Cree is not only a language native to North America,but it also describes a company that is popular for its LED products. While they sell high-quality heat sinks, drivers, and other modules, they are most famous for providing industry-standard LED chips. Furthermore, Cree LEDs chips are so good that most top-tier lighting manufacturers incorporate them into their products. People tend to use product names and company names interchangeably.Therefore, if someone refers to Cree LEDs, they are most likely talking about their LED chips.
Cree LEDs are great for industrial use cases. However,if you are a hobbyist, Cree LEDs are also great for DIY LED projects. Nevertheless, in this guide, we will cover what Cree LEDs are and what types are available. Without further ado…
Cree LEDs: What are they?
As a company, Cree (Wolfspeed) has been around since 1987. From that time, they have been producing some of the best lighting-class LEDs on the market. While the original Cree no longer exists, their tradition of producing top-quality LED chips remains under the Smart Global Holdings and Cree LED banner.
Cree LEDs and LED chips tend to be high-powered. Customers use them in video screens, outdoor lighting, emergency lighting, flashlights, industrial lighting, and vehicles. You can also use them in general lighting. Cree LEDs are efficient, deliver high lumen density, and are very reliable.
Unsurprisingly, Cree LEDs are so popular and liked that counterfeiters make and sell fake Cree LEDs. Therefore, if you plan to purchase any products with Cree LEDs, you need to ensure that you purchase them from a trustworthy source.
However, why would you want to purchase Cree LEDs? If the above text does not convince you, then maybe the next section will. In it, we give a brief run-down of some of the advantages of purchasing and working with Cree LEDs.
What Are The Advantages of Using Cree LEDs?
What advantage does Cree have over other manufacturers? Additionally, what can they offer you that other manufacturers cannot? Here is a list:
How Does a Cree LED Work?
Cree LEDs work just as any semiconductor does. Current flows through a conductor that carries it to the diode. The diode then emits photons, which appear to us as light. What makes Cree’s LED technology different is the materials and approach to developing their LED chips. A good example of this is their CPW5 Z-Rec high-power silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky diodes.
Cree LED Comparison
Which Cree LED is best? Which Cree LED chip does your light fixture use? In this section of the guide, we will be answering these questions. Essentially, we will cover some of Cree’s best technology.
Cree XP-L HI V3
We also know this LED as the XLamp XP-L High Intensity. It is possible to create a DIY Cree LED grow light kit or DIY Aquarium lights. In commercial applications, we use it in flashlights such as the Nitecore 1000-lumen flashlight. The Cree XP-L HI V3 is a single-die LED. It has a maximum light output of 1095 lumens at 10 Watts. Furthermore, it has a maximum junction temperature of 150 °C.
Cree XP-G2
The Cree XP-G2 or Cree XLamp XP-G2 LED (in full) comes in two formats. You can find it in the standard LED form or the high efficacy version. Additionally, the standard has a maximum output of 586 lumens at 5 Watts, while the high efficacy version has an output of 735 lumens at 5.8 Watts.
Cree XP-E2
The Cree XP-E2 or Cree XLamp XP-E2 (in full) is particularly suitable in applications where manufacturers require a mixture of light colors. Some of the colors it is available in include white, red, blue, green, amber, and outdoor white. Additionally, it is available in far-red, which is basically infrared. This makes it a Cree IR LED. Moreover, these chips generally have a light output of 1095 lumens at ten watts.
Cree XP-E
The Cree XP-E or XLamp XP-E improves the XR-E version (we talk about it further down the guide). It has an 80% smaller footprint. Additionally, it is available in a wide array of colors. For instance, you can find it in amber, red-orange, red, royal blue, and green. It has a wide viewing angle of 115 to 130 degrees. Additionally, these LEDs have a maximum light output of 307 lumens at 3.5 Watts. You can find the Cree XP-E in a quad Cree LED design with four LEDs. A good example of this is the Cree XPE Quad Pod 4-Up Royal-Blue LED.
Cree XHP35
The Cree XHP35 or Cree XLamp XHP35 is available as a high-density or high-intensity LED. What Cree attempted to achieve with the Cree XHP35 is a high-power LED with a smaller footprint. Thus, what customers can expect is a 3.45 x 3.45 mm LED that delivers 50% more light output than Cree’s previous top-performance single-die LEDs.
Cree XPG
The Cree XLamp XP-G LED is another small form LED that delivers high lumen directional lighting. It has a maximum light output of 493 lumens at 5 watts. Moreover, it has a viewing angle of 125 degrees. It is available in various whites, including 80-CRI, 85-CRI, and 90-CRI.
Cree XT-E
The Cree XT-E (XLamp XT-E White) delivers high-intensity directional lighting. It is available in white or royal blue. In both instances, it can deliver a maximum light output of 629 lumens at 5 Watts. Additionally, it has a viewing angle of 115 degrees.
Cree XR-E
The Cree XLamp XR-E LED is one of Cree’s older semiconductors. Chips such as the XP-E are successors to this LED. Nevertheless, the Cree XR-E is available in white, green, blue, and royal blue. Furthermore, it has standard binning and delivers a maximum light output of 251 lumens at 4 Watts.
Cree XM-L RGB
The Cree XM-L RGB or Cree XLamp XM-L Color LED is a multicolor LED available in a single 5 mm x 5 mm package. What makes this LED chip particularly special is that it contains individual addressable LEDs. Thus, it can emit a combination of red, blue, green, and white light. It has a viewing angle of 130 degrees.
Cree CXA LED Arrays
Cree CXA LED arrays are available in two basic sizes. You can find them as small standard-density integrated arrays as well as large standard-density integrated arrays. However, each basic size consists of more differently sized options. You can find small CXA LED arrays as small as 6 mm and as large as 14 mm sizes. A large CXA LED array can be between 19 mm and 30 mm in size. Each size has its own unique lumen range.
Cree LED Optics
Cree LED optics increase or diffused the illumination of Cree XLamp LEDs. Additionally, you can use them to control illumination patterns. You can find Cree LED optics for XT-E, XP-E, XP-G2, XM-L2, MC-E, and XR-E LEDs.
Did COB lead vs. Cree: Which is better?
COB stands for Chip on board. It is a relatively young technology. You can consider it the next step in the evolution of the LED. While Cree does specialize in mostly surface-mount device LEDs, they do build COB-based LED products. A good example of this is their CXA2 array LEDs. We cover them briefly in the section above.
Nevertheless, chip-on-board LEDs consist of multiple “naked” LED chips connected in a substrate. COB LEDs deliver better lighting performance than standard SMD LEDs.
It would not make sense to compare Cree LEDs to COB LEDs. The former is a company that produces all types of different LED technology. The latter is an LED technology that the former also produces. Thus, it is possible to purchase a Cree COB LED. The comparison is faulty.
Conclusion
It is easy to see that if you are looking for high-quality products for your project, then Cree LEDs and modules are a safe bet. Cree LEDs come in all shapes and sizes and are available for almost any application that requires electroluminescence. While they may be a little more expensive than other LED chips, they are generally more efficient and long-lasting. This equates to money savings in the end. Nevertheless, we hope you have enjoyed reading this guide. If you are looking for more information on PCB assembly, please do not hesitate to visit our website. As always, thank you for reading.
Cree LED lights are a type of light-emitting diode (LED) used in various applications. LEDs are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric current passes through them. Cree is a leading manufacturer of LEDs, and their products are used in a wide range of applications, including lighting, automotive, electronics, and more. RECON offers a range of Cree products, including light bulbs, flashlights, headlamps, and more.
Cree LEDs are known for their high efficiency and brightness, and they are used in various settings, including homes, businesses, and public spaces. Cree offers a wide range of LED products that differ in terms of size, shape, color, and other features.
LED bulbs are more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs because they do not rely on filaments that weaken and break over time. LED bulbs last longer than conventional incandescent bulbs, making them a more cost-effective solution in the long run in terms of both replacement costs and operating costs.
As LED manufacturing continues to scale, the cost to produce these bulbs has come down drastically, meaning that the up-front investment expense to install superior lighting in your truck is becoming a realistic option for more and more people.
LED bulbs are produced by combining different chemicals to create a semiconductor. Simply put, a semiconductor is a material that can connect and conduct electricity. The most common semiconductor used in LED bulbs is silicon. However, Cree uses a different type of semiconductor called gallium nitride (GaN). The main advantage of using GaN over silicon is that it can produce more light while consuming less power making Cree LEDs more efficient than other types of LEDs on the market.
This semiconductor is then placed onto a heat sink, which helps to dissipate the heat that is generated by the LED. The unit is placed into weather-tight housing and covered with a lens to protect it from the elements. Since LED bulbs do not rely on filaments like traditional incandescent bulbs, they are much more durable and have a longer lifespan.
The term "LED" refers to a light-emitting diode (LED), which is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current is passed through it. Cree is a leading manufacturer of LEDs, and their products are used in a wide range of applications, including lighting, automotive, electronics, and more.
"CREE LED" refers explicitly to a light-emitting diode manufactured by Cree, Inc., a highly-respected company known for producing some of the industry's best LED components available. If you are looking for a high-quality and reliable bulb for your truck, Cree is a great option, and RECON has the goods you are looking for.
One of the main ways that Cree LEDs are different from other types of LEDs is in terms of efficiency. Cree LEDs are known for their minimal energy use and notable brightness, and Cree's superior CRI (Color Rendering Index) produces exceptional color quality and illuminates the details of the road that you need to pay attention to in order to stay safe while you are having fun.
Some of the advantages of using Cree LEDs include:
There are many different LED manufacturers, but not all LEDs are created equal. Cree, Inc. is an industry leader, and its innovative approach to producing reliable, durable, and bright bulbs makes them a leader in the lighting world. Discerning truck owners know that Cree LEDs are the best option for anyone who focuses on high-quality goods to keep their truck running smoothly for years to come.
If you are unsure whether your LED lights contain Cree LEDs, you can contact the manufacturer of your light fixture or bulbs to inquire. Alternatively, you can look for the "Cree" logo on the packaging of your light bulbs or fixtures. If you have bought a third-party piece of equipment, check for branding on the packaging as well as the bulbs or semiconductors.
Lightbars are often used on emergency vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. They can also be used on construction vehicles, tow trucks, and other types of utility vehicles. They are also popular for off-roading because of the superior lighting and range they offer when compared to headlights. Lightbars are most often mounted in the front of the vehicle, and, depending on the specific use case, may be mounted on the front bumper, the hood, or even on the roof of the vehicle. Lightbars can also be mounted in the rear, but more often the rear is illuminated with different, smaller LED spotlights.
Lightbars have historically used incandescent bulbs, but many newer models use LEDs. LEDs are superior to incandescent bulbs in many ways, including their durability — a great selling point for anyone taking their vehicle off the beaten path.
A Cree lightbar typically has two rows of high-powered LEDs and offers variable brightness depending on your needs, but in nearly every case, you are not legally allowed to use a lightbar on public roads or highways. Check with your local and state ordinances and laws to make sure you have a clear understanding of how you can use your lightbar safely and legally.
If you are looking for a high-quality LED lightbar, Cree is an excellent option. Their products offer superior lighting and durability, backed by a trusted brand.
Cree, Inc. was founded in 1987 as a start-up out of North Carolina State University. The company was first focused on how to use silicon carbide as a foundation for LED technology. 2 years later, in 1989, Cree produced the first blue LED — and the first major application for silicon carbide — which is still a core technology used in most LEDs today.
Cree, Inc. is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, United States. The company produces a wide range of semiconductor products, including LEDs, power devices, and wireless solutions. Cree has been a publicly-traded company since 1993 and is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol CREE.
In 1999, Cree introduced the world's first high-power blue LED. This breakthrough technology paved the way for the development of white LED lighting. In 2002, Cree launched the XLamp® product line of high-performance power LEDs, which revolutionized the lighting industry by delivering unprecedented levels of light output and efficiency.
In 2012, Cree announced plans to invest $1 billion in a new state-of-the-art semiconductor facility in North Carolina, US. The new facility, which is now operational, has created over 1,000 jobs in the area and consistently produces world-class semiconductors that go into many of the Cree offerings.
Cree is a global company with operations in the United States, Canada, China, and Europe. The company's products are used in a wide range of applications, including lighting, automotive, electronics, and more, and RECON carries a large inventory of Cree LEDs for many different vehicle needs.
RECON offers an extensive catalog of Cree products for your trucking needs. Whether you are replacing existing LED bulbs, adding new auxiliary lights, or looking to upgrade your existing incandescent lighting to brighter, more reliable, and more efficient LEDs, we are here to help.
If you want to learn more about which options are best for you, contact our team right away.