LED test / review - Nichia NVSW319AT sm503 D400f2 R8000 (CCT 5000 K, typ. 83 CRI)


LED test / review
EN

Nichia NVSW319AT sm503 D400f2 R8000

Technical data

Tj 25 °C / If 1,050 mA unless noted otherwise

Order code: ---


Type: single die (Flip Chip)
Binning: D400f2
Rated voltage: typ. 3.02 V
Forward current: max. 2,000 mA
Peak forward current: 2,400 mA
Viewing angle: 135 °
Color Rendering Index Ra: min. 80, typ. 83 (R9: 0)
rated CCT: 5000 K
Thermal resistance: typ. 3.0 °C/W (max 4.0)
Junction temp.: max. 150 °C

The official datasheet can be found here (pdf, official Nichia website)

Appearance and LES

For larger pictures: on image right-click, 'View Image'

Unlike other LEDs this emitter features a special hexagonal LES. This should improve the beam pattern and color uniformity in secondary optics, especially for SMO reflectors. The white marking (on picture left upper corner) marks the cathode.

Like most other Nichia x19 series the footprint is almost the same as known from XP LEDs, so the whole range of accessoires (boards, center rings / isolators) can be used.

The both electrode pads (Au plated) next to the bigger thermal pad are smaller than of other XP based LEDs which could be a problem at highest currents.

The whole LES has no miscolored areas so a uniform color distribution (color over angle) in optics can be expected.

Thanks to the Flip Chip design there are areas which emits light to the side, a feature already known from XP-L2, Luxeon V 2017 and many other LEDs which uses this fairly common LED chip technology.

The die is 5.72 mm² (0.00887 sq in, only top view) in size.

Performance and overcurrent capabilities

25 °C Tsp, unless noted otherwise. In ‚real life applications‘ this values may vary.

Within official parameters

  • At 2,000 / 2,400 mA (max rated / peak): 743.8 lm @ 3.10 V / 852.9 lm @ 3.14 V
  • Power at rated maximum (max / peak): 6.20 W / 7.54 W
  • Efficiency at 2,000 / 2,400 mA (max / peak): 120.0 lm/W / 113.1 lm/W
  • At 1,050 mA (binning current): 438.8 lm @ 2.96 V

Overcurrent:

  • Maximum at 7,800 mA, 1,592 lm @ 3.46 V
  • Power at maximum 27.0 W
  • Sweet spot at 4,600 mA (1,318 lm @ 3.30 V)
  • Power at sweet spot 15.2 W
  • Efficiency at max 59.0 lm/W, in sweet spot 86.7 lm/W

I define the sweet spot as the position in the diagram which gives a good average between light flux, current and efficiency. In most cases it lays roughly 15 to 35 percent lower than maximum possible light flux.



  • the 319AT is a nice efficiency upgrade from the 219C if the bigger LES is suitable for the application.
  • The thermal resistance of the old 219BT-V1 is much higher so the maximum performance possible is also less
  • The XP-L HD V5 (shown in diagram for better comparison) is much more efficient. At 5,800 mA it delivers approx 30 percent more light.
  • In general it seems that the 319AT has a slightly better heat dissipation as the 219C.

Luminance and color quality

From now on I using a new method for determining luminance, especially to ensure more realistic values for 'real-life' conditions (flashlight use). The measurements are taken with a new original Convoy C8 SMO reflector, but with same test setup as previously used in flux measurement.

Reflectivity for reflector 85 %

Transmission UCL glass 97,8 %

Values at 25 °C Tsp, for 85 °C Tsp values are 6 to 14 percent lower, depending on LED

LEDs marked with Warning sign uses old values are still taken with previous method (determining die size) due to problematic light distribution (donut holes etc).



The luminance of 219C and 319AT are almost the same. The gain in efficiency and light flux is therefore due to larger LES and slightly better heat dissipation, not because of higher luminance. From this point I cannot recommend this LED for ultra-long range flashlights (throwers).

Like the naming 'sm503' designates this LED was binned in 3-step MacAdams ellipse. Like already known from Nichia emitters, the tint is a pleasant neutral white without much color shift to yellow or green, at least at higher currents. At lower currents, even under 700 mA, the tint shifts slightly to the yellow side. The CRI is higher than of other (70 CRI) LEDs so the manufacturers claim of typical 83 CRI should be true.

The side LES does not affect the color distribution at all, so this LED in general can be easily used in optics, even in SMO reflectors (in picture I used the Convoy C8 SMO reflector).

Conclusion

An interesting LED, thanks to unsual hexagonal die. It is more efficient than the 219C in same color rendering / CCT class. The color uniformity in beam is also very good, like the tint (even at higher currents).

The luminance is not as high, but this can be expected from a domed LED. Unfortunately the tint shifts visible to yellow at low current (CC regulated, not PWM). Overall a good LED for using in flashlights, with no significant weaknesses.



Pro

  • Higher efficiency
  • Hexagonal die for uniform beam and color distribution in optics
  • nice tint (at higher currents)
  • higher color rendition

Neutral

  • visible tint shift to yellow at lower currents (CC)
  • could be difficult to buy, like most Nichia emitters
  • maximum performance not as high compared to other LEDs in same power rating

Con

  • still no high CRI option available


Thanks a lot for reading! :)

Greetings, Dominik (aka BLF member koef3)

Mistakes, suggestions or offers / sponsoring of LEDs which I should test next are best sent via PM.

2 Thanks

Thanks for the well presented and thorough test. You confirm what my impression is about this led: it does well in many areas, but excells in none.

Something I found with a few early samples of the 319A is that despite the promise of the hexagonal die showing great behaviour in all the different optics, I found tint shift problems in the hotspot (egg-yolk centered hotspot). How did the beam look like from your C8 reflector?

that’s what i experienced as well. The egg yolk center is gone on the newer emitters, but i’m still not a big fan on the tint. I ended up selling the the first 319a triple i built and swapped to xpl hi on my second triple.

In my C8 reflector (SMO) it looks like this:

In real the rings are not as visible as in my picture.

Overall the beam is nice and absolutely usable even with smooth reflectors / clear lenses (but I haven't tested this yet), much better than with XP-L2/G3/XHP70.2.

1 Thank

:+1: Looks great, so Nichia has solved the problem well.

1 Thank

what means mamps?

It means milliamps.

1mA= 0,001A
10mA= 0,010A
100mA= 0,100A
1000mA= 1,000A

Thank you for the test!

I’m pretty sure this will stay in my Nitecore TIP Tropical! Originally a 219BT-V1 SW57 R9050 was inside, but I just don’t like the cold/ blue tint, so I gave this a try. It is a great flood of white light paired with the tiny OP reflector, and it also heats up less than the 219B.

1 Thank

@ControlTheController:

Next time think about resizing your image.

1.63MB is pretty big.

Did it take forever to load? :open_mouth:
My bad for not cropping out the unimportant background.

You don't necessarily have to crop...

With image editing software, you could resize the image and resave it.

Thanks for the tip! I’ll probably use those handy online image resizing softwares.

I know it’s not the newest LED but if anybody wants to buy it’s available on AE. Pack of 10.

4000K NVSW319BT
5000K NVSW319BT
6500K NVSW319AT

Not sure why AT/BT at the end while they look the same and got same description/specification…

4 Thanks

Nice find, I am actually looking to buy some (not sure why, maybe some hex die fun in a zoomie😂). The model from your link appears to be 70 CRI though.

Yes, these do not seem to be high CRI but creamy uniform tint and better output (better than hCRI) should sweeten this fact.

Received mine a couple days ago but still haven’t had time to play with them.

1 Thank

It does well in a zoomie. I had one in a UF-t20 for a while before swapping to the round die YinDing

1 Thank

Somehow I missed the reply notification until today :man_facepalming:t2:

How is the tint? (If you have used them already)

Excellent! I’m glad someone ordered it. I will be waiting for your first impressions.

I have some 319A 5000K 82 CRI left. They are efficient, slightly more than the LH351D 90 CRI. It’s annoying that we can’t buy 319A anywhere (except for those 70 CRI).
In my E07X I changed from 219b to 319A, the flashlight finally has more power and a nice neutral color.

2 Thanks