Benefits and disadvantages of LED Torches

Energy effiency

One of the greatest benefits of LED lighting is that it can emit the same amount of light as a standard bulb by using up to one tenth of the electricity to power it. This means that the batteries last longer resulting in longer usage times,

This energy efficiency also means that flashlights can be designed for smaller batteries, resulting in smaller flashlight cases needed to light up the same area as with traditional torches.

Illumination

One of the main things holding LED flashlights back in the past, has been the limitation of the amount of light they can emit. Previously, the LED technology has resulted in the light emitting diodes creating too much heat, meaning that the casings needed to have sufficient cooling to avoid the diodes overheating. As the technology has advanced, we are now starting to see more and more powerful LED torches on the market to rival the super bright traditional flashlights.

The LED Flashlight Store for instance, is retailing a torch emitting 13,000 lumen, which can light up to 300 meters. What is lumen I hear you say?

Lumen is a method of describing the amount of light emitted from a light source. It is a better measurement for lighting capabilities than Watt, which is a measurement of electric power.

Color

The color the flashlights emit is also an important consideration. Whereas we are accustomed to living with the yellow light indoors that incandescent light bulbs emit, the white light is far superior when illuminating a path outside. LED flashlights normally emit cool white light, whereas traditional torches emit a yellow light that is not as illuminating.

Lifetime value

Whereas the best halogen lamps can claim to last up to 2000 hours, LED torches claim to last up to 50,000 hours. What they fail to mention here, is that it is the LED’s that are designed to last that long. It does not matter how long the LED’s last, if the rest of the technology is not designed to last that long. In fact, the electric circuits are more likely to burn out well before the expiration of the LEDs. But at the end of the day, it is no doubt that LED’s are more likely to outlast the halogen bulbs.

On the other hand, when the Light Emitting Diodes have burnt out, changing them is far more complex than changing a halogen or traditional bulb. You are more likely to dispense of the whole flashlight than replace the LEDs.