Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
LS3 ~= LS5? (latest \"5w\" design)
As you know, Arc produced the first production flashlight to use a 5W LED back in January. This was a limited run because I don't feel the lumileds 5W part is ready for primetime yet. The run time is still rated by the manufacturer at 1,000 hours. Compare this to the 100k hours for their 1 watt parts.
Recently, Lumileds has indicated that in Q3, they will increase the rating to 50k hours.
I think 50k hours is sufficient for us to re-introduce the Arc-LS with the 5w emitter. The increased hour rating combined with our underdriving of the part will make the light durable enough to last a lifetime. I also would combine the improved emitter with our new LS4 technology.
The goal is to create a light for use by LEOs, search and rescue, military, etc. This light is not intended to be an EDC as much as a mission committed light. The light will not replace the LS4 as that is intended to be our premier pocket/EDC light.
The result of the new emitter and LS4 technology would be the LS5. The LS5 would drive the 5w emitter at about 3 watts in level 4 (L4) and close to 5watts in boost mode. The form factor would be the large pocket light with a 2x123 battery. The housing and optics would be enlarged to further optimize the LS5 efficiency. Delivery date is still very sketchy at this point because it is dependant on our LS4 progress and on Lumiled's release of the improved emitter. However, I would love to have this ready in time for Christmas.
I should repeat that this is still very prelimenary. It could be delayed. The light could be dissapointing. It could be outrageously expensive. It is too soon to say.
Btw, I wanted to comment on a disturbing trend I have seen in how flashlights with 5watt emitters are referenced. Manufacturers are calling these lights "5 watters" when in fact, most are never being driven at 5 actual watts. Many I have seen are in the 2-4 watt range. The LS5 is not a true, "5 Watt" flashlight in my opinion. Yes, it will probally drive the emitter at 5 watts in boost mode, but it is really a 3 watt flashlight. In fact, I am not totally comfortable with calling it the LS5 because this will be confusing. I can't call it the LS3 either. So I am interested in your suggestions on what to call this unit.
We still have a lot of work to do with the LS4 over the next couple of months!
Peter Gransee
As you know, Arc produced the first production flashlight to use a 5W LED back in January. This was a limited run because I don't feel the lumileds 5W part is ready for primetime yet. The run time is still rated by the manufacturer at 1,000 hours. Compare this to the 100k hours for their 1 watt parts.
Recently, Lumileds has indicated that in Q3, they will increase the rating to 50k hours.
I think 50k hours is sufficient for us to re-introduce the Arc-LS with the 5w emitter. The increased hour rating combined with our underdriving of the part will make the light durable enough to last a lifetime. I also would combine the improved emitter with our new LS4 technology.
The goal is to create a light for use by LEOs, search and rescue, military, etc. This light is not intended to be an EDC as much as a mission committed light. The light will not replace the LS4 as that is intended to be our premier pocket/EDC light.
The result of the new emitter and LS4 technology would be the LS5. The LS5 would drive the 5w emitter at about 3 watts in level 4 (L4) and close to 5watts in boost mode. The form factor would be the large pocket light with a 2x123 battery. The housing and optics would be enlarged to further optimize the LS5 efficiency. Delivery date is still very sketchy at this point because it is dependant on our LS4 progress and on Lumiled's release of the improved emitter. However, I would love to have this ready in time for Christmas.
I should repeat that this is still very prelimenary. It could be delayed. The light could be dissapointing. It could be outrageously expensive. It is too soon to say.
Btw, I wanted to comment on a disturbing trend I have seen in how flashlights with 5watt emitters are referenced. Manufacturers are calling these lights "5 watters" when in fact, most are never being driven at 5 actual watts. Many I have seen are in the 2-4 watt range. The LS5 is not a true, "5 Watt" flashlight in my opinion. Yes, it will probally drive the emitter at 5 watts in boost mode, but it is really a 3 watt flashlight. In fact, I am not totally comfortable with calling it the LS5 because this will be confusing. I can't call it the LS3 either. So I am interested in your suggestions on what to call this unit.
We still have a lot of work to do with the LS4 over the next couple of months!
Peter Gransee
