Are Current Freedom (RealTree Hardwood) using Nichia GS LED?

zdenka · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

Hi everyone, I'm looking to purchase some Photon Freedom lights today, and would like to confirm if they're using the latest Nichia GS leds (NSPW500GS-K1). And if so, what bins they are? Hopefully they're W-bins, 'cause I read that's the brightest. Very Happy

I've already owned Photon Freedom 'to the max', which uses the Nichia DS leds and am very impressed with the brightness!, but as always, I'm hoping to go one up, with the new purchases! hehehe Razz

Thanks in advance, guys! Laughing

bryan · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject:

Yes, the white beam Realtree Camo Freedom Micro currently uses the W-bin Nichia GS LED. This is the brightest currently available.

Bryan Avery
PhotonLight.com

Magnus · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 5

Hi Bryan,

will the standard black body freedom micro be using W-bin Nichia GS LED as well? And is the runtime similiar as the DS version?

Thanks

bryan · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:45 am Post subject:

Yes, to both of your questions. We have not seen any decrease in run-times with these newer LEDs. The newer LEDs seem to simply be more efficient, putting out more light with the same amount of power. All of the white beam Freedom Micro lights which we have in stock now feature the W-bin Nichia GS LED.

Bryan Avery
PhotonLight.com

Magnus · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 5

Bryan,

whats is the rated lifespan of the GS LED?

bryan · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject:

The LED is rated for 100,000 hours.

...which, if you're curious works out to at least 8000+ battery changes and $41K+ worth of replacement batteries.

Bryan Avery
PhotonLight.com

Magnus · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 5

Great to hear that! Read from somewhere that it only has around 3000 hours of life. Going to get one soon.

Thanks.

bryan · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject:

Hmm... well the 100k hour figure I quoted did not come directly from Nichia, but from another distributor's information, which of course may be be subject to error. There's also a lot of other variables may be harder to calculate; for example most typical flashlight usage runs the LEDs well above their standard rated specs which quite likely reduces lifespan somewhat. Figuring the lifespan of LEDs used in battery-operated flashlights has always been more of a theoretical excercise though, since even with heavy use most of these LEDs are unlikely to see even a tiny fraction of their rated lifespan.

In any case, LRI's warranty does cover the LEDs as well should one fail somehow.

Bryan Avery
PhotonLight.com

Magnus · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 5

Hi,

anyone know how many % brighter is the GS freedom micro as compared to the DS version?