Best Emitter Bin for smaller lights?

I've seen some debate recently that are pitting different emitter bins against each other... each has their pros and cons but in a smaller form factor which do you all think is better?

XP-E/XR-E Pros- Small emitter that is more easily focused for throw in a small package. Con- lower power handling but with newer Flux bins coming out (up to R4 or R5 now).

Xp-G/Xm-L- Pros- more light at the same currents, higher power handling capabilities. Pro/Con- floodier beams with larger hotspots.

I think in a small package such as the Nitecore Ti for example... the XR-E would be choice... the small head is going to lend itself to a floodier beam anyway so the XP-E would help compensate with some throw due to higher surface brightness. Also... in EDC formats we aren't really wanting a 1.5-2.0A draw most of the time so the lower power limit (1A) isn't as much of a concern.

On another forum... they defended a well known and expensive brand for using XP-E/XR-E for reasons other than I listed (they wait for emitters to "mature", for example) but I've also seen some arguments that the XP-E/XR-E doesn't color shift throughout the viewing angle which I've seen in some of my XM-L's.

Thoughts?

I think you've pretty much summed up the current state of emitters .

That's why I'm kind of excited to test the XP-E and XM-L versions of the Balder SE-1 I have coming. I can see for myself a side-by-side using the same non-p60 light and without comparing camera shots. I've always opted to go the "brighter is better" route but now I'm starting to consider more criteria.

Are you the one who did the review of the SE-1?

That inspired this post question in the first place as I saw that they made them in XP-E/XP-G/XM-L formats.

I have a Romisen RC-G2 with an older Xr-E Q3 and powered with 1xAA it throws surprisingly well although the flood isn't all that impressive it's enough for up close tasks.. which makes it a great all around light in my eyes... flood for where I need it... throw (although a small hot spot) out to at least 100ft (haven't a a chance to try it further) is all I really need.


I've got some smaller lights that are XP-G/XM-L based but I would like something brighter than the Q3 in my Romisen although I like the 5C tint.

Let's not forget the XP-C!

this page is very informative: http://www.carclo-optics.co.uk/opticselect/intranet/optics/details/index.php?id_optics=58

It shows how different LEDs behave with one particular optic but gives quite a good idea of the differences between LEDs - the third column gives a value of lux per lumen which quantifies how much better smaller LEDs can be focused.

Also, the new R4 binned XP-E LEDs are the "HEW" type which use a different phosphor deposition technique (it's on the outside of the dome rather than the chip) this leads to a MUCH more floody beam than a standard XP-E (somewhere between XP-G and XM-L)

(this might lead to an aspheric lens thrower with a round beam profile...I'll be giving it a try)

The XR-Es I have here are a lot cooler than the XP-Gs I have here. They are both supposed to be cool white, but the XP-Gs have a tendency in the neutral direction vs. the XR-Es in the blue tint direction.