what's so bad about 5mm LEDs?

[minster9]

  My 2 year old led headlamp w/10 18,000 mcd leds guided me to the wood pile & back tonight many times. Ratshack headlamp conversion micropuck & 2 AAs. It's cool; I strap it around my head & I can still wear my cap. If only I can get the wireless PS tweaked So,what happens when a coal of sappy wood snaps out of the fire & is on a course for your retina,a rebel,or a 5mm. I think they mark a point in time when the technology  radically changed to make room for lighting that could compete w/flourescent. Where's the the lenses for the rebels? Encapsulation like the "old" 5mm? Except you'd need a DAMNED GOOD HEAT CONDUCTIVE board w/sink on back side :chug:It's an economical matter. Hopefully,the educated idiots will take notice of prior work involving the 5mm,it's been done already. peace.

[justDIY]

there's plenty of optical solutions on the market now for the rebel.  check the Future catalog under "Polymer Optics" and "CTP Coil" ... there is one other company, I can't recall their name right now.

[minster9]

  I just checked on one of my favorite led suppliers & noticed they're offering 27k mcd 15 degree 5mm leds for 2 bucks apiece,buck and a half for 10 or more(cool white). What's the catch? Are the leads wider? Room temperature superconductors? Or maybe some phosphors that degrade rapidly? I started out years ago w/the 5mm leds,they're so easy to work with. I like the rebels,but if they're gonna scew us on the optics,whats the difference? 

[justDIY]

I just checked on one of my favorite led suppliers & noticed they're offering 27k mcd 15 degree 5mm leds for 2 bucks apiece,buck and a half for 10 or more(cool white). What's the catch? Are the leads wider? Room temperature superconductors? Or maybe some phosphors that degrade rapidly? I started out years ago w/the 5mm leds,they're so easy to work with. I like the rebels,but if they're gonna scew us on the optics,whats the difference? 

Why do you feel you're getting "screwed" on optics? 

Anything more than 25 cents for a 3/5mm led is a rip off plain and simple.  I doesn't matter how many lies and half-truths are put into it.

[minster9]

Where does one get optics for the rebels & how much are they? As far as I know,a company in UK & another in Germany are making them. Can't find them over here. Probably cost at least as much as the emitters,anyway. We're paying for the new machinery,R&D,marketing,etc. I'm done pissing around w/the rebels for quite awhile,I've met my portable lighting requirements.

[justDIY]

you can buy optics from the same vendor you bought the rebels from.

the problem is, Future's website is terrible in terms of searching for anything.  My best recommendation is to use the 800# they have provided ... find the optics you like with google, and then call Future up and have a sales droid find it in their catalog for you.

here is one solution:

http://www.componentsuperstore.com/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductIdentifier=10237CTPCOIL9831298

that is an optics holder, for more or less "standard" 20mm optics.  it's just a plastic thing with a square hole in the bottom and a round hole in the top. here are some of the optics that will fit into the holder:

http://www.componentsuperstore.com/Store/InCategoryFullTextFilteringSearch.aspx?Keywords=CTP+COIL&SearchType=Keywords&CategoryName=41104020201&ManufacturerName=CTP+COIL

you are correct however, the optics do cost as much or more than the rebels themselves.

[BVnursery]

55k mcd white and much higher.... ~140,000k mcd,  10mm  are always available on ebay. 
The 55's are 5mm and cost me about 30 cents delivered each.

that was posted last year.   27Kmcd for $2 ??

[minster9]

you're right.BV,they're sure as hell ain't worth 2 bucks. Never be near as efficient as emitters,but they are easy for the beginner to tinker with. I've never e-bayed before,guess I oughtta start.