"New" flashlight technology entering the fray LEP(Laser Excited Phosphor) flashlights

[Mycroft]

Many years ago I heard about LEP technology in relation to a product made by a company called Wicked Lasers. They used it to turn their high powered lasers into a lightsaber. This resulted in some copyright shenanigans with LucasFilms if memory serves. I really didn't think about it beyond that until this year.

Now, several companies (Lumentop, Olight, Weltool to name a few) have entered the fray in using this same technology to make very long throw flashlights.

One example review of a LEP light boasted a 3km range (tested by independent reviewers.)

Information I've not yet seen on these lights includes performance in fog and extreme temperatures (They use a blue laser as the exciter which as I recall from my laser studies years ago had problems at temperature extremes.)

While it isn't a technology you may be thinking about getting into right away, I figured some people here might appreciate knowing this tech is beginning to enter the mainstream marketplaces.

If anyone here already has experience with them I'd love to get some feedback, especially on how they operate in fog.


(Search queries before posting this included LEP, Laser Phosphor, Laser Excited Phosphor)

[Badger52]

Information I've not yet seen on these lights includes performance in fog and extreme temperatures (They use a blue laser as the exciter which as I recall from my laser studies years ago had problems at temperature extremes.)I'm interested going forward to see the purposes for which it's implemented (see, be seen). I'm skeptical of enhanced fog performance as refraction from the moisture back to the eye isn't (to me) going to be mitigated by the light. That characteristic is what it is. In terms of the 'see' part, the unaided eye can only resolve detail out to a certain distance even in broad daylight.

The 'be seen' aspect could be interesting. I recall the change on police vehicles from traditional bubble-gum machine to LEDs. You could see one of those making a traffic stop on a straight stretch of highway 5 miles away now, which caused everyone to start slowing down & pulling over... 5 miles away. Then again, incandescent or halogen spot lights on barges on the Mississippi in fog could use some serious help. Interesting stuff, thanks for the heads-up.

[Meryup]

I know a little bit about this LEP technology,
LEP usage laser instead of light used in LED, also its a reason of having long-range!
But still, You have to carry LEP with more caution like reflection and it's not a toy for kids.