Small vs Large LED in IR Illuminators

tygger

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Would like to add a wide angle IR illuminator for my driveway. I've seen illuminators with fewer, but larger LEDs and some with more, but smaller LEDs. What are the differences between the two? Is one more design more desirable?
 

PSPCommOp

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Would like to add a wide angle IR illuminator for my driveway. I've seen illuminators with fewer, but larger LEDs and some with more, but smaller LEDs. What are the differences between the two? Is one more design more desirable?
Will depend on the brand as well as output and the diffuser. Don't assume one cheap illuminator with say 6 larger lights will be better then a more expensive one with say a grid of 30 small lights.


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Dodutils

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Grid leds vs Fewer high power Leds, both have different usage, high power LEDs are coupled with different optics that focus the light at different angle, smaller angle make light go longer distance but much concentrated so it may "burn" closer objects making them "too white" (also depending on how the camera can handle such contrasted situation).

"old style" Grid Leds produce shorter distance light but "smoother" and wider angle, so all depend your need, for example for closer view I would use grid leds to not burn people faces, or use wide angle optics for high power leds, but again, the camera ablity to handle those mixed light conditions may vary between models/constructors.
 

tygger

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What would you all recommend for this driveway? Driveway to the street is about 45-50ft.
 

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Dodutils

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What would you all recommend for this driveway? Driveway to the street is about 45-50ft.
As your cars is the point of interest and they are close I would recommand wide angle projector and also try to make the light not be straight in front but positioned slightly on the left or right to give more relief to the human faces
 
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