TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon

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TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon is a older generation Luxeon LED based MiniMag AA bulb replacement. Terralux TLE-5 Luxeon has higher light output as compared to original filament bulb. For the same type of batteries TLE-5 Luxeon will last longer than the incandescent bulb. Since the LED replacement is solid state device, there is no filament to burn out or no glass to break. This makes your beloved MiniMag AA sturdier and last longer without worrying for replacement bulb. Another advantage of using solid state LED is that it offers pure white light as compared to yellow light incandescent bulb. Over the period of operation, the incandescent bulb will turn dark due to deposition of tungsten on inner walls of glass bulb in comparison the Luxeon LED will remain in good condition for considerably long duration. The Luxeon LED operates at higher voltage than original incandescent bulb. For this purpose, Terralux has employed regulated step up electronic circuitry to drive the LED. TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon package includes custom reflector. The replacement of incandescent bulb is a simple two step process which involves replacing original reflector with custom reflector and replacing the incandescent bulb with LED replacement. TerraLUX TLE-5 Luxeon light module has gold plated contact pins for better connectivity.
Note: This review is based on recent review of TerraLUX TLE-5EX MiniStar2 Extreme. You may find some of the contents similar; however, we have highlighted the major differences wherever necessary.
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Light Features:

• Luxeon LED
• Custom reflector
• Regulated step up drive circuit
• Single light output level

Light Operation: The light operation remains same as that of MiniMag 2 AA Light. Twist in clockwise direction to switch ON and focus. Twist counterclockwise to change focus or switch OFF.

The chart showing total output of TLE-5 Luxeon with various batteries.

TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon
Illumination Source	Sanyo Eneloop AA	Alkaline AA
TerraLUX TLE-5 Luxeon	232	280
Original Incandescent	55	65

General Info
ID	49
Light Model	TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon
Manufacturer	TerraLUX
Review Page & Image	TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon
Country	United States
Review Date	2008-08-23
Review Update	2008-08-23
Light Vitals
Length	17 mm
Width / Bezel Diameter	16 mm
Width / Tube Diameter	mm
Height (if applicable)	mm
Weight (without battery)	0 gm
Light Source
LED Format	Power LED
Number of LEDs	1
LED Name	Luxeon III
LED Power	3  Watts
Light Management
Lens Material	Acrilic
Lens Coating (if any)	None
Lens Transperency (typical)	70
Lumen Management	Reflector
Material	Plastic
Beam Type	Variable Focus
Power Management
Converter Type	Step Up
Properties	Semi Regulated
Features	Simple
Batteries Supported, Output & Runtime
Battery Size     Chemistry     Nominal Voltage     # Used     Total Output     Runtime to 75%     Runtime to 50%     Runtime to 25%	AA AA NiMH   Alk   1.2 1.6 2 2 232 280 318 0 447 0 458 0
Switch Options
Switch Type     Switch Properties	Not Applicable Not Applicable
Body Material Options
Material     Properties     Color	Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable
Light Rating
Looks	60
Build Quality	70
Runtime	60
Output	45
Features	20
Usability	65
Bang for buck	50
Overall Rating	52.857

Packaging: TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon is packaged in simple blister type packaging. Single thin cardboard paper based literature displays information about the product on both sides. On the front, listed are the major features and the function of the TLE-5. The TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon LED kit includes a custom designed plastic reflector.

On the back side of the TLE-5 MiniStar2 packaging, there is detailed information about LED and instructions to replace old incandescent bulb with the new Luxeon LED upgrade kit.


Inside the blister package, custom reflector and TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon light module are placed in molded plastic container.


Here is a closeup of TerraLUX Module and Reflector


Here is a closeup of TerraLUX Module and Reflector sideways


Size Comparison: Comparing size with standard AA battery, The diameter of TLE-5 Luxeon module is about same as that of AA battery. The overall length of module including the pins is about 25 mm.


Here is another size comparison of TerraLUX TLE-5 Luxeon size with incandescent 2AA MiniMag bulb. Notice the darkening incandescent bulb.




Comparing with the Cree version TerraLUX TLE-5EX Ministar2 Extreme LED Replacement.


Comparing side view with the Cree version TerraLUX TLE-5EX Ministar2 Extreme LED Replacement. One of the most noticeable difference that you must have observed already is that the Luxeon version of TerraLUX TLE-5 has metal enclosure. The metal enclosure provides considerably better heat sinking as against simple PCB of TerraLUX TLE-5EX Cree LED Replacement. At the same time, it should be noted that the Cree LED is inherently more efficient and more of electricity is converted in to light than heat.


TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon: Here is a closeup picture of the module. As you can see the Luxeon LED is placed perfectly in center directly. Metal enclosure encapsulates entire circuitry and protects the inner contents. Metal enclosure also assists in heat sinking the LED.


Here is a 360 view composite image of TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon light module. All electronics are encapsulated in metal enclosure and the only parts that are exposed are the LED and gold plated contact LED's. Metal enclosure makes the whole assembly extremely durable.


Installing TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon on MiniMag AA: On the back side of packaging instructions to install the LED module are available. Here is the picture for your easy reference.


Installation is very simple process. So with the instructions as above, let's begin installing the TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon LED Replacement. Picture here shows dissembled view of MiniMag 2AA. Open up the head and the bezel as shown below, replace the old reflector with the custom reflector from TerraLUX, reassemble bezel ring back. Next step is to install the TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon Light Module. This is even simpler step. Just remove the old bi-pin incandescent bulb by pulling it out and replace it with the new LED replacement module.


Picture here shows installed new custom reflector on MiniMag head and the TLE-5 MiniStar2 module.


If it does not light up, remove, rotate by 180 degree to reverse the direction of pins and re install. There, you see light. Caution: Do not look/stare at LED directly! It's extremely bright and may cause temporary or permanent eye damage.


Here is a picture of completed assembly.

The beam from Luxeon LED and custom reflector of TerraLUX TLE-5 is very good. The beam has defined hotspot with soft edges forming corona. The side spill is relatively less bright. Overall, the beam quality is very good. Under extreme wide focus mode the beam develops inevitable donut shape, however for medium wide focus the beam is very acceptable. The Beam Shots Matrix shows TerraLUX TLE-5 installed on MiniMag 2AA flashlight with 2 x 2000 mAh Sanyo Eneloop NiMH Rechargeable batteries. All beam shots are taken at f/8 aperture with varying shutter speed.

	TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon (Spot Focus)	TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon (Wide Focus)
1/1000
1/500
1/250
1/100
1/50
1/25
1/10
1/5
1/2.5
1

Equipment Used: Custom built Integrating Sphere with Gossen Mavolux 5032 Class B USB Light Meter as photometer. Mavolux 5032 B USB is high precision, high accuracy and high quality light meter with conformance to DIN 5032-7 and CIE 69 standards. Utmost care has taken to ensure that the light measurements are accurate. Click here to read more about Gossen Mavolux 5032 USB Light Meter.

NiMH AA: The runtime for TerraLUX TLE-5 MiniStar2 Luxeon with 2 x 2000 mAh Sanyo Eneloop NiMH AA batteries is about 7 Hours and 27 Minutes till 50%. The Light begins with 23 Lumens out front slowly settling down around 18 Lumens maintaining this level for throughout the runtime.