Originally Posted by
ViperZ
Looking at Cutter Electronics to build a DIY 3 array LED of the same class as say a Dinotte 600L, it would cost at least $174 for the 3 emitter Cree MR11 Kit (includes LED driver), and a slick machined housing.
Breaking down your $174 figure:
~$15 US for a triple lens (Cutter or LED Spot)
~$18 US for three emitters (Deal Extreme)
~$32 US for the driver (Task LED)
--Total minus the housing ~$65 US... so it's safe to say the majority of the cost involved is the housing (Electronics - $65, Batteries - $65, Housing $100+ if you are buying it pre-made).
Still the 100+ for a housing is a bit steep. This is probably due to them not being made in quantity by whoever is charging that much... considering you can get a 'Cree x3 X-550' flashlight on ebay for that much... that's a flashlight, with the electronics (emitters/lenses and driver), a machined aluminum body, two Lion rechargeable batteries, a charger,
and shipping.