I want to focus on frensel lens below aspherics lens similar to VB50. There are several typs (aspherics frensel , classic frensel made from glass or acryl) Cheaper acryl with diameter arround 2'' has price 25-29$ that mean 20-24€.
Yes quality optics is not cheap , but even MB-SUB must have some argumentation for price of head which is 495€ if you want to implement on your system (adapter+cable +VB50) . I think profit there is quite absorbing
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For instance twin cave is much more complicated head for machining , it have two ostar leds which is each expensive at least as one SST-50 , reflectors , solid switching mechanism (instead of ring magnet) then electronics but it is 10€ cheaper !!!
Have you ever tried any of the Edmunds aspherical lenses at $35-$45 and compared them to the DX lenses at $2.00?
I'm wondering how much better they are?
No , but I'm quite sure that quality light is product of common quality (construction of housing , machining housing (thermal managment ), optics, electronics, and hand composing it together). Because of that reason it is very hard for DIY to get same or better results on modified hand flashlights like maglite or similar.