Probably a very stupid question, but I'm trying to figure out the best surface mount leds for a project, i've search here and across the internet and i keep reading that people suggest using high efficiency leds at a low current (1-2ma) but i can't see anyone suggesting actual led part numbers.
When i search for them (digikey/mouser/lcsc), there aren't many 1 or 2ma current leds, and they are rated at a low brightness (mcd rating) and have a max current of 20-30ma, but specify anywhere from 5 to 40mcd @2ma. When i look at 20ma leds, they can often be rated from around 300 to over 1000 (I assume this is subjective by the manufacturer), but have a very similar current / brightness curve chart in their datasheets to the "low current" ones.
Are these basically the same - for instance taking a 20ma led and just using it at the minimum current it will light, such as 2ma? or is there something i'm overlooking - for example, is the material more important than the current rating?
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