So an alkaline says 1.5 volts but under load it generally begins at 1.2 and falls from there.
As you can see in the chart (in your link) the lithium can be at 1.4 volts for 3 hours.
So that's 9.8 volts pretty steady versus 8.4 and falling.
You can probably make a tightly wrapped paper sleeve and load/unload it like a magazine if worried about leaks.
Eneloops begin at about 1.0 volts but hold that steady so dimming will be less noticed. Run time eneloop vs alkaline? Got me. If opt for high demand uses from an eneloop I buy eneloop pro.
Well, I don't mean sort of 'ready', I mean really ready - to grab and go - as in 'right now'. No un-screwing / screwing tailcaps, etc. Theoretically, I don't have any time to sacrifice, but also don't want to compromise any of the modest output of the light.
I don't want to put words in your mouth, but sounds like you think the risk w/ 7 L91s might be significant(?), which I was suspecting it might be. I think the Eneloop Pros in it now may be under-performing vs alkaline (?), but don't have any alkalines to test with; not to use, but to test with. Frankly, I'd rather not even waste any money buying any.
I have plenty of L91s. Do you think 6x L91s and a single cell spacer is a viable solution? It sounds like it might be ideal for me, if that would yield similar performance to the dreaded alkalines, but would rather not be frying any of the OE bulbs I have.
The output of this light is not such that I want to compromise / lower it. I'd rather not retrofit it to LED, but also don't want to degrade stock performance. There's not enough output for me to be willing to degrade / sacrifice any of it. I'm after max (full stock) performance, with max reliability here, and ready to rock in an instant. Remember - mine's a 'user', and when I grab it, things may not be going well.
Asked another way: What would you do if your requirements matched mine?
EDIT: I don't know the over-voltage tolerance of the bulbs in the first place. Battery-powered devices are not typically designed with much if any over-voltage tolerance, just under-voltage, so I assume it is minimal. Also, run time is not a high priority.