How does one differentiate Nichia 219B/BT/C/CT?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

I'm just new to LED flashlights, and discovered about 'high CRI' Nichia flashlights.

So I got me an Astrolux S41S quad-Nichia (219B? 219C?), BLF A01 copper (Nichia 219B), LuminTop Tool AAA Nichia 219BT.

Banggood's description of the S41S has conflicts -- somewhere it says Nichia 219B, and in another place it says 219C (in any case, it clearly indicates having 90 CRI and 5000K tint).

I'm just wondering, how does one determine if it's 219B or 219C?

(from reading a few stuff, I learned that 219C can be driven at higher amps and can be much brighter than 219B; but I don't have a reference to compare how bright is 219B or 219C)

Also, the BLF A01 copper -- Banggood description is also unclear whether it's 219B or 219C. What I do know is that its tint is it looks a nice warm color (4000K based on description). (The one I just got has the older "Manker" logo and No PWM on it)

So, again how do I determine if that's 219B or 219C?

(I read that the newer Astrolux A01 aluminum (not by Manker) has Nichia 219CT maybe 5000K tint, has PWM and Next-Mode-Memory)

And another one, the LuminTop Tool AAA which indicates Nichia 219BT -- what is the difference between a 219BT and 219B, 219C (on looking around, I saw there's also a 219CT), what does adding the "T" mean to 219B/C?

As for the tint, I notice that the Tool AAA's tint is in between the BLF A01 copper and S41S (so maybe it's like 4500K tint?) BUT, I read in another thread that someone who got a Lumintop Tool AAA that's labeled Nichia 219BT, and he said his had Nichia 219C (or CT). How does one check? And what are the differences?

2

Mtn E has some nice pics to enlarge to see the visual difference from a B to a C.
Actual emitter specs, and the part numbering code info is best to look up directly from Nichia data sheets.
And don’t forget the 319AT is another 3.5X3.5 offering.

3

Haven’t bought an Astrolux S41 or S41S in over a year but all my Nichia were 219B.
Initial production were greenish and heard some speculation if they were genuine, who knows.

4

I haven’t updated LEDs & Other Stuff in a while and it’s hard to tell LED’s under optics but that thread has some condensed information you might find useful with lots of pictures & links etc.

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5

Thanks CRX!

BLF A01 copper — I can definitely say that it’s a Nichia 219B, as it’s similar to your reference pic.

LuminTop Tool AAA ‘Nichia 219BT’ (product description) — but it looks very similar to the Nichia 219C reference pic; so it’s more likely to be Nichia 219C (or does a Nichia 219BT look similar to a Nichia 219C?):

(pardon the blurry pic, I’m just using a budget digi-cam)

Not sure if this might also be useful info: I read that the 219C has a lower forward voltage (old/depleted cells can still power them up)
I have an old rechargeable NiMh (one that releases very low current, voltage sags even at lower currents) — when I placed that old cell in the BLF A01, I can see a difference between the “low” and “med” mode, but “med” and “high” modes are the same brightness (ie. quite dim)
Using the same old rechargeable NiMh in the Lumintop Tool AAA, there is practically no difference in brightness levels across low-med-high (dim).
(but then again, the BLF A01’s ‘low’ or ‘moon’ mode is much dimmer than the Tool AAA, even when on a new freshly charged battery)

Astrolux S41S — any help here? I’m not sure if I can remove the TIR lens (I might mis-align it as I’m not skillful enough… or is it easy to remove and re-align?) — Is it Nichia 219C?

What is a Nichia 219BT and Nichia 219CT vs the non-T versions?

6

The Astrolux S41S looks like 219B emitters to me, can’t see any black around the edge like the 219C.

I’m not sure either :smiley:

7

The Tool definitely has a 219C in it. Others seem to be equipped with 219B, maybe 219B-V1. The “T” makes no difference, it’s just a nomenclature thing.

8

definitely a 219C on the tool, Cool I got one on the way, hope it is same.

I can also see the white bases through the optic on the S41S, 219B

9

How about this one:

Does it look like Nichia 219B?

10

Hmm… Tricky :smiley:

11

Sorry, didn’t mean to ask a “trick” question.
I thought I’m unable to remove the head.

After I did, the answer became clear:


Nichia 219B

12

That was just my attempt at some humour :slight_smile:

13

Old thread I know.

Does anyone else have a Copper Tool with 219c in it? Mine was bought in Sep 2018 and advertised and sold as Nichia BT but clearly has a 219c emitter in it. Not really complaining, just curious.

Or am I wrong?

14

Yup, that’s a 219C, I think Lumintop started shifting from 219B to 219C around that time, so one might still get a few 219B versions but more likely 219C.

15

CRX compiled a lot of emitters with pictures. LEDs & Other Stuff - (Reference Guide)

You’ll want to check out 6x5 and 6x6. Though d_t_a already answered your question.

16

Thanks for the link. I had not seen that compilation yet.