Amber Luxeon LEDs

[Robert Sewell]

Not being a fan of white LEDs (they wipe out my depth perception and night vision), I just ordered a couple of the new Luxeon Amber K2 LEDs to play with. They're about 2.3 watts (3.4 Vf at 700mA), and put out 75 lumens each, vs the 80 lumens of the 3 watt white Luxeons.

Does anyone have any experience with amber LEDs? Are they closer to incandescent bulbs in color? Are they easier on the eyes than the white LEDs?

[NZcaver]

I haven't used high-intensity amber LEDs for illumination per se, but I am familiar with them being used as warning lights on emergency/service vehicles.

It's a nice idea, but I doubt the ones you ordered will be as "easy on the eyes" as you hoped. The clusters of 1-watt amber LEDs used on vehicle lightbars are still fairly intense (as are the red, blue, and clear/white ones). Plus amber LEDs are a noticeably different color to clear/yellow incandescents - but who's to say? You might like the color anyway.

Post your findings - I'd be interested to hear how they work out.

[Scott McCrea]

I believe this is why FoxFury puts some green LEDs in their cluster. It neutralizes the harshness a bit.

[potholer]

One issue with an amber LED is that it isn't anything like a warm white light - the amber LED light is pretty much monochromatic, so colour discrimination using one will be as close to nonexistent as under orange (low-pressure sodium) street-lighting.
If the rock in a particular cave reflects the colour of light well, it may work, but there may be some things it is bad at lighting up.
As part of a mixed-light setup, it could be interesting, though, and I'd love to hear how you get on - good points and bad.

I wonder what one would look like lighting up vegetation when surface walking at night?

[Robert Sewell]

Well, keep an eye on this topic. I used regular postal shipping, so it may take a week or two to get them, then another week for me to test 'em, but I'll post my findings here.

[FoxFury]

Hello

Thanks Scott for the reference to our light.

FoxFury's Wildland Fire light uses four amber LEDs (mixed with 20 white LEDs) to provide the best rendition of an outdoor environment, which includes smoke and fire.

While amber LEDs will be more comfortable on the eyes, using ONLY amber LEDs may mask off some important edge details.

I hope this input helps you out.

Here is a link to our Wildland Fire light should anyone want more info: http://foxfury.com/products/signature_series/wildland_fire/wildland_fire.html

[NZcaver]

Robert - how did your amber Luxeons work out?

Last week, a friend showed me some "warm white" 1-watt side-emitting LEDs that he picked up to use as lighting on his boat. They're not genuine Luxeon's - but are closer in color to regular incandescant lights than the regular white LEDs, and might be the kind of light you're looking for.

Here's a link to where he got them (an electronics store in New Zealand, prices are in NZ$.) http://tinyurl.com/yjnrld I would imagine someone supplies the same items in the US too.

I also just received a link to a turquoise high-intensity LED design, which is kind-of interesting. http://www.instructables.com/id/E2K9BN5 ... /?ALLSTEPS

[fuzzy-hair-man]

A friend in our club made his own headlamp using 4 x 3 watt LEDs (warm white or amber not sure which) the light is considerablely more orange, it hasn't made me go looking for warm coloured LEDs, it looks too warm IMO but I don't mind the white LEDs so it might suit you.

We have Jaycar here too it's where above friend got his LEDs I think.

[potholer]

I don't think Lumileds make a warm white 3Watt, so I guess they were amber.

One thing I have noticed is the colour of white Luxeons seems to be a bit more consistent of late, though maybe that's just down to my small sampling size (~60 LEDs/year)
When I first started building lights, somewhat over half the 'white' LEDs I bought were basically white, most of the rest were noticeably yellowish, with the remainder blueish (apart from one that was distinctly mauve).
As far as I can remember, pretty much all the LEDs I've bought in the last year or more have been a fairly consistent white.