imo Raw Aluminium is a Bad idea, here are some reasons. Italic portions are quotes from googling:
1. Anodised has 17X better heat emission: The unfinished surface of aluminum can be measured at an emissivity of approximately 0.05. The emissivity of an anodized aluminum surface can be measured at around 0.85.
2. Raw Aluminium will oxidise, it does not stay shiny, unless it is repolished Although the relation between Al and neurodegenerative diseases is still controversial, Al is related with many brain diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
3. Aluminium is toxic, I would not want to handle raw aluminium. Aluminium’s free metal cation, Alaq(3+), is highly biologically reactive and biologically available aluminium is non-essential and essentially toxic.
Honestly, I cannot think of one good reason to choose raw aluminium.
If I want a shiny host material, Im a BIG fan of Titanium.
If this light has an internal signal tube, I think silver anodizing would be better. If both the signal tube and the body are anodized, there is protection against shorting the signal tube to the body on both sides. If the body is raw aluminum, a scratch in the signal tube could hypothetically cause unintended behavior.
I’ll defer to experience others may have whether this should be a deciding factor, but I think it should be considered for a light of this type.
Keep in mind, the E17A is rated by Nichia for only 700mA. I think Clemence said it could be pushed to 1.75A on a really good MCPCB, but it doesn’t seem like most manufacturers have familiarity with such MCPCB’s. It also has a low forward voltage that could increase the risk of overdriving on a FET-powered light.
The LatticePower CSP2323 that Wurkkos said is being used in this light is rated for 1.4A.
It would be a really nice option if the E17A can safely run in this light, but it seems marginal to me.
You did not mention raw AL is soft and subject to dings and scratches… you did say, and my big problem with it is that it corrodes easily (making it look like crap).
I fully agree with the rest of your post. I am curious why people like raw aluminum… unless they just love to spend time polishing…???
The process was developed and aluminum is almost always anodized for very good reasons.
Anyway, if it is bright metal, mine would have to be silver anodized.
Some additional recommendations for the color of the light body:
Tan
Camouflage
light blue
dark blue
olive drab
light grey
dark grey
All colors with matte finish please. Glossy tends to look cheap.
It would also be really nice to have the light manufactured in Titanium. Yes it’s a lot pricier, but it looks great and is very durable. Many people are willing to pay the extra money for Titanium despite the cost, worse thermal properties and higher weight.