LED Headlights and Headlight conversions

[TrevorNasko]

sounds fine but at $50 a pop i wouldn't take chances. for me only a totoally waterproof case is worthy of my$100 dollars worth off this product. my solution a otterbox 1000 series(clear). by the way that is a new phrase for me. i kinda like it

 

[papasan]

you rlink doesn't work, but i've seen at least two pages on converting the duo with LEDs...the two i've seen were in english tho...sorry i don't have any links but i've lost my hard drive (crashed) since then (over a year ago at least)...

another way i've thought over would be taking a zoom (or similar, there's 100 that are very alike) and drilling 8 or so holes around the outside of the reflector and mounting them in there...but then you have to add a switch to go back and forth...just haven't gotten up the energy to do it yet...

 

[remuen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by papasan:
... you rlink doesn't work ...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Sorry, my mistake. The point at the end of the first link doesn't belong to the URL. Try it again: http://home.arcor.de/speleos/lampenumbau_Duo.htm . You don't need to understand German for this page, the pics tell you everything. The table on the top lists the parts and tools you need (a pcb, 8 LED's, 8 resistors 56 Ohm). I think it would take about 1 - 2 hours to make this conversion. Much easier than with a Zoom or simililar one.

I got mail with a link from a Swiss manufacturer which wanted to sell a LED headlight. Intersting technology (something like the Versalux Module, a terrible high price (about $140.00) and a poor design for such an expensive head lamp. If someone wants to take a look here is the link: http://www.frontaled.com

 

[TrevorNasko]

looks tedious. can't be cheaper than the versalux is wasteful not as versatal
hint:get the flea first, scratch it later. you'll never regret it. trust me

 

[remuen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by papasan:
i've been kicking around the idea of making my own halogen/xenon & LED combo headlight for a long time, but finding the right body is hard to do...so far the petzl duo is the best i've found, easiest to work with...waterproof to 50' or something, two lights with two seperate reflectors, switch already there, etc...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm still searching for a good Headlight housing to put the Versalux Module in it. (Aragorn put that flea in my head - he seems to like this expression - and what I've read up to now he is right). Until now I found only the Petzl Duo which could be used.

On my search I found a link which could be of interest for you because you want to have a combination of halogen and LED. Take a look on the page http://home.arcor.de/speleos/lampenumbau_Duo.htm. This guy has converted a Petzl Duo as you want to do. It's a German site (but only a few sentences) and some pictures which show everything of interest.

By the way: Does somebody know whether the title of this topic (LED headlights: Petzl Tikka versus Lucido T61) can be changed and if yes, how? I think something like Converting Headlights would be better. What do you guys think about this? As a newbie I don't know if such a change is allowed or if you real flashaholics would like it.

 

[remuen]

Hey folks

Don't be angry that I have changed the title of this thread. I think the new one matches the topic much better then the old one!

 

[remuen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Aragorn:
hint:get the flea first, scratch it later. you'll never regret it. trust me

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I got the flea

and am working on the idea. Even if I like the Versalux Module I look for other possibilities too until I make my decision. I like the idea on the above mentioned German page as well - but with a DC-DC converter for a steady bright light. This solution has the advantage of the still existing halogen light. In my other thread about converting Minimags we are just discussing such convertors on our (or my) technical level which is much is not as high as from the guys discussing the Zetex ZXSC300 single-cell LED driver.

Hope the final result will be a great headlight. It must come to this end if guys like you flashaholics are helping me ....

 

[MY]

Rumean:

I have used an eternalight classic in a homemade headlamp holder (simply a piece of wide elastic sewn to a Jackstrap headband). The eternalight is small, light on the head (doesn't bounce) and quite bright. Plus you can use the flashing mode when you don't need to see ahead but want others to see you. I have used this setup for about two years and it is great for running and general headlamp use.

I have also thought about adding four more LEDs to the case by soldering the LEDs to the exising leads.

I think that you will find my eternalight classic/jackstrap solution to be a good stop gap measure until you can get that versalux unit to work.

 

[MY]

Mr. R.:

I think that you will find that the eternalight is significantly brighter than the Tika or 2 ARC LEs. If the forest conditions are absorbing all your light, you may not have any other alternatives than using an incandescent. I have used a UK 2L light on the other side of my Jackstrapt/eternalight combo and it seems to be as bright as I need, even through the rain (which really absorbs all the light).

 

[remuen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MY:
Mr. R.:

I think that you will find that the eternalight is significantly brighter than the Tika or 2 ARC LEs. If the forest conditions are absorbing all your light, you may not have any other alternatives than using an incandescent. I have used a UK 2L light on the other side of my Jackstrapt/eternalight combo and it seems to be as bright as I need, even through the rain (which really absorbs all the light).

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I cannot tell wether the Tikka or the Eternallight is brighter (look at http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/petz1.htm and http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/eterna.htm ).

But we shouldn't argue about that because it's obviously that both lights are too dim under bad conditions even they are bright flash lights regarding the number of LED's. That's why you're taking a second fl.

Of course I could also use the Tikka together with my 2 ARC LE in the modified Jackstrap headband. I have once tried it and this would be bright enough for such runs - but I would look like the man from the moon .... So I'm looking for an other headlight which will be bright enough or could be modified. As mentioned it had to have 6 - 10 LED's. And a DC-DC converter as in the Versalux Module would help me to completly squeeze the batteries.

 

[remuen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MY:
Rumean:

I have also thought about adding four more LEDs to the case by soldering the LEDs to the exising leads.

I think that you will find my eternalight classic/jackstrap solution to be a good stop gap measure until you can get that versalux unit to work.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for your hint. It seems that you have the same problem as I do with running in the night because 3 or 4 LED's are not bright enough.

One part of my regular route is in a little wood, I like this way but if it is dark and rainy it is a bit dangerous because of the roots and stones. I already have a Petzl Tikka with 3 LED's and have also used 2 ARC LE in a modified Jackstrap. But if the weather conditions are bad both lighting solutions are too dim. That's why I am looking for a brighter light with 6 to 10 LED's. The Lucido T61 mentioned in my first post with 6 LED's and 1 halogon bulb was (or still is) one of the possible solutions for me. But the Versalux Module in a headlamp housing would be better.

 

[Barbarin]

I´ve tried with green and turquoise leds in the forest while running, and the results are impresive. With just one Photon Microlight II green the light is enough, as the green color reflects and it is not absorbed by the vegetation. For such an especific aplication why don't you try this?

 

[remuen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by barbarin:
I´ve tried with green and turquoise leds in the forest while running, and the results are impresive. With just one Photon Microlight II green the light is enough, as the green color reflects and it is not absorbed by the vegetation. For such an especific aplication why don't you try this?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

In the next few days I should get 2 ARC AAA with turquoise leds so I can try them out (as far as I know ARC's turquoise leds are more greenish than the ones in the Photons).

It's absolutly open what diodes and what solution I will take (except that I already look very much on the Versalux Module and that I want to have some kind of DC-DC converter because of the almost steady bright light until the batteries are really low.)

That's the big advantage of this BB that we can discuss the various experiences and share the knowledge and the more experienced guys are helping us newbies. Great, let's continue!

 

[remuen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by barbarin:
I´ve tried with green and turquoise leds in the forest while running, and the results are impresive. With just one Photon Microlight II green the light is enough, as the green color reflects and it is not absorbed by the vegetation. For such an especific aplication why don't you try this?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I just got the turquoise ARC's. Here my first impressions:

1. The color of the turquoise leds in these ARC's is in my eyes not at all turquoise - it is green like the traffic signal lights.


2. The turquoise leds have a completly different beam pattern. The white led's have a smoth beam with a much brighter spot in the middle. The turquoise ones have a wider beam without that center spot and not such a smooth beam but some rings.

3. Even it is very difficult to compare (because of the comletly different beam) the turquoise leds are very very bright.

4. I made only a short test in a dark room. This very first impression doesn't let me think that outside the turquoise leds would be better than white ones. But it's too early to really judge it. I'll give them a try. That's the reason why I bought them. Some where I read that this depends also on the individual because not all people do have the same sensitivity to the different colors.

 

[Barbarin]

The results with this kind of green light are surprising in the green forest. I don't know exactly what kind of forest you live in, but being from Switzerland I think it is way green. The clues are the superior performance of the LED over any kind of bulb when we want just a color, and the refraction of the green light over the vegetation. Another advantage is that the green light does not disturb your light vision as much as the "white" light.

 

[remuen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by barbarin:
The results with this kind of green light are surprising in the green forest. I don't know exactly what kind of forest you live in, but being from Switzerland I think it is way green. The clues are the superior performance of the LED over any kind of bulb when we want just a color, and the refraction of the green light over the vegetation. Another advantage is that the green light does not disturb your light vision as much as the "white" light.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hope you're right. I really have to try it. I'm in the wood and it's a green one. But the ground is gray-brown (or what else this color is) covered with brown leaves and the whole thing is wet when I need the light the most. The next few days the conditions seems not to be as bad because it is dry and cold. So my test has to wait.

In general I am sure that one turquoise (green) LED cannot do what 3 white ones do. But what I thougt is that in my future converted headlamp I could also use some turquoise LED's additional to the white ones if they are as good as you say.

By the way: You're writing "Lonely flashaholic in Spain". As far as I know I'm the lonely one in Switzerland. Maybe a few other Swiss guys do read that and will tell me that I'm not right. Let's see.

 

[remuen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by remuen:
I just got the turquoise ARC's. Here my first impressions:
...
2. The turquoise leds have a completly different beam pattern. The white led's have a smoth beam with a much brighter spot in the middle. The turquoise ones have a wider beam without that center spot and not such a smooth beam but some rings.

3. Even it is very difficult to compare (because of the comletly different beam) the turquoise leds are very very bright.
...
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've to add this to my earlier post:

I've to change my mind about the turquoise ARC's a bit. The reason is that I've got two of these. The first I tried out was as described in my former post. The second one I've tried out this evening (in Central Europe it is already 11:30 PM). This second one is about 20% brighter (that means it is really very very very bright!!) and has a much smoother beam than the first one.

But nevertheless I am not completly convinced from the turquoise ARC's. Maybe I must first get used to this uncommon turquoise (= green) color. I'll try them on one of my next runs which will give me a better possibility for a comparision.

 

[Lux Luthor]

This topic is a job for Gransee. What I find I need is a small lightweight diffuse headlamp combined with a tactical torch. I would love to see him make one like the Tikka with an LS and a single AA or CR123. Go ahead and make it plastic for all I care, but it MUST be waterproof. I think he could blow the Tikka out of the water (not that it's waterproof) if he did this!!!

 

[remuen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Guy Guyer:
This topic is a job for Gransee. What I find I need is a small lightweight diffuse headlamp combined with a tactical torch.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Lucido T61 (see at http://www.highsport.se/produkter/T61.html )which was the initial topic of this thread
is about what you're looking for - but unfortunatly it is not waterproof.

For me it has not to be waterproof but I'm not sure wether the Lucido is bright enough.
The other thing is to make your own headlamp as I'm thinking about (see most of the earlier posts in this thread). I'm not quite sure wether the Petzl Duo E60 (which could be a good basis for a conversion e.g with a Versalux Module) is waterprrof or not. Let me take a look on the Petzl homepage .....

... Ok, it is confusing. On one place they say it is waterproof and on another place in their homepage that it is only waterresistant. But I've seen the Petzl Duo on some caving homepages. Therefore it must be highly waterresistant.

I can't see Peter Gransee make such a headlamp (even if I agree with you that he would be able to make a great one) but I think the market is to small for him and the distribution would be quite different. But let's see, maybe he'll get into this.

Added later:
What is a tactical torch?
AS you've noticed English is not my mother language. Therefore I do not understand all the expressions used in this BB. Can you explain me what tactical torch really is? I first thougt it is a fl with an incandescent bulb (e.g. halogen) and possibly an adjustable reflector for longer distances.

 

[Lux Luthor]

A tactical torch is just a small flashlight that can be turned on and off rapidly for intermittent longer distance viewing. A surefire E2 would be a perfect example.

I would be interested in any homemade headlamp you build. Let us know if you do it.