Why color LEDs?

[moses]

Simple question for the many colored led fans on this forum.(i.e. cyan, blue, red etc.) A while back, we bought many dozens of the tiny Photon microlights in various shades. Well, the only color I ever wanted was white. All the other colors greatly limited color perception. I found that I had no use for colored leds.

Curious: What is it about colored leds that you guys find so useful? Or is it pure 'fun'? Sincere question.

Thanks!
Mo

 

[KC2IXE]

Because white LEDs are a kludge! The actual semiconductor junction of ANY LED produces a colored light - Red being the original, and probably most common. The light is monochromatic.

White light is made up of all colors. The way white LEDs work is that the LED generates a color (UV or blue), and then a phosphor converts the light to white (like a florescent tube) - White LEDs are inefficient - the other colors put out a LOT more light per watt than the white leds

 

[Carpe Diem]

Hi Mo...

I`m a big fan of colored LED`s, and the Arc AAA`s and the Arc LS`s in particular.

Two main reasons: (i) What I would call the "WOW" factor...people I show the colored LED flashlights to are always impressed by them, and (ii) they`re just so much fun to use, always bringing a smile to my face.

Also, if your primary goal is just to see objects in the dark, whether around the house or outdoors (such as hunting or hiking, etc.), the colored LED`s give you a really nice range of colors to do it with. The turquoise or blue, for instance, seem to be "brighter" for that kind of task, while you can always use a red LED if you want to better save your night vision.

Having said all of that, I do agree with you in that when I have to use a flashlight for reading or a more serious task, I usually pick one with a nice white beam.

That`s why for me, though, it`s not an "either-or" choice, but rather a "I must have both" situation!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[moses]

Thanks for all the responses so far. (Thought I'd check before turning in for the night.) Makes sense although I'd say that I have a hard time enjoying a mono-chormatic light simply because I really want to see all the colors when I use a flashlight. One color in particular even gives me headaches when I use it... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif


Your reasoning makes sense - different utility.
Mo

 

[Kiessling]

yeah CarpeDiem!
must have all !!! all !!!!

and moses, which color gives you the headache?
for me it is cyan after workling about 10-20 minutes with bright cyan light. amber is ok for me.

bernhard

 

[darkgear.com]

[ QUOTE ]
Carpe Diem said:
Two main reasons: (i) What I would call the "WOW" factor...people I show the colored LED flashlights to are always impressed by them, and (ii) they`re just so much fun to use, always bringing a smile to my face.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah its too bad these are discontinued...

 

[Carpe Diem]

I agree 100% Darkgear...and what a great picture!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Jonathan]

I like white light and colored LEDs as well...that's why I built this:

[/ QUOTE ]

It actually casts a pretty nice white flood, but if you move your finger in front of it, you get nifty colored shadows.

-Jon

 

[darkgear.com]

Another Picture. AAA fire /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[darkgear.com]

Oh lets not forget the incredible GITD charging power of the RB LS. A RB Luxeon will charge up GITD powder in a fraction of the time it takes any other color light including SFs with HOLAs.

Best regards,
Randy