Any single AA light with no big head single mode XR-E R2 that are easy to take apart?

[gcbryan]

The title says it all. Are there any DX type single AA budget lights using a XR-E R2 (or close) single mode with the head close to the same size as the body that is easy to take apart

Also, I know that cheap 28mm aspheric lens are available on the usual sites. Has anyone seen any smaller sizes as in a size that might fit into the light described above?

Substituting a 14500 in the above might make for an interesting light.

Thanks.

 

[robostudent5000]

still looking for the AA thrower eh?

have you tried putting in an aspheric on your K109?

 

[gcbryan]

still looking for the AA thrower eh?

have you tried putting in an aspheric on your K109?

Just trying different approaches. If I can't find one ready made I'll do it myself. I gave the K109 away. That was a 1 CR123 light however. I want the single AA form even if I end up using a 14500. Also, as I recall it wasn't that easy to get into the head. I did it to replace an o-ring but I had to rough up the light a bit. I had the non-programmable version as well and I screwed up that light permanently taking the switch out. Too much press fit plastic.

I'll have to go and search through all the AA lights at DX again I guess and see if there is something with a single mode XR-E and a smooth bezel and then hope I can take it apart. I might have to order several different types in the hopes that when it all arrives one will work out.

If someone has such a light however their knowledge can save me a lot of time. I'd actually pay a little more and get it from somewhere faster (locally) as well if that turns out to be an option. The aspheric size/fit/focus will be a gamble/hard to find as well.

 

[gcbryan]

I decided to get the Sipik SK68 and the Sipik SK78 just to experiment with/try out. I also decided to order from MF to try them out as well. The Sipik 68 has the better reviews but its bezel is a cut-out (ugly) design. The SK 78 has a smooth bezel. Both of these lights have smaller measurements than my P60 lights and my existing aspheric (fixed) is a little larger than a P60.

I ordered a couple of 14500's as well to see if they make the Sipik brighter (without burning it up). I have two lights so I can experiment and still have one that works. 🙂

I've learned enough while making my other aspheric that I should be able to clean up the beam appearance on the Sipiks as long as I can get it apart.

If anyone has one of these Sipik models can you tell me if the throw mode is when fully extended? I know most are that way but I've seen a few lately where zoom is the pushed together mode.

 

[Tanglefoot]

Yes, fully extended = throw on the SK68.

Please keep us updated sounds like a cool project.

 

[gcbryan]

I only have a partial update 🙂 but I received the Ultrafire BJO8A (that's the name what can I say!). It looks to be well made and easy to disassemble. I had some Romisen forward clickies around that I found at Shiningbeam for about $2 so I put one of those in.

This is a XR-E 1 AA single mode flashlight by the way. So now I have the momentary switch feature as well. The head unscrews and the (brass) pill itself is screwed into the body tube (should dissipate heat well). The reflector is held into the head by a threaded retaining ring similar to that used to hold in the tail switch.

The reflector can be removed since it's not serving as a spacer for the pill. I've ordered 22 mm aspherics hoping to be able to grind one down to 18 mm. Those haven't arrived yet and I won't know if the focal length will work until they arrive.

I remembered that I had a plastic aspheric from an old flood-to-throw light so I ground that down just using a hand held random orbiter sander. I replaced the flat glass with the aspheric and used the retaining ring to hold that in. Unfortunately the focal length was a little too large so I couldn't move the aspheric far enough from the emitter.

Maybe the aspherics I have coming will work who knows. It's fine with just the reflector of course but with such a small diameter head every little advantage is appreciated where the object is to get a little more throw.

I have some 14500's coming soon (maybe this week) so that should improve the throw a bit as well.

This particular Ultrafire is perfect for taking apart in that no desoldering of a pill is required to get into the head as is sometimes the case with smaller lights and it's not necessary to paint out the reflector if I use an aspheric since I can just remove it which is also frequently not the case.

Finding the correct aspheric may be the biggest hassle. I really want to try out a 14500. The tube is almost large enough to stuff in a 18650 (but they are a little too wide).

I'll update this when the 14500's arrive (soon) and when the aspherics arrive (DX-so not soon)!

 

[gcbryan]

I've finished this light quest to my satisfaction! The Ultrafire BJO8A was the one that did it but on a single AA it wasn't bright enough. I just received an order of 14500's today and that brightened the output considerably.

I also had some cheap 23 mm TIR's from DX. I took one and cut off the plastic holder and surround material. Now it fits as a replacement to the 20 mm reflector. The spill is less and the beam is a bit more focused and the surrounding corona is brighter.

I had been planning to use an aspheric lens but I think I like this combination better.

This ended up being a pretty good light for $16 plus another $4 for the TIR and forward clicky. No soldering or machining or anything else required. Just picking the right flashlight in the first place and getting lucky with the TIR and forward clicky both fitting.

 

[Tanglefoot]

Bryan - what's the TIR stand for? Noob question. Thanks.

 

[gcbryan]

Bryan - what's the TIR stand for? Noob question. Thanks.

Total Internal Reflection. It's a kind of optic that has a beam that is similar to that of a reflector but generally is a bit more focused with less spill. It's generally a molded plastic.