I have just picked up a LunaSol 20 over in B-S-T. Like most CPFers I really love the dual lighting system setup. It's a terrific light! The only thing that was going to keep this light out of EDC rotation are the ergonomics of the PD. Then I ran across this thread: https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/209661
and realized that I'm not alone. I know that usually these postings are usually about swapping LEDs or drivers or other electrical gizmo so I hope that you find this an interesting departure.
A quick intro to me: I'm a mechanical process engineer and I also play with race cars. I spend a big part of my life optimizing processes and machinery. As such I can't turn that off in my private life. It's a curse and a blessing...:duh2:
I took the light to work and took some measurements of the force required to actuate the light and compared those forces to the L1 (my current ergonomic favorite). Here's what I found for actuation button force:
Light/Low Level Force (lbs)/Hi Level Force (lbs)
L1 / 1.7 / 3.0
LS20/ 3.7 / 5.2
The values above were recorded on the L1 with tail cap aligned with the machined dots and on the LS20 with the head screwed out to the extent that the light could not be actuated by pressing the head down.
As you can see the LS20 requires roughly twice the force to actuate than the L1.
I figured that I could live with the higher force level if I could press the button easier. The LS20 button is recessed within the tail cap providing a very stable tail stand platform. The L1 button protrudes about 3/8". In my preferred overhand grip I found the button very difficult to work comfortably and with a cigar grip only marginally better. I decided to make a button extension for the LS20. Initially I set the dimensions so that the button would extend 1/8" beyond the tail of the light. I attached the button to the light using a VHB PSA that I had in my garage. The PSA is probably expired so this installation is temporary in my view.
So far I've found this to be much more comfortable. I plan to put the light into dog walking duty for a while to see if I need to make another adjustment or if this will suffice.
Here is a digipic comparing the L1 to the extended LS20 tail button length:
The next two show the comparison of the two lights in my preferred grip:
With the extension I am getting to the button a little better, its just a matter of whether its better enough to satisfy me. I'm still a little concerned with the force level but only time will tell if that will be okay for me.
Regards,
HB
and realized that I'm not alone. I know that usually these postings are usually about swapping LEDs or drivers or other electrical gizmo so I hope that you find this an interesting departure.
A quick intro to me: I'm a mechanical process engineer and I also play with race cars. I spend a big part of my life optimizing processes and machinery. As such I can't turn that off in my private life. It's a curse and a blessing...:duh2:
I took the light to work and took some measurements of the force required to actuate the light and compared those forces to the L1 (my current ergonomic favorite). Here's what I found for actuation button force:
Light/Low Level Force (lbs)/Hi Level Force (lbs)
L1 / 1.7 / 3.0
LS20/ 3.7 / 5.2
The values above were recorded on the L1 with tail cap aligned with the machined dots and on the LS20 with the head screwed out to the extent that the light could not be actuated by pressing the head down.
As you can see the LS20 requires roughly twice the force to actuate than the L1.
I figured that I could live with the higher force level if I could press the button easier. The LS20 button is recessed within the tail cap providing a very stable tail stand platform. The L1 button protrudes about 3/8". In my preferred overhand grip I found the button very difficult to work comfortably and with a cigar grip only marginally better. I decided to make a button extension for the LS20. Initially I set the dimensions so that the button would extend 1/8" beyond the tail of the light. I attached the button to the light using a VHB PSA that I had in my garage. The PSA is probably expired so this installation is temporary in my view.
So far I've found this to be much more comfortable. I plan to put the light into dog walking duty for a while to see if I need to make another adjustment or if this will suffice.
Here is a digipic comparing the L1 to the extended LS20 tail button length:
The next two show the comparison of the two lights in my preferred grip:
With the extension I am getting to the button a little better, its just a matter of whether its better enough to satisfy me. I'm still a little concerned with the force level but only time will tell if that will be okay for me.
Regards,
HB