Neptune Aquatics

LED Cree XP-G optics available

rygh

rygh

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For those DIY-ers doing LEDS, some good news.
Looks like Carclo optics has some good XP-G products finally.

(FYI for others : Getting lenses for the new XP-G LEDs has been a real problem)

Most are not one piece though. You need to buy the holder, and then the lens.
But it gives you added flexibility on the lens.
Holder is $0.22
A 40-degree wide ripple lens is $1.25
ledsupply link

They also have a holder+lens for the 3-up XP-G.
Only $1.50 for a 40-deg wide frosted, which is a good deal since it handles 3.
A 3-up Cree is $22.
Might be great for deeper tanks.


I have used ledsupply in the past. They are quick/efficient, although not always the cheapest.

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My bet is that you will see these optics soon in other places.

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I was also looking at the Carclo data sheet, and they have a new "Continuous Strip" product.
Basically one big long lens, that you cut as needed. Makes the LEDs look like a fluorescent tube.
Some advantages, but probably eliminates the shimmer, which I like.
 
Found another lens that may work as well.

lens link

It looks like it may work for both XP-E and XP-G.
Not normally possible for a small single lens.
But since it is a larger composite type lens, looks like it may work.

$1.59

Nice wide angle as well. 60-deg. More of what I was looking for.
 
With the BC, and the lights so low to the water level, you may want to stay away from the 40 to 60 deg optics. If XRE, run opticless. If XP_, then see if there is an 80deg optic
 
A side note on running optic-less:

The reflection of light is some fancy sine term of the angle. Sorry, I forget exactly.
But the important thing is that it is not a linear term.
So while angles of 0-40 deg are fine, if you get 60 and above, you start losing a lot of light.
- A 40-deg optic = +/- 20 deg = trivial amount reflected.
- But a optic-less is roughly 120 deg = +/- 60 deg = a lot more light reflected
I think 80 degrees was about where half of the light is reflected.

Maybe some more up on optics can chime in with the details. My old-fart memory is just too fuzzy.
 
FYI: I have partial-led on my small tank, and full LED on my turf scrubber, with no optics as well.
I plan on using a mixture of optics on the new tank.

The comment on reflection was really just to be fun and informative.
You may lose 15% of the light due to reflection, but you lose about the same by going through the optics.
So not like it really matters.

The main real reasons for optics:
1) So you can put your lights up above the tank.
2) Light stays away from the sides of the tank.
3) Light travels a shorter distance to bottom, so more efficient on a deeper tank.

Secondary effects: More of a point source, so more shimmer, and more shadows.
 
i bought my parts from rapidled.com . has everything you need for cheap and has kits. following a youtube how to video on how to put it together. also got the ALC modules for my Digital Aquatics controller. well see how it goes
 
good to see rapidled finally get the XP-G lenses (or at least one), being as they're based out of Oakland (apparently) its usually quick turnaround to get it at your door.
 
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