 10x as much as normal...

Could a tube extend beyond the light to shield the halo (spill)? It would have a collimating effect. It doesn't seem that getting the brightness you need will be too difficult. Maybe a tube lined with a black velour like you see in some types of photographic or darkroom equipment.

Thats a good idea actually, I hadn't thought of it. I just tested it with my WF-606A torch and wrapping some paper over the front of the torch with a small opening, and that idea looks like it could work. Something else to think about.

 

[s.c.]

I have the x2000, you'll blind yourself if you focus that thing into a tight spot while working on a patient.

There's the original Inova x1, a couple years old now, that was almost useless because it had such a ridiculously tight spot.

Aren't there some lights that use fiber optics and have a flexible neck so you can shine the beam exactly where you want it? I have one from a local hardware store that runs on coin cell batteries. Those might work for your application.

 

[stergiopilus]

There's the original Inova x1, a couple years old now, that was almost useless because it had such a ridiculously tight spot.

Aren't there some lights that use fiber optics and have a flexible neck so you can shine the beam exactly where you want it? I have one from a local hardware store that runs on coin cell batteries. Those might work for your application.

Thanks for the Inova X1 suggestion, that seems perfect for what I want to do! I managed to track one down (original one with the tight spot) on ebay (new in package, just old stock from a shop) and just won the auction, so should have it in a few days. :twothumbs

As for the fibre optic suggestion, yeh, some of the professional lights are fibre optic ones, but it seems more bulky and harder to do.

I'll see how it goes with the X1 and if I run into any major problems, will try some of the other suggestions.

 

[Duglite]

Here's a cheap light on E**Y that I ran across while looking into your issue:
http://cgi.ebay.com/dental-loupe-li...9QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101

A fiber optic arrangement might be an idea, if done well. You could have the flashlight clipped to your waistband, and there are some pretty flexible cables that would transmit a good share of the light. I think the biggest challenge would be to get the fiber end to stand obediently straight out from the front of your glasses, since it would be highly directional. A small collimating tube could be used at the tip.

What about using a fiber to feed normal light into a curing probe, so you can light the teeth up directly within the mouth? Could something like that be modded to hook to the mouth in the way a saliva sucker does?

 

[Gunner12]

The Inova X1 isn't that bright, but it could work for you.

I think a small case with the LED and a small narrow optic could work. The driver will be placed with the batteries with wires leading through the back of the case to the LED.

I think a problem with a fiber for the light that leads to the mouth is that it will be placed in the mouth of the patient, which means it would have to be cleaned or replaced for every patient.

There are a few threads here of people who have made such a thing. Here's one, and two that could help.

 

[Flying Turtle]

I thought about an old Inova X1, too. Problem there is availability. I think LED Lenser brand has some penlights with the "moonbeam" that might be easier to find.

Geoff

 

[stergiopilus]

Here's a cheap light on E**Y that I ran across while looking into your issue:
http://cgi.ebay.com/dental-loupe-li...9QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101

A fiber optic arrangement might be an idea, if done well. You could have the flashlight clipped to your waistband, and there are some pretty flexible cables that would transmit a good share of the light. I think the biggest challenge would be to get the fiber end to stand obediently straight out from the front of your glasses, since it would be highly directional. A small collimating tube could be used at the tip.

What about using a fiber to feed normal light into a curing probe, so you can light the teeth up directly within the mouth? Could something like that be modded to hook to the mouth in the way a saliva sucker does?

I had a look at the ebay light, and it seems to have a pretty big 'halo' around the main spot, which isn't good for what I want.

As for the optic fibre, it could work, but it would be a bit of a pain trying to attach it somehow, and more of a chance of breaking it etc.

The Inova X1 isn't that bright, but it could work for you.

I think a small case with the LED and a small narrow optic could work. The driver will be placed with the batteries with wires leading through the back of the case to the LED.

There are a few threads here of people who have made such a thing. Here's one, and two that could help.

I managed to find an Inova X1 and buy it, but it is nowhere near as bright as I thought it would be.

So, I have ordered a Cree R2 WF LED with a 3degree collimator (LC1-RS - http://www.ledil.com/datasheets/DataSheet_LC1.pdf) which seems like it should do a pretty good spot with limited spill/halo as well as a small 500mah driver.

I have a feeling this will be too bright, so can I just add a variable resistor to adjust the brightness? Would I put it before or after the driver?

Thanks for all your help everybody, its been really helpful. Those 2 articles linked above were very interesting too.