Flat Top LEDs

[trjones1]

Just got these in the mail:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150502617546&var=450013157087&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Where have they been my whole life?  They're viewable and bright from any angle and won't burn your eyeballs out.  They also look pretty nifty.  I like.

[tiges_ tendres]

Just got these in the mail:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150502617546&var=450013157087&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Where have they been my whole life?  They're viewable and bright from any angle and won't burn your eyeballs out.  They also look pretty nifty.  I like.

Those are nifty!  Can you tell me what mounting hardware you used?

Thanks!

[trjones1]

They're just standard 5mm LED mounting bezels like this: http://futurlec.com/LED/LED5MMCLIPpr.shtml.  They're available lots of places, including ebay.  The LEDs are secured to them with a bit of hot glue.

[tiges_ tendres]

They're just standard 5mm LED mounting bezels like this: http://futurlec.com/LED/LED5MMCLIPpr.shtml.  They're available lots of places, including ebay.  The LEDs are secured to them with a bit of hot glue.

Easy enough!

Thanks for the heads up on these. 

[jefe]

Where have they been my whole life?  They're viewable and bright from any angle and won't burn your eyeballs out.  They also look pretty nifty.  I like.

I've seen those, but wasn't sure if they were any good - thanks for the report!

I've been looking for an LED that disperses light better, is more viewable from different angles, isn't blindingly bright, etc.. sounds like these fit the bill.  

edit: are these flat flat on top, or is the top more of an inverted/concave cone? Like this:



Sometimes I see LED's advertised as "flat top", but they've actually got that inverted cone thing going on when you look closely or when you check the datasheet. Just curious.

[Mark Hammer]

You know, you can easily grind down any dome-top LED to be flat and more diffuse.  Just stick the appropriate piece of sandpaper on a flat surface and rub.  Just don't go down too far.

[trjones1]

They have an actual flat top.

And Mark, yeah, you could sand down normal LEDs, but since these aren't any more expensive than domed LEDs, why bother with the extra step?  Plus, wouldn't the sanding make them diffuse and not clear?

[davent]

I've tried grinder down clear LED's and ended up having only a small "point" of light visible with a limited viewing angle, not at all what i'd hoped for.

dave

[tiges_ tendres]

I've tried grinder down clear LED's and ended up having only a small "point" of light visible with a limited viewing angle, not at all what i'd hoped for.

dave

Same here, which is why I got excited to see them so affordable!

[Mark Hammer]

I've tried grinder down clear LED's and ended up having only a small "point" of light visible with a limited viewing angle, not at all what i'd hoped for.

dave

Which is why I said just don't go down too far.
Let me emphasize: ground down dome-top are not superior to flat-top in any way other than if you find yourself needing a flat-top and you have a bunch of dome-top in your parts bin.

[John Lyons]

I've sanded down LEDs to be more diffuse but they are still a bit clean no matter what.
The actual body material is semi opaque to make it diffuse.
The Flat topped ones are cool I'm using them on one of my pedals. Diffused of course. 

[LucifersTrip]

When I've wanted a flat top, I've used these:


or these:


and if you want to get creative, put 2 of the second ones right next to each other for a 2-tone rectangle..it's cool

[trjones1]

Those look cool but I have a policy of staying away from anything that requires me to make a square/rectangular hole in an enclosure.