What's the difference between an orange peel and a smooth reflector?  

I know what the difference looks like, but how do they affect performance?  Is one more desireable than the other?

Look into holographic front lenses. NASA uses them to inspect turbines and such. Very even light. You will be amazed.

Quoted: Look into holographic front lenses. NASA uses them to inspect turbines and such. Very even light. You will be amazed.

holographic lens?  wtf?  

to be honest, i'm just looking for a new toy, beat up light, so i'll probably be getting a fenix.  (yes, i know they're made in china and not as durable/reliable as surefire, thanks for sharing).  i noticed that they offer both types of reflectors on some lights, and i was curious as to why.  

The orange peel reflector gives a very smooth diffused beam coverage with very few beam artifacts and is good for closer flood purposes.
The smooth reflectors are usually used when you want more throw however they will show many beam artifacts on lower quality units.

Personally I prefer the orange peel, however I have flashlights with both.

Quoted: The orange peel reflector gives a very smooth diffused beam coverage with very few beam artifacts and is good for closer flood purposes. The smooth reflectors are usually used when you want more throw however they will show many beam artifacts on lower quality units. Personally I prefer the orange peel, however I have flashlights with both.

ah, thanks!  

how much extra throw would you guess that a smooth reflector gives?  is it really that significant?

Quoted: Quoted: The orange peel reflector gives a very smooth diffused beam coverage with very few beam artifacts and is good for closer flood purposes. The smooth reflectors are usually used when you want more throw however they will show many beam artifacts on lower quality units. Personally I prefer the orange peel, however I have flashlights with both. ah, thanks!   how much extra throw would you guess that a smooth reflector gives?  is it really that significant?

I guess that all depends....

The orange peel kind of has the effect of de-focusing the beam source giving very smooth consistent area coverage at the expense of some throw.
The smooth reflector tends to try and maintain beam focus for more throw at the cost of beam artifacts, ie. ring bands/off center hot spots/inconsistent coverage linearity.

IMO, on a small general purpose flashlight the loss of throw do to an orange peel reflector would be minimal.  If you want a tight beam spot with maximum throw you will almost have to go with a smooth reflector.

High quality flashlights can have a very good spot beam with a smooth reflector.  Again, I just happen to prefer the nice smooth consistent beam coverage you can get with the orange peel reflector even on less-than-high-quality flashlights...

My opinion only though - ymmv.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: The orange peel reflector gives a very smooth diffused beam coverage with very few beam artifacts and is good for closer flood purposes. The smooth reflectors are usually used when you want more throw however they will show many beam artifacts on lower quality units. Personally I prefer the orange peel, however I have flashlights with both. ah, thanks!   how much extra throw would you guess that a smooth reflector gives?  is it really that significant? I guess that all depends.... The orange peel kind of has the effect of de-focusing the beam source giving very smooth consistent area coverage at the expense of some throw. The smooth reflector tends to try and maintain beam focus for more throw at the cost of beam artifacts, ie. ring bands/off center hot spots/inconsistent coverage linearity. IMO, on a small general purpose flashlight the loss of throw do to an orange peel reflector would be minimal.  If you want a tight beam spot with maximum throw you will almost have to go with a smooth reflector. High quality flashlights can have a very good spot beam with a smooth reflector.  Again, I just happen to prefer the nice smooth consistent beam coverage you can get with the orange peel reflector even on less-than-high-quality flashlights... My opinion only though - ymmv.

ok, thanks for the info.  i guess for my purposes an orange-peel will be fine.  i'm not looking for a burn-your eyes out torch.  

Get the textured reflector for a small Fenix. You'll regret getting a smooth one.

The textured reflector's beam will look like a Surefire and the smooth reflector will look like a Maglite.

great info, thanks everyone.