A question for the experts.

At the current rate of tecnological advancements how many years will it take for LED to surpass HID in total output,throw, etc..in a hand held flashlight?


Michael

Multi-emitter arrays can do that currently if you have enough. But if you mean a single LED, then not for a long time. You have to realize, HID's do use 3-25 times the power of most current power LEDs. Also, most HID lights are "handheld", but not particularly easily.

Hi MIKES250R! Welcome to cpf. Does the 250R stand for the Ninja 250R? I used to have one that I picked up for $900 from a friend when I was in college. It was a fun bike, even though it was not near as fast as others I have had the privalage to have fun with.

To your question. My C2 cree light reminds me much of my old 10 watt hid light in color and output. I have never had or even seen in real life the 24-50 hid lights. I think it will be a few years before leds get to that level (if they do) but they have made me retire all my incans. (up to 550 bulb lumans)

So, your question really involves what kind of hid you are talking about. 10 watts...pretty close, X990 not there yet.

I'm going to estimate/guestimate that a 25+Watt emitter with an efficiency high enough to be practical (for heat dissipation issues), with a smallish point source (1-2mm^2) is about 12-20 years out.

I previously raced a TRX250R atv. My wife and I decided I better give up racing since I have two small children and the fact that I am the only bread winner in leu of her being in law school. I am a wound care specialist RN and need to get around on two good legs if I am to make any cabbage.

I guess to be more specific about my original question I wonder when single emiter leds will match output of single HID lamps watt for watt in consumption versus output. This is such an exciting time in flashlight history with the advent of cree and seoul based emitters. One can only hope or dream of whats in the near future for led and hid technology and who knows incandescents are not dead yet.

I am on the preorder for thr Lumapower MRV so I can't wait to see how it does against my 10W microfire. I know its not a fair comparison but still its fun.


Michael