SMJLED PR2 replacements?

[pizzaman]

I just used up my last SMJLED PR2 bulb today and need more. I went back to Lambda's site and see that they are sold out.

So far, it looks like there are not any current retail sources for the original SMJLED PR2 bulb (4 die).

I did over an hour of searching for replacement options here at the forums and am getting a bit discouraged. The single die replacements do not appear to have near the battery runtime of the 4 die bulb. (Not to mention some heated threads on possible bulb life problems). The Nite-Ize drop in has stupendous runtime, but the output is very low (I've tried these).

Are there any current production PR2 drop in LEDs that will match the output and battery runtime of the classic 4 die SMJLED PR2?

Thank you, TR

 

[Oddjob]

Don't know if these are 4 die. Sorry if you have already seen these.

http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/product_info.php?products_id=868

 

[Skibane]

The Sandwich Shoppe also still seems to have the bare, uncut 4-die LEDs in stock (link here), if you're inclined to roll your own PR bulb conversions. Direct-driven with two fresh 1.5 volt cells, the brightness ain't too shabby...

 

[Burgess]

As a long-time fan of the SMJLED-PR2 bulbs from Lambda,

i would sure like to see another production run of these.


Or . . . .


How about a new, improved, updated version,

utilizing the latest CREE, or SSC, or Rebel emitter !



And (while they're at it), make it "multi-cell" capable.

That is, able to run on 2 thru 4 cells. (at least).



And remember . . . . (very important)

Please stress LONG RUNTIME,

rather than HIGH BRIGHTNESS.


This was the biggest advantage of the SMJLED.

 

[Sigman]

I'll check my stash...

 

[LEDninja]

Lighthound claims he is still selling the original ARCmania 4 die.
http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1768

Other options:
superbrightleds PR2-W1-WVR LED FlashLight bulb. At $5 the lowest cost. Floody beam (most of the light is focussed by the front of the LED instead of the reflector) Sort of like a 1-3 cell version of the Nite-ize. International customers face a $25 minimum order.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=LIGHTS
TerraLUX TLE-20 Comes in 2 parts LED module and bulb base. May come apart in rough handling.
http://www.led-replacement.com/tle-20.html
Tektite LPR-2™ Two Cell LED-Replacement bulb Some artifacts in hotspot, ringy beam.
http://www.led-replacement.com/lpr-2.html
TerraLUX TLE-1F Donut hole hotspot.
http://www.led-replacement.com/tle-1f.html
The EverLED™ Classic
http://www.led-replacement.com/eve03011w.html
Try Sears. They have the Dorcy vario power LED upgrade bulb. Note the Dorcy bulb will fry if used with a reverse polarity lantern.
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=155671

Battery junction has a sale on Terralux bulbs but higher international shipping costs negate the lower prices. Great for US customers though.
http://www.batteryjunction.com/tle-1f.html
http://www.batteryjunction.com/mifledupform.html

If You have 222 screw based flashlights
http://www.led-replacement.com/tle-1s.html

 

[carbine15]

Light hound is NOT selling the 4-die version.. Ask me how I know.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

The original SMJLED PR2 bulb (4 die) were amongst the best of these type,
They were very popular,

 

[pizzaman]

LEDninja,

That is a great list. Thank you for posting.

I am familiar with most of the bulbs and for my needs they suffer from two show stoppers. The run time is significantly less than the SMJLED PR2, and the prices run from 2-6 times the cost of the SMJLED. I just have trouble dropping a $30 EverLED in a $5 flashlight.

I'm probably just spoiled. The SMJLED PR2 4 die struck such a perfect balance of runtime, brightness, and cost that is is hard to go back.

The PR2-W1-WVR LED is the most intriguing at $5, but I haven't seen any brightness or runtime tests for this yet. Time to scour the archives again.

Thanks again, TR

 

[pizzaman]

Well...

I have ordered 2 of the SS SMJLEDs, 2 of the WPR3s from eBay, and 2 of the PR2-W1-WVR LEDs.

Anyone know if the ArcMania Super MJ LED PR2 are the same as the Sandwich Shopper SMJLED PR2s?

Time to experiment a bit. I am trying to upgrade some 2AA bike lights to have decent brightness and runtime. If I have to I'll pull the old 4 die bulbs out of my 2D/2C lights and replace them with these newer options.

TR

 

[DonShock]

I have some 4 die spares, PM sent.

 

[pizzaman]

I have some 4 die spares, PM sent.

Sold! PM sent.

TR

 

[Cydonia]

The Nite-Ize drop in has stupendous runtime, but the output is very low (I've tried these).

MattK of batteryjunction recently dropped a bombshell by saying that Nite Ize has recently doubled their output. I've searched and tried to find this to quote but couldn't. It was in the last 2 weeks though... ask him again to confirm this!
I have 4 of these new Nite Ize and they are really nice. Got em' in the tail caps of all my Mags...

 

[gunga]

I'm looking for some PR2 replacements too.

So, anyone else have any 4 die ones?

Cydonia, are the nite-ize ones brighter than before?

 

[pizzaman]

Cydonia,

The original Nite-Ize is pretty dim, but does have a niche for loooooong runtime.

I have these bulbs in severa D and AA Dorcy dome lanterns. I use clear spray paint to frost the clear dome for more even/wide output. I plan to use these as long running room lights during power outages.

It would be nice if they could make a more efficient version that puts out more light, but still has the superb runtime.

TR

 

[LEDninja]

Anyone know if the ArcMania Super MJ LED PR2 are the same as the Sandwich Shopper SMJLED PR2s?

Nope. The ArcMania Super MJ LED PR2 I got from Lighthound (I got them early in the game so they are probably the 4-die) is a cool white. The SS PR is a warm white. Also the Sandwich Shoppe uses their own boost circuit. Too powerful in the 1st batch. Read somewhere the current to the LED has dropped from above 70mA to 55mA in later models.

What I like about the SMJLED PR and SS PR is they will focus properly in any light I throw them in. None of the other ones do. I don't have an EverLED so I don't know how that focus.

 

[pizzaman]

Just a quick update on the bulbs-

I placed my order for several different bulbs on Friday. Monday morning I have already received the WPR3s from eBay. Billy (ebay roostrfsh) was friendly and had the bulbs in the mail the same day.

I did a quick test in a Rayovac Workhorse 2C flashlight with weak alkaline batteries. It had a sick orange beam with the stock incan bulb. The WPR3 had very nice overall output. The color was almost white with the slightest hint of pale blue. Much nicer than the purple cast of some of the other PR2 replacement bulbs.

TR

 

[gunga]

pizzaman, any comments about the SS PR2 bulbs? I'm looking to pick some up and would like some feedback. Interested in runtimes, brightness etc...

 

[pizzaman]

gunga,

I am still waiting for the PR2-W1-WVR LED, and the SS SMJLEDs to arrive.

TR

 

[pizzaman]

Sorry for the long delay.

I didn't do a good job of keeping the bulbs separated after arrival. The SS SMJLEDs and the WPR3s from eBay seem to be the same bulb. They look the same and output is identical. I put 2 of each into 4 "Planet Bike", bike lights and all look the same. The output is whiter than the original Super MJ LED PR2 (which had a subtle purple tint). I think these new bulbs are an improvement in output, but don't know how they do with runtime vs. the older Super MJ LED PR2. I don't like the lens on the the "Planet Bike" bike light, so I used some clear contact paper as a diffuser. The result is a long running bike light with a nice combo of throw and flood.

The PR2-W1-WVR LEDs are pure flood. Not what I wanted for a bike light. They have a large dome and look more like a standard flashlight bulb or a Nite-Ize Mag-lite replacement. They have made a new home in my military angle-head flashlights. These lights are perfect flood light candidates (with the extension tube removed) for long running work lights or area lights. I still have the clear contact paper diffuser on these, but with the flood of this bulb I'm not so sure it is needed.

Hope this helps, TR