GlassJoe
Well-Known Member
I've recently been in touch with a person selling an Optic 6 COB LED setup for ~$350. I originally thought it was an amazing deal, but after looking at the listing, I realized that the Optic 6 went from Cree CXB2540 COBs in generation 3 to Cree CXB3590 COBs in generation 4. Is it still a good enough deal to warrant interest? What is the relative difference in output between the CXB2540s and CXB3590s? By comparison to what the light cost to purchase it's a good deal, but from what I can tell, the actual COBs are not terribly expensive these days. CXB2540s look to be around $10-12 versus CXB3590s at around $38-42, maybe $30 off alibaba.
www.cree.com
This table seems to suggest that they're similarly efficient but the 2540 has a little less than half the output of the 3590.
XLamp® CXB Standard Density LEDs - Cree LED
The XLamp CXB Standard Density LED family delivers excellent efficacy at lower drive currents, as well as the highest level of reliability for COB LEDs through Cree LED’s expertise in ceramic substrates. Featuring a full range of LES sizes, color options and performance levels, the CXB family...

This table seems to suggest that they're similarly efficient but the 2540 has a little less than half the output of the 3590.