I realize there are variables and a concrete answer may be difficult. I am debating whether anything can be done with the Manker U21vn XPL as far as putting an entirely different LED, say an SST40. The beam profile is not acceptable to me. If it was only ugly on a wall shot I would not care, but it is very noticeable when I shine it down the trail.
I will try to explain. Imagine this. It looks like the first 4 or 5 layers of a dart board w/ alternating b/w rings of light and rings of darkness.Another way to describe it is, if you ever had condensation under the lens? It has a similar effect w/ the dark spots/rings around/near the corona. Difference is that will go away w/ silica gel treatment,I have had tons of experience with this!
Another description:
The Hot spot is fine, it transitions to the corona fine. After the corona is a dark ring[about 2 foot width when pointed 30 yards down the trail]. Then a ring of “light” a little smaller, then another dark ring[~ 2 foot wide], then it transitions to the spill/flood.
My original one is gone. It had a sliver semi circle of light around the corona,other than that the beam profile was very nice.
Is it TRUE that the reflector is the Primary reason for artifacts?
If so, would changing to another LED be Futile?
If it was an XPL and you changed it to an SST40 could those artifacts disappear?
The photos ONLY give a glimpse.They do not give a real life representation[The Trail]. These are Wall shots,magnify the size by 20 or 30 times when shined down the trail. You can see the “First ring of darkness” but not the second which transitions into the spill.
I am considering sending it back,not sure if it is worth the aggravation.
I don’t know about the artifacts in your case, but a common cause of rings is reflection from imperfections at the bottom or top of the reflecting surface. Like at the bottom where the parabolic surface meets the flat part around the emitter hole.
You can sort of track down the cause of some artifacts by looking into the front of the light (on very low mode) and moving the light around. If you see any reflections that aren’t from the actual parabolic surface, they will create an artifact or ring in the beam.
Thanks,can not do that[low mode] w/ this light. It is SINGLE MODE MAX w/ tail cap activation!
So, IF there are imperfections at the bottom or top of the reflecting surface, it will make NO difference which LED is used? Correct? I would think that would be the case.
Looks like it is pretty well centered [LED],Can not notice anything irregular with the ring.
I will try to get some good “Beam profile shots” on the trail tomorrow morning[5 am hike]. Tonights most likely will be on Gravel/stone and it does not show up quite as well.
So would you say there is really NOTHING I could do but accept it?
Only thing I can do is focus on the hot spot,but when searching for critters[for CAPO] or down the trail, the light is not up in the trees which is the only time you do not notice it!! lol
It is hard to ignore because when I shine it down the trail, the dark circles are very noticeable on the ground ahead of me.
It is disappointing because the Original one was lost and I did not lose it!
The original had a nice beam profile minus a semi circle sliver which did not affect the overall profile.
If you swap the LED to something much bigger like an XHP70.2 or MT G2 or something like that, it could wash the spot out enough to hide the imperfections.
Just as soon get a new light —— what’s up with that LED —looks like a shaved dome— I’ve had several lights over the years I can’t get past the beam profile—my issue most of the time is the huge Saturn rings around the outer spill—many times I can fix them by bead blasting or painting the stainless bezel ring—— Use your SR52 vn / K40vn —- I know they have perfect beams
Good reflector are not cheap. Manker is cheap. Not price wise, but on quality it is.
Try an Olight M3XS, now that’s a clean beam.
I got one with a factory dedomed XP-L HD, then another with an XP-L HI. Now it rocks a Black Flat. I always have a clean hotspot and dim spill.
My U21 has a pretty significant ring outside of the corona . Looking into the reflector on low I see a lot of light being reflected off of the back inside edge of the reflector — like the LED is set slightly behind it. This probably explains my large ring. Wouldn’t surprise me if swapping the XHP35-HI for a shaved dome XP-L would make that worse.
Looking at the photos you attached to me it looks like you have the circle of this reflection divided into four quadrants by the corners of the LED.
:+1: