Light Source Comparison
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Fiber Optics |
LEDs |
| Light Presentation |
Smooth and continuous
(well diffused) |
Spaced
(spots typically visible) |
| White Light |
Cool or warm white
(can vary with illuminator lamp) |
Cool white |
| Color Options |
Yes, with color wheels |
Yes, choice of LED color |
| Color Changes |
Yes, with color wheels |
No |
| Installation |
Numerous fiber cables run to light source |
Numerous wire pairs run to power source |
| Maintenance |
Illuminator lamp replacements |
None |
| Heat Output |
None in fiber (within letters)
significant from illuminators |
Minimal (within letters) |
| Intensity Drop |
Slow and typically imperceptible;
Corrects with lamp replacement |
Sooner and perceptible;
Correction requires refurbishing |
| Component Life* |
5 to 10 years |
2 to 3 years |
| Initial Cost |
Higher |
Lower |
- In LEDs, this factor depends on the amount of use. Though LEDs are often marketed as having life spans of up to 100,000 hours, in reality this is overly optimistic, especially from generic imports. LEDs come in various qualities and configurations, and the systems that feed them impact their useful life as well. Whether they emit light for a long time is not really the issue. The real issue is their useful brightness as they age.
We are estimating figures for relative comparison only, excluding fiber illuminator lamps.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 March 2009 )
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