When will we see a P60 style headlight?

[Ace12]

It would be nice to have a headlight that i can buy p60 style drop-in and just pop in in. That way you can have the beam of your choice and upgrade to a better emmiter when the technology changes. One of you flashlight makers need to jump on this. I'll buy the first one.

[kevinm]

Working on it...

[psychbeat]

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Im DYING to get my nailbender DUAL R2 XPG 4000k module
in a HEADLAMP....

or my SST50...

single 18650 is my preference..

oh man have I been waiting for one of these..

[Jagge]

I have been using P60 dropin based headlamps for quite some time. But instead of dropping it in an additional body I have soldered wires directly to dropin and used dropin itself as lamps body. It it isn't that difficult to solder some wires, get head band and use something like hose clamp to attach the dropin to the head band. Lamp becomes more lightweight without additional body, works great if it doesn't need to be so waterproof you could submerge it. Currenly I have two p60 dropin headlamps in use, single P7 version and dual P7 headlamp (avatar). Both has been in use over an year now, both still going strong.

[motorwerks]

I was just thinking about this today. I want one, it sucks that I just threw away an old head lamp the other day, I might have been able to make that work. That said I have some ideas.

[psychbeat]

I have been using P60 dropin based headlamps for quite some time. But instead of dropping it in an additional body I have soldered wires directly to dropin and used dropin itself as lamps body. It it isn't that difficult to solder some wires, get head band and use something like hose clamp to attach the dropin to the head band. Lamp becomes more lightweight without additional body, works great if it doesn't need to be so waterproof you could submerge it. Currenly I have two p60 dropin headlamps in use, single P7 version and dual P7 headlamp (avatar). Both has been in use over an year now, both still going strong.

whoa! thats kool!

if its not a hassle could you please post a couple pics (avatar is kinda small)

also, im wondering about heatsinking etc.

thanks!

[CampingLED]

You could Moddoo to make you one http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...d.php?t=222588

[psychbeat]

I PMed him about it with no response.
Im sure he's busy with the triple XPG drop-ins
or something else cool

[mrbubbles]

Read this thread.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...d.php?t=238165

[psychbeat]

whoa! thanks!!

that looks promising. I might have to buy one and
try modding it or send it to nailbender or milky or someone..

Id probably want to make a 1X 18650 batt holder and

put a UCL in there and some extra copper strips on the
pill.

Id still like something a little more buttoned down and
less macgyvered

[kayakjax]

I've been looking for a P60 headlamp, too.

I don't have great light-fabrication skills (yet), and would like to start with a higher quality starting point.

Any more options out there?

[psychbeat]

Im thinking of ordering a couple of cheap
DX P7 modules and mounting them on
some piece of old bike part or something
and just using aligator clips on an 18650 in a
sandwich bag.. pretty ghetto.

no switch just put on the clip. I have some old
seatpost left overs n other ano aluminum bits.
or maybe get a couple of cheap
solarforce bezels n JBweld them at an angle off
a flat backing. Im so short on time these days and
would rather be outside than in the garage..

Id rather have a more elegant "out of the box"
type set up too though. maybe someday...

[Sgt. LED]

I've been asking for this very thing for about 2 years and so far nobody will take up the job.
A couple different people have played with the idea and made a prototype but at this point it's all vapor, old vapor at that.

This is a big market just floating around with nobody to take advantage of. You want flood, 15 seconds later you have you M60F beaming. You need some real distance? You just toss in your Deerelight R2 XR-E with smooth reflector and you're good.
The flexibility ensures that the product stays viable for years and yet there is no one with the gumption to give it a go and make some money.

[psychbeat]

^^^amen.

tons of mtb-ers n cavers would be all over it if
it was simple and tough.

[Blindasabat]

I think the problem is a headband attachment method. Most headlights use a small plastic pivot hard to machine in aluminum. I just made a simple adapter for a Malkoff to attach to my bike helmet mount only because it uses a single bolt attachment. I posted pictures in the transportation / bike forum. If there are some headlight mounts that are similarly simple then maybe there is a way.
But the second problem is that the length of a P60 makes it hard to keep it small and mounted low in front of the forehead like an elastic band requires.

[swrdply400mrelay]

But the second problem is that the length of a P60 makes it hard to keep it small and mounted low in front of the forehead like an elastic band requires.

How about a headlamp housing with a more shallow reflector that at least accepts the P60 pills?

[red02]

Those old fulton angeled army lights seem like the best candidates.

[Therrin]

I'm actually working on a dual P60 headlamp platform. Constructing something that is dual drop-in, dual switched, and still small and light is not overly simple, especially when it needs to be waterproof and rugged enough for real use. I do professional mineshaft exploration; so I'm working around it from that in mind as a "usable" aspect.

I'm actually working on it *right now* in solidworks, I just jumped on to check out some stuff for the internals. Haven't been on here in several months. Good to be back

[psychbeat]

I'm actually working on a dual P60 headlamp platform. Constructing something that is dual drop-in, dual switched, and still small and light is not overly simple, especially when it needs to be waterproof and rugged enough for real use. I do professional mineshaft exploration; so I'm working around it from that in mind as a "usable" aspect.

I'm actually working on it *right now* in solidworks, I just jumped on to check out some stuff for the internals. Haven't been on here in several months. Good to be back

AWESOME!

PLEASE KEEP US POSTED!

[joanne]

I'm actually working on a dual P60 headlamp platform. Constructing something that is dual drop-in, dual switched, and still small and light is not overly simple, especially when it needs to be waterproof and rugged enough for real use. I do professional mineshaft exploration; so I'm working around it from that in mind as a "usable" aspect.

I'm actually working on it *right now* in solidworks, I just jumped on to check out some stuff for the internals. Haven't been on here in several months. Good to be back

Oh sure you are....

Ok, so if you weren't so busy going into old, abandoned mines and making things go "Boom" it would already be done!


I'm looking forward to seeing your headlamp in action. Are both LEDs going to be for throw or will it be flood/throw? You know that I'm always available for product testing. Hey, what are friend for? Right?

I'm currently playing around with some 18650x3 battery packs for my Apex Pros. I'm tired of running through the cr123 batteries every time we head out. I purchased an Accucel-6 charger and have 6 18650 cells from a laptop to make some "test" battery packs with. Next I'll order new, protected batteries and make my "real" battery packs.

I won't have lights as good as you and Speedy, but at least I'll get some decent run time and be able to recharge them.

Sorry I missed the last trip! It looks like it was a good one. We have to get you out to Delamar, hopefully before the snow starts flying!!

Joanne

[Therrin]

More like, if I wasn't spending the first several weeks teaching myself how to do everything in Solidworks, I'd already be done!

Truthfully, I've finished one handheld/rail-mounted light design and already gone over it with my machinist. Prototypes should be finished soon.

As it's rail-mountable (picatinny rail), anything you can bolt a 2 slot picatinny rail to, you can mount this light on; be it a helmet or anything else.

I have started working on a front-mounted headlamp design using dual p60 style dropins and dual switches, but I'm a little stuck as to what I'm using for the internal stuff. I want it to be a "true" drop-in design, so no soldering on the dropins. Right now looking over switching options and methods for attaining a very high level of waterproofing. Think I've come up with a good solution but it'll need a little bit more modelling before I'm really ready to shoot for a prototype with it.

Also designing 18650 battery packs to complement it. Aluminum outer casing, master on/off, LED indicator.


And everything they've said is true. You let ANYTHING get in the way of your designing, and next thing you know a week has gone by and you haven't done anything to it. Otherwise I'm in solidworks, with a pile of flashlight parts on my desk, and my digital calipers out taking measurements and refining down design ideas.

It's a very slow process.

Nice to see you on here though. Missed your D/O cooking at the last trip. I think I ate more meals at the Crowbar than I did in camp on that one.

[Therrin]

Totally stuck at this point on what switches I want to use. I'd like to maintain a very high level of waterproofness. I've been looking at using the "magnetospheric" switches, some kinda new generation of reed switches. Or possibly just using clicky's, but I want smaller ones than 20mm. Maybe 16mm.

Ok, here's a question, who knows a really good clicky switch supplier that carries 20mm and 16mm, and both forward and reverse clicky switches?

[psychbeat]

plain clickys might be enough - but with some of the higher power drop-ins
you may be limited on how much current they can handle. McClickies only
handle ~5a. Id check out the Fettie by vanisleDSM maybe?
Im following this with rapt attention... please make a few extra to sell!!!
Id probably want to mount one on a headband if possible - if not then
Id mount the rail on my fullface mountain bike helmet hopefully under the
visor.

[Therrin]

My entire purpose for doing it at this point is to make them marketable.
Originally I just wanted a better headlamp for myself, till I realized that with some proficiency in solidworks, and the determination to put good materials and parts together you can make something better than what's on the market; and that people will likely want them as well.

Sten's are "expensive", but they're almost cheap compared to those other one's coming outta Europe. I don't recall the name.

Only thing is that Stens, like most lights, "you get what you get". I'm not sure that dropin systems are as efficient, and they're definitely bulkier, but I really like the concept of purchasing/making a platform; and you vary the type and style of lighting output for your changing needs.

I was just about to order some of the magnetosphere switches till I realized that they're just momentary unless you have something holding the activator in position. They of course come either NC or NO, and are similar to reed switches, but much more durable and they don't freeze in place on overvoltages. Can't get the models much further till I know exactly what internals I'm using. Gah...

[psychbeat]

its almost the end of daylight savings time and Im
itching to upgrade my headlamp situation....

either one of these or an Ahorton - whichever is done first

[shao.fu.tzer]

When I read the title of the post I thought you meant like.. you know.. car headlights.. That would be cool... Pop in some drop-ins into your car! Now there's a thought... I have tons of drop-ins that are brighter than the POS lamps on the car I drive...

[psychbeat]

^^^^yeah dual quads would be beter than my 1986 Corolla GTS sealed beam
halogens- imagine dual quads on yer head!!

....sigh it's been years tho

[kevinm]

Almost done with the prototype...

[kevinm]

I'm testing the prototype this weekend in cave, but I thought I'd add a picture or two to the thread.





I'll start a thread about this when we're close to a pre-order.


Kevin

[kevinm]

It would be nice to have a headlight that i can buy p60 style drop-in and just pop in in. That way you can have the beam of your choice and upgrade to a better emmiter when the technology changes. One of you flashlight makers need to jump on this. I'll buy the first one.

Can I hold you to that?