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scudinc said:
You don't need a stippled reflector with LEDs. Why people like it is beyond my comprehension.
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I think this is a generalization. My XM3s have minor beam artifacts (smooth reflector). My Streamlight 3AA Luxs have moderate artifacts (smooth reflector). My Terra-Lux Mini-Star-2s have extreme artifacts--terrible beam quality, and smooth reflector. Granted, the Terralux is a side-emitter which may be part of the problem. My EverLEDs produced bad (but NOT terrible) beam quality until I added an LDF lens. The list of smooth reflectors that have LEDs as a light source that produce at least minor artifacts goes on and on, I'm just naming the ones that stand out the most to me in my collection.
I guess its personal preference. Some want throw and don't mind losing beam quality. Others want (as near perfect as possible) beam quality and don't mind losing a little throw. I happen to not care about throw--an ugly beam that goes for doesn't do ME much good, my opinion says.