S42/43 Nichia 219c Any other options for High CRI?

I have looked around and am thinking the Astrolux S42/43 is probably the best choice for high CRI in this price range (39ish CAD). Just wondering if anyone knows of other lights or other LEDs with high CRI (or higher?) in a similar price range. (Or maybe higher?)

From what I could find on forums I believe the S42/43 both have the Nichia 219c 90+ CRI, anyone know if that is correct?

The C9nvoy S2+ with Biscotti is now available in high CRI emitters, 219c and the Luminus SST-20. I have the 219c one, I think it was only ~$15 US.

On the Astrolux models I like the S41 better than the 42 (goofy UI,) haven’t used the 43 but it looks good. There are also Manker branded vdrsions out there.

I think the FW3A will have a high CRI Option soon. The Emisar lights are also available with high CRI emitters. I’m sure others will mention more.

Yeah I was considering the S41 as well. What do you think about the Nichia 219b vs 219c? From what I have read, it just seems that the 219c is more efficient and brighter? They have the same or similar CRI, I think.

I will check out those other lights, thanks for the suggestions.

FWIW, the Astrolux S42 is almost never the best choice. It was a huge failure which prompted some pretty big changes in how the company operates.

Also, 219B generally makes a nicer beam than 219C, but it’s nowhere near as bright. And both are a bit old, so many people have switched to LH351D or SST-20. All except the 219B have a tendency to look a bit green though, at low levels. They don’t really get white until they’re turned up pretty high. So now there’s an ongoing debate about whether tint or CRI is more important, with some people preferring medium-CRI lights with good tint, and others preferring high-CRI lights with green tint.

The most reliable choice might be an Emisar D4. Just be careful not to start any fires with it.

Hm interesting. I was looking at the specs sheet for the SST-20 on paper it has really impressive CRI. But I had no idea about the tint, not sure I would have found that unless I actually read the reviews I was looking at instead of jumping to the CRI section hah. So thank you for bring that information to my attention.

Might look for lights that have a 219B 9080 (that’s a thing I think…) and take a look at the Emisar D4, and maybe find some shots of the SST-20.

I’m in Canada too, if you want an S42, I can sell it cheap. I really don’t like the UI.

Yeah, the Nichias are nice but can be frustrating. Most of my b’s and c’s don’t bother me at low levels, but the emitter in my S41 is very green until it gets up to the mids. Seems like a bit of a lottery based on the specific temp and bin being used.

Still waiting on a true “Goldilocks” emitter to come out that doesn’t suffer much drop in output, runs more efficiently (less heat,) and that has the right mix of high CRI, nice reds, and good tint at low levels consistently. Is that so hard? Lol. :smiley:

I had the S42 and was so happy when I sold it on ebay a week later. Just couldn’t deal with it.
Build my own high CRI triple (S2+) and everything was fine.

Don’t know what cct you are looking for, the 3000k sst20s are really nice without any green if you like a warmer tint. The 4000k’s can indeed be a bit green.