Flashlights come in several geometries: a straight tube, a tube with what I will call a tulip head,
with a reflector that looks like a cup, and a tube with a flat flared face. Probably there are others. My
question is: what does the geometry tell you about the behavior of the beam? What is the difference
in performance between a deep cup and shallow cup? Suppose I want a certain throw or spill shape --
like a very long throw or a very wide spill. What should I expect the lights capable of either to look like?
On a related matter -- Do real flashlights have lenses that actively shape the beam or is it all done with
reflector design? Are there trends of some sort on this issue??
with a reflector that looks like a cup, and a tube with a flat flared face. Probably there are others. My
question is: what does the geometry tell you about the behavior of the beam? What is the difference
in performance between a deep cup and shallow cup? Suppose I want a certain throw or spill shape --
like a very long throw or a very wide spill. What should I expect the lights capable of either to look like?
On a related matter -- Do real flashlights have lenses that actively shape the beam or is it all done with
reflector design? Are there trends of some sort on this issue??