I ordered one of the newer 3W aluminum headlamps from focalprice because it looked like it might take a P60 dropin. It doesn't, but it does have a nice heatsink, a standard Cree star (for modding) and it is very nice and light. KD sells one that claims modes, and has the same packaging, but mine has only one mode.
I bought this light as a replacement for my helmet light and I think it will fit the bill nicely. I still can't believe how much metal it has, while remaining under 6 oz with batteries. I'm currently running a battery life test, and the light has been on for 50 minutes. The body is warm, not too hot, very similar to my 6P with a R2 dropin.
Here you can see the weight in oz with batteries and without:
A comparison shot with the rechargeable AAAs I use. One future mod might be to replace these with a single RCR123a or even an 18650 if I really want runtime.
A comparison with my Surefire 6P:
The battery case is cheap, but not too flimsy. It comes with a large o-ring, but I wouldn't want to dunk it under water. It will probably shed rain just fine, but that test will have to wait until later. One very nice feature of the case is that the lid, which snaps on, is attached by a metal ring, so you don't worry about losing it or holding it while changing batteries. Very nice. The battery contacts are cheap and one popped out while pulling out a battery. A dab of glue will fix it.
The base of the light contains a simple clicky switch setup with a spring that provides a contact to the emitter. There is a metal contact that covers the spring, which popped off the first time I took it apart.
Here you can see all the components, my only concern is the multiple paths required for heat to leave the body. All the connections involve threads, so I may end up smearing thermal grease to help heat transfer between each component.
The reflector is low quality smooth plastic. I would like to replace it with a aluminum OP, but getting the threads to align won't be easy for me (any machinists out there???). The lens on this light is really poor quality glass and has a few marks out of the box. I'll probably get a replacement from DX. The body is in fact aluminum, only the reflector and the adjustable base are plastic.
Imagine my grin when I took the reflector off and discovered this:
I only wish I could access the driver, but it is either glued in on the bottom of the heatsink or wedged in really tight. I couldn't get it out with mild pressure and don't want to break it (yet). Can anyone ID this emitter?
The light does protrude a little from the head, but it is so light you don't even feel it. Since it will be on my helmet I don't care, my visor will block it anyway.
And, of course, I must have beamshots. My Sony camera doesn't take the best shots, but here are some. On the left is my 6P with a R2 emitter running off two RCR123As, on the right is the 3AAA headlamp.
The R2 is a good bit brighter, but also runs with more juice. The picture below is the same shot, but with an adjusted exposure.
For $14 I didn't expect much, but I like the headlamp and think it is well worth the money. The fact that I can upgrade it easily makes it a steal. I'll ride around with it tonight and report back.
Sorry for lots of pics, but no one has reported any experience with one of these lights, so I thought I'd be the first.
I bought this light as a replacement for my helmet light and I think it will fit the bill nicely. I still can't believe how much metal it has, while remaining under 6 oz with batteries. I'm currently running a battery life test, and the light has been on for 50 minutes. The body is warm, not too hot, very similar to my 6P with a R2 dropin.
Here you can see the weight in oz with batteries and without:
A comparison shot with the rechargeable AAAs I use. One future mod might be to replace these with a single RCR123a or even an 18650 if I really want runtime.
A comparison with my Surefire 6P:
The battery case is cheap, but not too flimsy. It comes with a large o-ring, but I wouldn't want to dunk it under water. It will probably shed rain just fine, but that test will have to wait until later. One very nice feature of the case is that the lid, which snaps on, is attached by a metal ring, so you don't worry about losing it or holding it while changing batteries. Very nice. The battery contacts are cheap and one popped out while pulling out a battery. A dab of glue will fix it.
The base of the light contains a simple clicky switch setup with a spring that provides a contact to the emitter. There is a metal contact that covers the spring, which popped off the first time I took it apart.
Here you can see all the components, my only concern is the multiple paths required for heat to leave the body. All the connections involve threads, so I may end up smearing thermal grease to help heat transfer between each component.
The reflector is low quality smooth plastic. I would like to replace it with a aluminum OP, but getting the threads to align won't be easy for me (any machinists out there???). The lens on this light is really poor quality glass and has a few marks out of the box. I'll probably get a replacement from DX. The body is in fact aluminum, only the reflector and the adjustable base are plastic.
Imagine my grin when I took the reflector off and discovered this:
I only wish I could access the driver, but it is either glued in on the bottom of the heatsink or wedged in really tight. I couldn't get it out with mild pressure and don't want to break it (yet). Can anyone ID this emitter?
The light does protrude a little from the head, but it is so light you don't even feel it. Since it will be on my helmet I don't care, my visor will block it anyway.
And, of course, I must have beamshots. My Sony camera doesn't take the best shots, but here are some. On the left is my 6P with a R2 emitter running off two RCR123As, on the right is the 3AAA headlamp.
The R2 is a good bit brighter, but also runs with more juice. The picture below is the same shot, but with an adjusted exposure.
For $14 I didn't expect much, but I like the headlamp and think it is well worth the money. The fact that I can upgrade it easily makes it a steal. I'll ride around with it tonight and report back.
Sorry for lots of pics, but no one has reported any experience with one of these lights, so I thought I'd be the first.
