Hello. I am looking for a red light source to use for night time, about an hour or so before going to bed. This is to help sleep (avoiding blue light).
I have been looking for sst20 660 led lights thinking I could use a diffuser on such a flashlight (d4sv2 for example) and have it as a lamp. Then I thought (and wondered) if a red diffuser on my wurkkos TS22 would be viable too? The latter would be my preference because the ts22 doesn’t really serve a purpose for me (I prefer throwers). I don’t have a handle on wavelengths re will a red diffuser change the wavelength of my ts22 (I think it’s 6500) to a more circadian rhythm friendly wavelength?
I just bought some red diffusers from aliexpress that will fit my wurkkos ts22 and my sofirn sp10 pro. I bought two of each size for au 22.51 including tax and delivery (free delivery over au$15.00). For that price I think I can try them out. Still interested in hearing opinions here. I’ll update how the filters go - they won’t be here for 2 weeks or so
ahhh, thanks for that. I already have the T3 coming. I also have a wurkkos hd50 headlamp - both with sst20 660 leds. I shall try to find a lamp with sst20 660 leds then because of the 21700 battery - on low it should last for a few weeks use (an hour a night or so) between charges
Speaking from personal preference, I strongly dislike monochromatic red, it is hard to describe, but it makes my eyes ache regardless of the brightness.
My vote would be a 1800K LED or de-domed 2700K Nichia 519, the latter is what I use for my own “evening light” while winding down for bed.
These LEDs will likely have a tiny amount of blue in the spectrum from the die.
You could fit a circle of blue light blocking lighting filter/gel if you were worried about it.
Have a look at LEE 821 zircon, of perhaps LEE warm amber 8 as is less orangy, though, given how orange 1800-2200K is, Im not sure there would be a huge difference.
oh, awesome. I assumed the s was the plural of the LT1. Looking at a review now, it says “four Lattice Power Red LEDs”. I’ll look into this more - the red is really red to my “not flashlight nerd eye”.
Awesome! Read another review from 1Lumen - comical description of the red. Found it at amazon for au$57 with battery, which is at least au$20 cheaper than anywhere else I could find it.
I have tried red filters and blue light blocking filters on my lights. I’ve always had problems with sleeping.
I have a KR4 with the SST-20 660nm DR emitters, and have used it nearly every night for almost three years now. I absolutely love it.
Red filters can work in some circumstances, but they really don’t compare with red or PC red emitters.
If you don’t like the monochromacity (?) of the 660nm, there are other options. I’ve used CSLNM and CSLPM, or Osram W1/W2 reds, they definitely look orange compared to the SST-20. Of course, there are other options like Getian and cree and clones.
Anyway the 660nm is extremely soothing on the eyes. I have astigmatism, and bright and especially blue light causes me pain, the reds and very warm whites do not have as severe an effect.
You can try out the SST-20 660nm inexpensively, in Convoys or some Sofirn headlamps as others have mentioned. the Sofirn D25LR was my first experience. it was really nice for working outside at night and not attracting bugs.
Thankyou. I have a headlamp with sst20dr and I like it. Also have a t3 coming - both the headlamp and t3 should handle my mobile needs. Just ordered the LT1s for use in the bathroom mainly (I shower before bed), but no doubt will get used elsewhere as well
An update. I have the LT1S lamp and the T3 with single sst20 660 led. Both are awesome. One complaint with the lamp is that I have to triple click from off to get into red mode. I use both lights according to needs.
The red filters arrived too (silicone type from aliexpress). I tried one on my ts22 - it’s a real glow. This is effective and it works as a red very diffused light. One potential issue is if you’re going a higher setting which will cause heat - I imagine the silicone tube will pop off when the air inside expands enough. Not a problem for me, I usually get by with the smallest amount of light needed for whatever I’m doing. The tubes are good for converting a flashlight to a lamp, but you can’t have the versatility of a the typical flashlight beam. I would probably take the T3 (red light), and the hd50 headlamp, and a thrower when travelling by car and accommodation based. If motorcycle based or living out of a pack, just the hd50 headlamp and a spare battery.
Red filters don’t convert non-red light to red, so you’re dependent on the red content of the source emitter.
I just reviewed an Ultrafire T6 with r/g/b filters. Blue (more like indigo) is quite nice, green is exceptional, but red is more of a faded orange. The emitters don’t have much red content, especially R9 and similar deep reds, so there’s nothing there to filter for. Closest content to red is that Portland Orange, or “traffic red”.
People who use scorchingly-bright white LED blubs in car taillights also get this, a washed-out orangey color with very little red content.
That said, if you really dislike monochromatic red, and some people do, as you’re essentially only seeing red and black and no other colors, then be prepared for that.
I got RGB lights that use PC green and mono red. As said, mono-red shows just red and black, which can appear harsh and has much less color-content to distinguish details. PC green (phosphor-converted) shows mainly green, but to a lesser extent some blue, yellow and even some red. It looks like heavily-filtered green, but not so much as to be monochromatic.
Same with a pair of Anakim lights, PC green in one, mono red in another. Same dealy.
There are probably some lights with PC red which would still get you nice reds from the phosphor itself (would have to, else it’d be called PC orange), and would still have other wavelengths of light mixed in as to not be too harsh.
yeah, I already had the silicone tubes ordered before reading jon_slider’s reply re the filters blocking blue light. I can still see a use for the tubes in those scenarios where I take a light but don’t see a need for red light; I can toss in a tube to cover that small possibility. I wouldn’t have ordered them if I’d read the replies from you and jon_slider first
its still fun to have options..
it can also be useful to cut a hole in the end of a red diffuser..
this turns it into a road safety wand.. you can see the ground or whatever you want to look at with white light, and cars coming your way can see your red diffuser..
this also works for indoor ceiling bounce, with some added red side light for entertainment value.. lol ..
