From time to time I seem to get the same questions repeated. So I decided to start a web page, with some of these questions. I wish I had written down all the questions I've heard, but, anyway, this is a start.

Question: With a flashlight using a Luxeon Star LED, what kind of battery life can I expect with the different battery sizes, 'D', 'C', 'AA'?

Answer:

I get about 24 hours of high brightness, and about 3 more days of useful light, from 3 'D' cells. This also depends on the amount of resistance used. These figures are with direct drive. It goes much longer when using from 1 to 3 ohms resistance.

I get about 12 hours of high brightness from 3 'c' cells, and a few days of useful light thereafter.

As I have stated, I get 6 - 8 hours of bright light from the 3 AA's, and another 16 hours or so of useful but gradually diminishing light.

These can vary, depending on the type of batteries used.

Even 3 AA's are vastly superior in battery life, compared to conventional 3 'D' cell flashlights.

I suppose the battery companies are not real excited about LED's taking off and getting popular. A set of 3 'D' cells would last for many days of use, instead of only an hour or two.

Question: I've never used or seen an LED flashlight before so I have no idea how bright these things. Since I want a white light I'm interested in the 1W flashlight for 3 D cells.

How would the 1W starlux compare to a D cell flashlights from MagLite?

I'm still a little confused what's the difference between a Blaster and the StarLux. You say both the Blaster and the StarLux can use both the 1W and the 5W. You say the StarLux is a retrofit to the Luxeon Star...what exactly does that mean? Thank you very much.

ANSWER:

The StarLux is an existing 3 D cell flashlight, which has been retrofitted with a Luxeon Star.

The Blaster is a flashlight of my own design. I am currently working out production of this flashlight. In particular, the switch rubber seal has set me back, as I wait for it's manufacure. The Blaster originally used 3 C cells, but I decided to go for 3 D cells as they cost about the same but deliver twice the battery life. In most every respect the Blaster is of top quality, of materials and construction. The StarLux is good quality, but not like the Blaster will be. The Blaster will cost more, too.

This is why I have 2 models right now.

After I had designed and started the manufacture process, Lumileds has come out with a new super bright LED, about 4 or 5 times brighter. It also uses a lot more power, and gets less battery life. This is why I feel there is a market for both. The 5 watt also has a higher voltage need, so I use 5 or 6 AA batteries in the 3 D cell flashlight body.

The 1 watt Luxeon Star is not as bright as the more common aluminum flashlights using a halogen bulb. However, what happens when you drop the flashlight with the halogen bulb, especially if it is on? How many days of battery use will you get from a typical and ordinary halogen bulb type flashlight?

For most situations where you would need a flashlight, the StarLux 1 watt would provide plenty of light, emitting form 18 to 27 lumens, and the battery life is about 72 hours. The 5 watt is super intense, and as bright or brighter than many halogen flashlights, as it is rated at 120 lumens!.

By the time you have used up a few sets of batteries, the 1 watt StarLux flashlight should have paid for itself.