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Optional Beam Lenses

A bit of advice on beam lenses.  In an ideal world, we'd prefer to stock all of our lamps with the 100 degree frosted lens fitted as standard.  This is because we have determined that the 100 degree / frosted combination produces the most pleasing results.  The problem we have is that the old incandescent lamps which most customers will be replacing have much narrower stated beam angles with clear glass fronts, and we are concerned that they might be put off by the apparently significant difference between the two.  Halogen lamps typically have beam angles ranging from 35-60 degrees, so why do we advocate the use of 70 and preferably 100 degree beam lenses in our LED lamps?

Well, our real-life testing has shown that the 100 degree lens produces a beam of light which is more comparable with a small GU10/MR16 halogen spotlamp having a 35-50 degree beam angle.  But why is this?  We suspect the reason is down to the way in which the light beam is controlled.  In a halogen lamp, the beam angle is controlled by reflection whereas in LED lamps, the beam angle is controlled by refraction.  Refraction gives much tighter control over the beam angle, to the extent that outside of the beam there is very little overspill.  Contrast this with the beam from a halogen lamp which has a reasonably concentrated beam of light within the stated angle, but also a significant amount of light spilling way beyond the theoretical light pool suggested by the beam angle.

If you're not sure about all this, don't panic!  Most of our customers have been perfectly happy with the standard 70 degree lens to date.  If you want to get a rough idea of how the lamps would look with 100 degree lenses fitted, you can remove the lens and run them without.  If you like the effect this produces, it's okay to run them permanently without lenses - provided that they are not located in a high moisture environment.

Small Beam Lens 100 Degree Clear

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An optional wide angle beam lense suitable for the single lens 3w and 4w GU10, MR16, R50 spots and R63 spots.  We supply these lamps fitted with a 70 degree clear beam lens as standard.  These alternative clear 100 degree lenses produce a wider beam. Optical grade glass lens for accurately defined beam angles.  A beam lens retaining ring removal tool is also available separately.

SMALL BEAM LENS 100 DEGREE CLEAR

  

Small Beam Lens 100 Degree Frosted

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An optional wide angle beam lense suitable for the single lens 3w and 4w GU10, MR16, R50 spots and R63 spots.  We supply these lamps fitted with a 70 degree clear beam lens as standard.  These frosted 100 degree lenses produce a wider beam, which is softer in appearance.  If you are troubled by 'chromatic fringing' at the edges of the lit area, a frosted lens will reduce this effect. Optical grade glass lens for accurately defined beam angles.  A beam lens retaining ring removal tool is also available separately.

SMALL BEAM LENS 100 DEGREE FROSTED

  

Small Beam Lens 50 Degree Clear

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An optional narrow angle beam lense suitable for the single lens 3w and 4w GU10, MR16, R50 spots and R63 spots.  We supply these lamps fitted with a 70 degree clear beam lens as standard.  These alternative clear 50 degree lenses produce a narrower, tightly focused beam suitable for close positioning and accent lighting applications. Optical grade glass lens for accurately defined beam angles.  A beam lens retaining ring removal tool is also available separately.

SMALL BEAM LENS 50 DEGREE CLEAR

  

Small Beam Lens Removal Tool

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The beam lens retaining ring is reasonably easy to remove by hand, by rotating it anti-clockwise.  If you're lacking in the finger-nail department or a bit worried about getting it wrong, this simple tool will fit into the two slots for effortless removal. 

Please make sure that you do not 'cross-thread' or over tighten the retaining ring when replacing it.  Lamp, lens and retaining ring not included.