Hi, this is the first time I write here. I’m not a real flashlight nerd but I do love led and light
In past years I lurked around the forum taking advantage from the knowledge on leds and optics.
Thanks to that knowledge, I managed to retrofit an old operating stereo microscope with a cree xp-l hi led after the original alogen quarz bulb passed away.
After several years using it im pretty happy with the result.
Now in my mind is taking form another project, but I need again your knowledge.
I need a surgical compact headlight that must undergo some critical features:
Group A features are MUST:
uniform spotlight 5-8cm diameter@ 30cm working distance
compact diameter max 30-35mm or lower(better)
lightweight (under 50g)
minimum 50000 lux. @30cm
hours of semi-continuous usage(efficiency and/or heat management)
Group B features are DESIDERABLE but not mandatory
stepless dimming (rotating nob)
5V powerbank operated(those which run on multiple 18650s are perfect i think)
no spill (or at least not a strong one)
Elcheapo style (there are surgical light on the market that meet or exceed some of my requests but go from a bit under 1000 to 5000€) I know we can do better!
My actual options are:
1* buy a thrower, cut off the head and add cable and battery pack (ledlenser p5?, lumintop gt nano?, others?)
2* build it from scratch, buy an LED an optic and a driver and try to put them in a case (XP-G2 dedomed? aspheric lens?, TIR?, reflector?)
for these option I really need your help because i dont know the best combination/option out there
I love diy projects though I am not very confident in electronics
3* buy one of those surgical branded light and admit defeat :cry:
thank you very much in advance for your contribution
both are <50g and can be crazy bright on 14500.
though with the HS05 you’ll find an Eneloop puts out enough juce to make it become warm quite quickly, more power = more temp.
for least weight you’d go with HS05 + 1.5V lithium non-rechargeable.
you can make the beam more floody by putting DC-fix on the inside of the front glass
both should be perfectly washable with soap.
the headbands you can throw into the washing machine.
thank you for the input….i looked out for those two but I think them are a bit floody for my purpose and with all that power I’m afraid I cant use them for very long time (i.e. 2h of continuous output)
I took a look on these commercial lights and it is ridiculously expensive with no reason.
Since you don't need waterproof at all (unless blood splashes are an issue) I don't see any problem building it yourself for a lot less money.
The only problem I have no Idea what emitter+lens combination will give you 50000 lux. @30cm but I am sure many knowledgeable guys here can answer that
I recommend using a GoPro connector since you can buy many head harness with this connection.
I have no idea abut surgical light but i believe color temperature and CRI are important, you may want to figure out what emitter is used in the commercial lights and use the same one.
Also I think it is more suitable to use constant current driver for this application (not PWM).
After you find the optics and emitter I am happy to help you with the physical design
Thank you.
Since my project resemble a quasi-pure thrower I was thinking about xp-g2 because has lumen has efficiency and a relatively small LES, maybe a XP-P would do better.
I was thinking also that TIR could focus more light with less spill but I’m not very knowledged on them.
Let whait the experts come in.
