do-it-yourself diffuser for NiteCore D10

[sizzling7s]

So I decided to make a diffuser for my new D10 and I think it turned out great. All it took was a cap from a 16.9 fl oz Kirkland (Costco) water bottle. The interior of the cap hugs the D10 perfectly. Not too tight, not too loose. You just need to carefully cut it out. Here are some photos from the project. I've followed the CPF threads for years, but I haven't really posted. Hopefully this turns out OK.
-sizzling7s

 

[Paul6ppca]

Some matte scotch tape would also do the same diffusion,I use it on my NDI.more permanent,but totally reveresable.I think it lets a bit more light thru.

 

[WadeF]

Hooray, I have a whole case of those in the garage. Just got one, the cutting begins..

 

[LED-holic]

Sweet!!! Thanks!!!

 

[merlocka]

Some matte scotch tape would also do the same diffusion,I use it on my NDI.more permanent,but totally reveresable.I think it lets a bit more light thru.

I just tried this for the first time. It's really a brilliant effect. Scotch 3M Magic tape, matte finish, FTW.

It might be nice to disassemble the light so I could cover the whole lense, or maybe I just need to trim it better.

Alternately, wasn't Flashlightlens.com selling a diffused coated glass lens in various sizes? I bet that would be nice in the D10.

 

[sizzling7s]

Wade, I'm pretty sure it was one of your earlier posts that had me digging through my different bottle caps...LOL. I tried the tape route, but I don't like having the adhesive heated and potentially melted on/around the lens. On MAX, the D10 can get hot, and the head doesn't come apart easily to clean. In addition, the cap will take the brunt of the impact should I happen to drop it. I also like that I can take the cap off and on with ease. Because I'm OCD, I took a Dremel with a buffing accessory and polished off the rough edges. If it wasn't for the print in the plastic, you would think the diffuser was made for it.

I gotta go before my wife finds me in the flashlight forums, it's a sickness she doesn't understand.

sizzling7s

 

[WadeF]

Funny thing I was thinking of taking the Dremel to this cap. I might try and remove the lettering, etc. I think this will stay on my D10 for now, works good.

 

[Watchguy]

Nice tip. Could probably run a red marker over that cap for a red diffuser.:thumbsup:

 

[Yapo]

heh...it looks like it was made for it. Any beamshots?

 

[sizzling7s]

Max brightness without diffuser - 8ft from wall

Max brightness with diffuser - 8ft from wall

 

[Aluminous]

Nicely done, thanks for the idea and posting those great step-by-step photos. :thumbsup:

Other options that might work for people who don't have Kirkland water bottles around: Taking a look in my fridge, it appears that Ozarka and Nestle water bottles have similar caps.

 

[Mostly]

Cool! But I don't have a D10... yet. I was just about to get a Proton Pro when the D10 came out... so now I'm not sure which to get

(First!)

But back to the topic--I found that two different caps from glue sticks will work as diffusers on my 2nd gen Inova X1, which is 18.3mm diameter. I had to wrap a few loops of scotch tape around the flashlight head to get the glue stick caps to fit snugly, though. This makes me think the 19mm D10 might be a good fit without adding tape.

Maybe someone with a D10 has a glue stick cap to try out? One brand is Avery, and that cap is about two inches long (for a lantern/diffuser), and the other is only about 3/4" long (brand unknown), and will push almost all the way onto the X1.

 

[cave dave]

Hey wow I did the same thing on Wed. Target brand water bottle also fits.

 

[Chaz]

Excellent idea! I took a look at some Poland Spring water bottles and they have the same design lid which fit perfectly. Rather than cutting off all of the outside, removing part of it on each side provides an anti-roll feature as well.

 

[e2x2e]

Some matte scotch tape would also do the same diffusion,I use it on my NDI.more permanent,but totally reveresable.I think it lets a bit more light thru.

I tried your trick. It works well but it doesn't let enough light through(I guess that is the point though). I tried it to try to get rid of the awful Cree ring.


BTW...you can always remove adhesive with WD-40 or Naphtha based fluid...I use Zippoe fluid it removes adhesive really well. Just be careful you don't :candle::wow: <--If you know what I mean...:thumbsup:

 

[Marduke]

While sipping some Kirkland water waiting for fireworks to start tonight, I thought about something. The D10 and NDI use the same reflector, and should be close to the same size. I took the cap off, and sure enough, it works for the NDI too!! Fits nicely and comes just down over the 3 prongs. Immediately took out the swiss army knife and trimmed off the sides while my wife sat there pretending not to know me

I might have a few spare caps laying around for those less fortunate. Send me a PM if you need one in the US.


BTW, the "Satin" Scotch tape (not matte) works best for a diffuser film.

 

[WadeF]

I took my Dremel to my cap and was able to remove the lettering and other plastic bumps, etc. I get a little less than 20% loss. My SF F04 seems to create about 10% loss. My goal is to get about 10% loss through one of these caps, but I don't know if that is posisble.

I'm going to try thinning out the plastic, polishing it up, etc.

 

[Marduke]

These caps also work on the Proton Pro

 

[varuscelli]

Neat idea.

I was playing around with something similar for the "tent light" concept, using a translucent 35mm film canister with the D10. Despite it being stood up in the photo, I was thinking of it more for a suspended overhead light (perhaps).

 

[ruriimasu]

that is nice varuscelli. i just cant seem to find any translucent containers or caps in my home... argh... im gonna run down to a bigger mart to get a bottled drink with one of these caps