Lambda Illuminator HD

User Modification: Lambda Illuminator HD (Luxeon + DC-DC)
$TBA, see below for availability & additional info.
Manufactured by Kevin Fritz ("Lambda" on CPF)
Last updated 11-20-09




The Lambda Illuminator HD is a custom modification of a Brinkmann Legend 2x AA flashlight, modified by Lambda of Candlepower Forums.
Inside the flashlight's head is a HD (high dome) Luxeon Star LED emitter, and a DC-DC inverter "pill", powered by a pair of standard AA cells. The LS LED is focused by the flashlight's reflector, and is protected by a replaceable glass lens.
The "HD" in the flashlight's name means "High Dome", the type of Luxeon Star LED that is used. This LED works better with reflectors than LD (Low Dome) LEDs do. Lambda chooses only the best LEDs for his modifications, and it shows when you shine an Illuminator HD around.


SIZE



The Lambda Illuminator HD came to me almost ready to rock; yours probably will too. If yours did not come with cells installed, install them first (see below) and then you'll be ready to go.

The sample came to me with one of the cells intentionally installed backward, so there was absolutely no chance it could come on in the mail.

To use the Lambda Illuminator HD, press lightly on the tailcap to turn the light on in momentary mode; hold it that way to keep the light on for as long as you hold it. To shut the Illuminator HD off, simply release the tailcap, and your light should go off.

For continuous mode, press the tailcap more firmly until it clicks; the flashlight will then stay on without further intervention from you. Press the tailcap the same way until it clicks again to turn the light off.

The flashlight has a LOTC (Lock Out TailCap) function. This prevents the light from turning on by itself when the switch is inadvertently pressed, such as when it is packed in a box or camping kit. To use this function, first be sure the flashlight is turned off. Then, turn the black plastic portion of the tailcap clockwise (as if tightening it) approximately 1/8 of a turn until it clicks into place. To disengage the LOTC function, turn the tailcap counterclockwise (as if loosening it) approximately 1/8 of a turn until it clicks. Then you can use the flashlight normally.



The Illuminator HD uses a pair of AA cells; these were already installed in the sample I received.

To change the batteries, unscrew the tailpiece and throw it out - OH WAIT, YOU'LL NEED THAT!!! So just set it aside instead. ;-) Tip the two dead AA cells out of the barrel, and dispose of or recycle them as you see fit. Insert two new AA cells into the barrel, button (+) end first, then screw the tailpiece back on.
Aren't you glad you didn't throw that tailpiece away now? ;-)

Measures 960mA (0.96 amps) between the barrel and battery (-) terminal.
Meter was set on the 20A scale to help minimise shunt resistance error.



The Illuminator HD is a durable instrument that should provide you with years of service. It passed my whack test - ten whacks against a steel rod (five on the tailcap, five on the bezel) with no malfunctions or damage.

The Illuminator HD is at very minimum weather-resistant. When I removed the tailcap, relieved the flashlight of its batteries, and then performed that dreadful suction test, no leakage was detected. When the tailcap was tested in a similar fashion, it did leak. So try not to drop the flashlight into water or water-like liquids, or it might flood through the tailcap.

There is a ribbed rubber or rubber-like material on the barrel and on the bezel; this helps to aid in retention (the ability to hold the flashlight when your hands are cold, wet, or oily), so I don't think you'll have any problems that way.



Beam photograph at ~12".
Measures an incredible 759,000mcd using a Meterman LM631 light meter.
Color temperature is a bit on the cool (bluish) side, coming in at around 6500°K.
But this light has a nice white color, with no yellow or "rotten cat urine green" to it.


Spectrographic plot
Spectrographic analysis of the LED in this flashlight.


Spectrographic plot
Same as above; newer spectrometer software & settings used.
USB2000 spectrometer graciously donated by P.L.



TEST NOTES:
Test units of the Lambda Illuminator HD and three other Lambda mods were received on 01-31-04
Illuminator HD came with two Energizer AA cells already installed, and four additional Energizer AA cells in a seperate package.

Please visit the website and ask Lambda (Kevin Fritz) about ordering these flashlights. I just review flashlights here; I do not sell them.


UPDATE: 00-00-00



PROS:
Durable
Weather-resistant (not waterproof)
Never have to change a bulb again


CONS:
Not waterproof or submersible


    Light is of a homemade nature and will not be rated like a commercial flashlight.





Lambda Illuminator HD * http://home.mchsi.com/~lambda/il2.htm






Do you manufacture or sell an LED flashlight, task light, utility light, or module of some kind? Want to see it tested by a real person, under real working conditions? Do you then want to see how your light did? If you have a sample available for this type of real-world, real-time testing, please contact me at ledmuseum@gmail.com.

Please visit this web page for contact information.



Unsolicited flashlights, LEDs, and other products appearing in the mail are welcome, and it will automatically be assumed that you sent it in order to have it tested and evaluated for this site.
Be sure to include contact info or your company website's URL so visitors here will know where to purchase your product.


WHITE 5500-6500K InGaN+phosphor 
ULTRAVIOLET 370-390nm GaN 
BLUE 430nm GaN+SiC
BLUE 450 and 473nm InGaN
BLUE Silicon Carbide
TURQUOISE 495-505nm InGaN
GREEN 525nm InGaN 
YELLOW-GREEN 555-575mn GaAsP & related
YELLOW 585-595nm
AMBER 595-605nm
ORANGE 605-620nm
ORANGISH-RED 620-635nm
RED 640-700nm
INFRARED 700-1300nm
True RGB Full Color LED
Spider (Pirrahna) LEDs
SMD LEDs
True violet (400-418nm) LEDs
Agilent Barracuda & Prometheus LEDs
Oddball & Miscellaneous LEDs
Programmable RGB LED modules / fixtures
Where to buy these LEDs 
Links to other LED-related websites
The World's First Virtual LED Museum
Legal horse puckey, etc.
RETURN TO OPENING/MAIN PAGE
LEDSaurus (on-site LED Mini Mart)



This page is a frame from a website.
If you arrived on this page through an outside link,you can get the "full meal deal" by clicking here.