Multi LED's vs Single

Hey guys, how does the lumen thing work with Multi LED's vs a single? Is a tri led running at 200 lumens each just as bright as a single running at 600 lumens? Could be a dumb question, I would think 2x3 is 6 but I'm not sure how it shows up visually.

Great question! I'll be following this one. 👍

it all depends on the emitter and the reflector(s). Max lumens nowadays are done multi emitter as even the most stout XM-L2 U4 is only good for say up to 1200 lumens thats as hard as it can be pushed hence lights like the TK75 with 3 and now 4 XM-L2 U2's each pushing 1000 lumens. Another example of emitter and lumen power is how you use said lumen power. Take the TK61 for instance. It is a HUGE light with a single emitter 1000 lumens for a solid hour it has crazy throw range due to the single HUGE reflector it uses. The TK75 despite the big head has now 4 smaller reflectors one for each emitter and despite being 4000 lumens it only kicks 102000 candela. Crees technical info page is a great source of info. Max lumens per specific emitter is all there from old XM-L's to new XM-L2 U4's and the XP-L. They are highly efficient now with the de dome craze one can do much more with less lumens or make 1000 lumens that could only do X before be able to do spill and crazy throw now.

SuPpAvIlLiN said:

..........Is a tri led running at 200 lumens each just as bright as a single running at 600 lumens?.........

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Ya, 600 lumens is 600 lumens, however the 3 LEDs will not be focused like a single LED in a single reflector. Thus the 3 LED's will look more floody. I don't think it makes economic sense to have 3 LEDs at a level that is below their capability........just use one LED in that case. So most lights that use 3 LEDs is because they are trying to get more lumens out than can be done by a single LED.

SuPpAvIlLiN said:

Hey guys, how does the lumen thing work with Multi LED's vs a single? Is a tri led running at 200 lumens each just as bright as a single running at 600 lumens? Could be a dumb question, I would think 2x3 is 6 but I'm not sure how it shows up visually.

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All I know is what goes out the front and in the end, is reflected back to my eyes. It's all about the math.



Nitecore TM16.

Since lumens is a measurement of the total amount of light being emitted, yes, the output of multiple leds adds. As CelticCross74 was stating, a more relevant measurement is candelas, which is a measurement of how much light is falling on a given object. The more candelas, the brighter the reflected light, and logically, the further away it can be seen. Candelas are mainly a function of the reflector/lens setup used by the light. As an example, yesterday I compared the beam from my trusty TM11 and my new TM16, at roughly the same lumen output of 2000 lumens. The four reflectors used in the TM16 produce a much tighter beam than the three used in the TM11. The result, a smaller, brighter hot spot in the center of the beam. That is one of the reasons we are always calling for comparison beam shots when a new light appears.

Given a fixed amount of current 3 leds will put out more lumens than the 1 led. Example a Cree XM-L2 U2 puts out 469 lumens at 1 amp so three running at one amp each would collectively put out 1407 lumen. A single Cree XM-L2 U2 at three amps put out only 1123 lumens. Flip side is that with a given head size more emitters equals more flood less throw.

Ok thanks a lot guys. Very good replays.
So, In the end, multi LED's is for a flood, that's what I figured. I just bought a custom angle light for pure flood. Decided to go with triple led's with a wide angle carclo lends. And boy is it a flood machine, when I saw it, I was like now that! Is flood. Thanks guys.