9 degree ledil lens

[Spiritchaser]

C11916_SATU-S Ledil 9 Degree 21.8 mm Circular Beam Optic - Integrated Legs

Has anyone tried the above instead of the more normal 18 degree tri led optics? Just curious about qualitative anicdata really...

Or is there some really good reason not to try...

[QUI-GON JINN]

At 21.8mm in.diameter, it may be just a bit to large to fit most of the led holders and heatsink assemblies we currently use, bit I'm certain here are ways around that.  ;)

[Wilbur]

I wonder if it would make any difference.  They are also made of acrylic instead of polycarbonate.  Do we know if anyone has tried one?

[Spiritchaser]

I have a few now and once the parts are all in for my next three sabers I'll see which looks better... Don't hold your breath though, could easily be july before I'm done.

[Wilbur]

Funny enough, I decided to check on this thread today...and it happens to be July.  I hope your work is coming along.  I just have a couple more parts to get together for mine!

[Spiritchaser]

I have three tri leds I've tried these on so far.

I don't have data at this point, just anecdotes:

1. These fit tri-cree less than perfectly. Yes they can be made to fit, ( and it appears that even fitting imperfectly the ends of long blades are more evenly lit, but I can't determine if they are absolutely brighter than the ends of conventional 18 degree optics that fit better.)

2. They seem to color mix differently. On a r-o/lime/lime rebel, the 9 degree seemed better in end to end light evenness, brightness and mixing than the 18. On a rb/rb/red... I can't make up my mind, it can look weird sometimes.

3. I cannot comment on compatibility with most other parts, I make my heat sinks on a lathe, and drill out schedule 80 pipe for blade holders, so I can just make things fit as needed.

[mikestar007]

Sounds like they could be better! Comparison pictures would be very cool!

[Spiritchaser]

I may have some time Sunday night to take some, failing that it'll be a while... Maybe a week and a half before the next night without the kids.

They would much prefer to bash me with their sabers than fuss with photographing work in process.

I'm just fine with that



I'll have to figure out how to post pics here too.

[Wilbur]

Hmm what seems to keep it from fitting trip crees well?

After poking my nose around I found this from another seemingly new forum: OMG I am blind

The op there doesn't mention not fitting the star, but it may not fit some blade holders.  Looks nice  8)

[Spiritchaser]

The domes of the cree dies are larger than the rebels... The 9 degree lens doesn't sit nicely on the star, and there is a modest band where the led die shines out laterally without passing throug the lens.

For a royal blue, the improvement (if any) of the 9 degree optic over the 18 degree optic might be more than the delta between a cree and that rebel (the two are close). For a red, or green the cree is so much brighter it doesn't matter. I can't speak for other colors.

Looks great on a color mixed orange from a lime and an orange.

Limes are very very bright though...

[ARKM]

Cool info.  Thanks for posting.