Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 27

Thread: Any research on optimal color temperature for weapon lights?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    1,300
    Feedback Score
    7 (100%)

    Any research on optimal color temperature for weapon lights?

    Bight white daylight colored LEDs seem to be all the rage right now, but I've heard the arguments that warmer color tones allow for better PID. But has there ever been any research to say which is really better? Which penetrates photonic barriers better? Especially warmer toned street lights.

    Specifically 4000K neutral white vs 2700K vs 5700K
    Last edited by mig1nc; 08-29-20 at 13:56. Reason: adding specifics.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Western US
    Posts
    2,474
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by mig1nc View Post
    Bight white daylight colored LEDs seem to be all the rage right now, but I've heard the arguments that warmer color tones allow for better PID. But has there ever been any research to say which is really better? Which penetrates photonic barriers better? Especially warmer toned street lights.

    Specifically 4000K neutral white vs 2700K vs 5700K
    Damn good question.

    Here's what I found.

    https://www.larsonelectronics.com/bl...ght-works-best

    Quote Originally Posted by LarsonElectronics
    No light can actually “cut” through smoke and make objects totally visible on the other side, but there are a few types of illumination that will allow professionals to navigate more successfully.
    ...
    Because smoke disperses light, a narrow beam with good throw and very minimal spill is necessary. Spillage causes the iris to adjust to control the light, making it harder to see objects from far away. Additionally, an LED with a lower color temperature will help reduce dispersal. Lower color temperatures have longer wave lengths, so they are reflected less by rain or fog. This means red and yellow-toned LED bulbs are ideal over blue and bright white.

    It is important to note that visibility will depend on the density of the smoke. Thinner smoke will allow more penetration of light, but thick black smoke will require thermal imaging.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    1,300
    Feedback Score
    7 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by ColtSeavers View Post
    Damn good question.

    Here's what I found.

    https://www.larsonelectronics.com/bl...ght-works-best
    That's pretty interesting. I hadn't really thought about it from that perspective. It's kind of like the yellow fog lights on rally race cars.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Western US
    Posts
    2,474
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by mig1nc View Post
    That's pretty interesting. I hadn't really thought about it from that perspective. It's kind of like the yellow fog lights on rally race cars.
    Catch-22 is that the lower wavelength colors are also percieved to be less bright than the higher wavelength ones, even if they do cut through photonic barriers better.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    1,300
    Feedback Score
    7 (100%)
    There are some LEDs in the 3200K range, kind of the upper range of the warm colors.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Western US
    Posts
    2,474
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by mig1nc View Post
    There are some LEDs in the 3200K range, kind of the upper range of the warm colors.
    Another problem is, unless you're building your own, you're pretty much at the mercy of whatever LED (and reflector) light manufacturers decide.

    Take Surefire for example, nice warm temperature (if only relatively speaking), but they turned all their weapon lights into flood lamps....

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    1,300
    Feedback Score
    7 (100%)
    You could get something like this, from Lumens Factory, and then drop in any aftermarket module you want: https://www.ebay.com/itm/P60-to-E-He...0/324198136512

    This one suggests it's in that upper warm color temperature with a tight reflector: https://www.ebay.com/itm/P60-LED-Dro...M/222861770578

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Western US
    Posts
    2,474
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by mig1nc View Post
    You could get something like this, from Lumens Factory, and then drop in any aftermarket module you want: https://www.ebay.com/itm/P60-to-E-He...0/324198136512

    This one suggests it's in that upper warm color temperature with a tight reflector: https://www.ebay.com/itm/P60-LED-Dro...M/222861770578
    True, but the people that would go this route are probably also already building their own to begin.

    Never hurts to spread the information though.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    1,300
    Feedback Score
    7 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by ColtSeavers View Post
    True, but the people that would go this route are probably also already building their own to begin.

    Never hurts to spread the information though.
    Good point, that's probably true about people who build there own. It's like it's own little cottage industry.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    84
    Feedback Score
    0
    Warm light penetrates vegetation much better than neutral white or cool light.

    If you are searching for something that is trying to hide in the bushes, warm light will help you to see into the bushes, whereas cool light will only lit up the first layer of leaves, which effectively blocks you from seeing the target behind the bush.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •