Reflectors -vs- Lenses

[Rahz]

One possible way of determining the effect of heat from the glass would be to take readings from lens and reflector just as the lamps are turned on, then again after they've been warmed up.

 

[Mathematix]

Here is a small scale test

Brand new Ledil 90*= 792µmols
2+ month old ledil after cleaning= 776µmols
New Ledil with brand new diffuser lens 728µmols
New Ledil with brand new PLC flat lens= 794µmols...I tested it over and over.

Brand new KB 80*= 763
2+ month old KB 80 after cleaning= 708µmol

Center readings at 11" from the sensors to LES with a 3070. Reflector cleaned with soapy water. Lens cleaned with soapy water, alcohol, and windex with the best results shown above, being windex.

I don't want any official conclusions from that but for me was enough to keep me on my path.


I have been getting some custom lenses. They are good. Some are great and near 100% transmittance(in test above). You might think if you can get glass that is so good why use both...why not use just the great glass in a lens form. But I still prefer reflector's more diffused distributes light vs collimated from a focusing lens for total light delivered. My lenses are for effective protection, while still relying on the reflector for the light distribution pattern.

Custom glass lens over ledil reflector...
View attachment 3619829 View attachment 3619830

Ledils own diffuser lens...work very well, plus cheap and lightweight.
View attachment 3619831
Here are some of the Ledil RZ lenses...
http://www.pacificlightconcepts.com/product/ledil-rz-diffuser-lens/

Weight of glass is always an issue compared to a poly. Even with thin flat lenses like I've been using. But any kind of focus/collimation adds weight fast.

did these lenses ever come through?

 

[Greengenes707]

did these lenses ever come through?

Not for the Ledil's. We designed our own built in reflectors and made lenses for them.

 

[Bill Lidgate]

Most all glass lens I have seen are very poorly engineered and without the use of really high grade ultra clear borosilicate (rare) they absorb 5-7% of the light and heat quite a bit. Also I have some 4:1 blurple 50W COBs and the colors do not blend in the std Chinese glass 44mm lenses, there are distinct red and blue zones. A good reflector is very efficient and blends the individual LEDs better IME. Ledils are silly expensive for plastic (too fragile) but well designed at least.