SparkFun Electronics Commentsurn:uuid:214d0e4e-f1b1-d287-ce26-ac5b4c9f82492024-03-28T02:45:56-06:00SparkFun ElectronicsDdrl46 on COM-09001 - BlinkM RGB BlasterDdrl46urn:uuid:42dd72e4-edb0-c441-ba36-469e70c67bff2010-02-24T11:44:27-07:00<p>The product is over 9000.</p>
MikeKuniavsky on COM-09001 - BlinkM RGB BlasterMikeKuniavskyurn:uuid:bea3debe-7522-04b6-3cb3-eeb9c718e4502010-02-07T16:14:16-07:00<p>Whoops, I didn't finish that note. 50mcd is typical (if somewhat dim) for LEDs in dot matrix displays. Most standalone SMD LEDs fall between 200mcd and 2000mcd, at which point the designation of superbright and ultrabright LEDs starts. When we said "standard LED" we looked around at what a "typical" SMD LED would put out, called it 500mcd and divided. In the end brightness is a very relative term, but we wanted to communicate the feeling of what it would be to look at one of these versus looking at a familiar, everyday LED.</p>
MikeKuniavsky on COM-09001 - BlinkM RGB BlasterMikeKuniavskyurn:uuid:01748018-d31d-0618-ff69-9eb3fda756aa2010-02-07T15:49:41-07:00<p>Entropy512, the three LEDs we're using here each have 5 embedded superbright LED dies and a relatively narrow beam angle. They are rated at a total of 445000 millicandela (mcd) if you take all three at maximum brightness. A standard indicator LED is about 50 mcd because of its wide beam angle and low flux. Thus, the Blaster is about 1000 times as bright, perceptually, as a standard indicator LED when looked at directly, which I would not advise.<br>
Please see this excellent article on LED brightness for more info: <a href="http://www.gizmology.net/LEDs.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.gizmology.net/LEDs.htm</a></p>
Entropy512 on COM-09001 - BlinkM RGB BlasterEntropy512urn:uuid:89d748cf-ee61-1e01-65ea-9fc1fec5c5c12009-12-18T08:11:55-07:00<p>1000 times as bright as a standard LED?<br>
I'd be curious wheere those LEDs were sourced. The highest power LEDs I have ever seen in the "classic" form factor are 0.5 watt 5-chip LEDs rated at 100 mA forward current, and have the chips in a parallel configuration (i.e. 5 times the maximum forward current, but the same Vf).<br>
Standard LEDs are typically rated at 20 mA forward current.<br>
So even if the LEDs used here were 5-10 times more efficient than a standard LED (highly unlikely), they would at best have 25-50 times the luminosity of a standard LED of the same color. Given that their efficiency is probably similar to standard LEDs, they are likely only 5 times as bright.</p>
West on COM-09001 - BlinkM RGB BlasterWesturn:uuid:8a3a6e9d-529f-5e03-c9c2-160bd58a63282009-02-10T17:33:27-07:00<p>Picks or it didn't happen.</p>
Emcee Grady on COM-09001 - BlinkM RGB BlasterEmcee Gradyurn:uuid:4f90732b-9c2e-711c-3ea8-6717fb2de2c02008-11-18T10:35:42-07:00<p>Wayne-<br>
Get with the times. (kidding!) Thanks for the catch.</p>
Wayne on COM-09001 - BlinkM RGB BlasterWayneurn:uuid:58b7ea61-512d-05c1-e7cb-fb77f1e5498a2008-11-17T17:37:49-07:00<p>Hmm, "rediculouis"? Is that some kind of hip slang I've yet to learn?</p>