LF3XT AA Extension Tube and Clip - at Last!

LEDBE
BabyDoc

BabyDoc

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
1,245
Location
Beachwood, Ohio
I happy to announce that the long awaited LF3XT 2xAA Extension Tube is here at last!
Gary at EliteLED has recently mailed one to me to evaluate, and I should hopefully have it this weekend to review. This is what he is sending:

1. 2AA tube
2. LF3XT tail cap module, clip, and an o-ring (in a ziplock bag)
3. A tool - to loosen / tighten the tailcap

So it appears that we will have both an extension tube, and a separate clip for the old LF3XT. It looks like LiteFlux listened again to us, and is giving us all we asked for, and then more.

The tool to loosen the tailcap is really an unexpected bonus, especially for me. Although many of you young stronger guys have already managed to get yours loosened, nothing I have tried has worked with my old hands. I am hopeful this tool will work.

I will post my findings soon. So far, I don't see this item yet listed on the EliteLED website. I am hopeful Gary will be doing that soon since I don't know how to post pictures. I'll need a crash course to figure out how to post them, if he doesn't.
 
YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAA BABY !

Cant wait to see that tailcap/clip !!!

BD charge those camera batteries. PM me and Ill help you with
pics...

Bud
 
Last edited:
Huh? the tail cap "+" can be loosened? :thinking:
 
Zeruel said:
Huh? the tail cap "+" can be loosened? :thinking:
Click to expand...


Yes, the cross tail cap CAN be loosened. Some people have use the shaft of a jewelers screw driver or hex tool to apply leverage via the lanyard hole to loosen the cap. I wasn't able to move mine. I am guessing that the cap will need to come off in order to install the clip. Hopefully, this tool will make that job a lot easier.
 
Yes ...... use an adjustable pipe wrench with smooth jaws ..... not clamping pliers or slip joint pliers which scar it. For a more secure grip and leverage you can use a rubber or canvas strap wrench around the body.

It turns counter-clockwise.
 
Last edited:
BabyDoc said:
Yes, the cross tail cap CAN be loosened. Some people have use the shaft of a jewelers screw driver or hex tool to apply leverage via the lanyard hole to loosen the cap. I wasn't able to move mine. I am guessing that the cap will need to come off in order to install the clip. Hopefully, this tool will make that job a lot easier.
Click to expand...

Woah, it fitted so well I thought it's part of the body. This will be interesting. :grin2:

No more horns! No more horns! No more horns! :laughing:
 
Pretty nice. I think this would put the LF3-XT back on active duty, or at least make it an option under more circumstances.
 
I just got this Email from EliteLED.COM in response to my question regarding the availability of this accessory. His answer tells us a lot more more about this item. The story gets better and better. I don't think Gary will mind if I share this with you.



Bill,

...Yes, I am working on the website. Hopefully it will be up soon.

I noticed that you're using the word "extension" tube. The idea of the 2AA tube originated from a section of a simple short tube to add in between the head and body of the LF3XT in order to make room for 2x AA batteries. But because of the inner tube and many other factors, LF kept redesigning it and it ended up becoming a stand alone 2AA tube, with its own clip and tail. The only thing an end user need to do is to remove the head from LF3XT and install it on the 2AA tube.

For the new LF3XT tailcap & clip: Here is the tip for installing the new tailcap:

  1. Use the tool to remove the existing LF3XT tailcap.
  2. Install the new tailcap - without the clip and o-ring. Use the tool to tighten it up. and then un-install it. Repeat this a few times. You may see some debris fell off from the threads on the inner tube - clean them out.
  3. Install the O-ring and the clip onto the tailcap. Make sure the clip aligns with the two small indents in the tailcap. It may be easier to fit the clip onto the tailcap after you have already started twisting the tailcap onto the tube.
  4. Install the tailcap to the LF3XT. To help prevent the clip from scratching the tube while twisting the tailcap, you may consider putting a thin piece of cardboard or something similar in between the clip and the tube.
The first two steps are to help the cap twist smoothly.

You may notice there are now four holes instead of just one on the new tailcap for lanyard. Remember there was a photo posted on CPF where someone drilled extra holes and looped his lanyard through all the holes? LF thought it was a great idea and implemented it into the new tailcap.

There's a little story behind the tool. One of the flashaholic folks in Taiwan constructed an acrylic stand/base for his LF3XT and found out that it happened to be a perfect tool for removing the tailcap without damaging the finish. LF made a deal with him to get some for removing the tailcap. A bonus feature for this tool is that it makes a great stand for your LF3XT.

If you're wondering why the 2AA tube is plain without any knurling, it's because LF's current facility was designed for smaller flashlights. The 2AA tube is too long for their current machinery until they expand.

Warning: Do not use 2x 14500 batteries - they will fry the head. 2x Alkaline AA, 2x NiMH AA, or 2x Li AA (L91 compatible), not Li-ion rechargeable (14500)

Have fun!!

Thanks,
Gary
 
Last edited:
Great news. Thanks for the heads-up, Bill. I very anxious to hear what you think. I hope they'll let you take some pics for us.

Geoff
 
BabyDoc said:
I just got this Email from EliteLED.COM in response to my question regarding the availability of this accessory. His answer tells us a lot more more about this item. The story gets better and better. I don't think Gary will mind if I share this with you.



Bill,

...Yes, I am working on the website. Hopefully it will be up soon.

I noticed that you're using the word "extension" tube. The idea of the 2AA tube originated from a section of a simple short tube to add in between the head and body of the LF3XT in order to make room for 2x AA batteries. But because of the inner tube and many other factors, LF kept redesigning it and it ended up becoming a stand alone 2AA tube, with its own clip and tail. The only thing an end user need to do is to remove the head from LF3XT and install it on the 2AA tube.

For the new LF3XT tailcap & clip: Here is the tip for installing the new tailcap:

  1. Use the tool to remove the existing LF3XT tailcap.
  2. Install the new tailcap - without the clip and o-ring. Use the tool to tighten it up. and then un-install it. Repeat this a few times. You may see some debris fell off from the threads on the inner tube - clean them out.
  3. Install the O-ring and the clip onto the tailcap. Make sure the clip aligns with the two small indents in the tailcap. It may be easier to fit the clip onto the tailcap after you have already started twisting the tailcap onto the tube.
  4. Install the tailcap to the LF3XT. To help prevent the clip from scratching the tube while twisting the tailcap, you may consider putting a thin piece of cardboard or something similar in between the clip and the tube.
The first two steps are to help the cap twist smoothly.

You may notice there are now four holes instead of just one on the new tailcap for lanyard. Remember there was a photo posted on CPF where someone drilled extra holes and looped his lanyard through all the holes? LF thought it was a great idea and implemented it into the new tailcap.

There's a little story behind the tool. One of the flashaholic folks in Taiwan constructed an acrylic stand/base for his LF3XT and found out that it happened to be a perfect tool for removing the tailcap without damaging the finish. LF made a deal with him to get some for removing the tailcap. A bonus feature for this tool is that it makes a great stand for your LF3XT.

If you're wondering why the 2AA tube is plain without any knurling, it's because LF's current facility was designed for smaller flashlights. The 2AA tube is too long for their current machinery until they expand.

Warning: Do not use 2x 14500 batteries - they will fry the head. 2x Alkaline AA, 2x NiMH AA, or 2x Li AA (L91 compatible), not Li-ion rechargeable (14500)

Have fun!!

Thanks,
Gary
Click to expand...


What does the tailcap look like !?!?

Sounds similer the the horned devil.:thumbsdow

This is killing me.. I'm logging off .! :scowl:
 
Flying Turtle said:
Great news. Thanks for the heads-up, Bill. I very anxious to hear what you think. I hope they'll let you take some pics for us.

Geoff
Click to expand...

While I am hopeful that Gary's package will be waiting when I get home from the office today, I won't be able to post any further information or give an assessment about it until tomorrow night.

I apologize to keep you guys waiting, but hopefully Gary can get some pictures up on EliteLED.com before I do, since his email says he's already working on it. If not, with Budman's help, I will try on Sunday to post some pictures.
 
Bill thanks for sharing,

I have a couple of questions,

Do you have an idea of price? if so is it for the package i.e:
1. 2AA tube
2. LF3XT tail cap module, clip, and an o-ring (in a ziplock bag)
3. A tool - to loosen / tighten the tailcap
 
TITAN1833 said:
Bill thanks for sharing,

I have a couple of questions,

Do you have an idea of price? if so is it for the package i.e:
1. 2AA tube
2. LF3XT tail cap module, clip, and an o-ring (in a ziplock bag)
3. A tool - to loosen / tighten the tailcap
Click to expand...

Sorry, Titan, I don't know about price. I would bet you need all of the items to make the modification, and there will be a package price for all 3.

However, after reading the Email that I just shared, it is a bit less clear what you get with the 2xAA tube. Hopefully, the 2xAA tube already has its own tail cap module and clip attached. Otherwise, you would need to be switching tailcap modules/clips back and forth between the original light's CR123 tube and the 2xAA battery tube. While I am sure this is possible, I can't imagine that very user friendly even using the special tool. If the 2xAA tube doesn't have its own tail cap module, I hope they will offer for sale an extra tail cap module so that both tubes could have its own installed permanently.

We have been speculating how this is going to work now for months. We'll soon see.
 
OK, guys. I got the tube and clips. Yes, clips. This is not a review but rather first impressions.

The 2xAA tube has its own clip attached and has its own switch assembly attached. The tube appears similar in shape and diameter to the tube on the LX5XT. It feels quite solid with faceted sides, and a broader faceted front portion to match the diameter of the original LF3XT head. There is knurling only at the switch end of the light, which has the original type of switch assembly with only one lanyard hole and unfortunately, still the sharp cross switch. The good news, however, is that the new switch and clip for the original CR123 tube, has slightly smoother corners on the cross which now has 4 lanyard holes. (Whether that switch can be used on the 2xAA tube remains to be seen.)

I have already installed the new switch and clip on my old light, but I haven't had a chance to try out the 2xAA tube with Eneloops. I will tomorrow, and get back tomorrow night to you about that.

What do the clips look like? Just like the wire clips on the LF2XT, just bigger and a bit firmer. I know that will disappoint some people, but I really think these clips are sturdier than they appear. They seem to be made out of a good quality spring stainless steel. The clip on the CR123 tube is mounted at the tail end of the light, just like the LF2XT, screwed in between the tail switch and body of the light. The tail switch is notched to keep the wire clip from twisting.

The clip on the 2xAA tube is pre-mounted near the head end of the light and points toward the tail, so that if you were to put this flashlight in your pocket, the head of the light would point out of your pocket, or the head would point upward if clipped to a belt. The way it pointed, it could be clipped to the brim of a cap, but it might be a bit too heavy to use that way. This clip doesn't appear to be reversable or removabe, but I will bet somebody will figure out how to remove it. ( If they got the clip on the light, doesn't there has got to be a way to get if off?)

Pictures will be worth a thousand words. So I am sorry if this quick verbal description leaves you with questions that could be more simply answered by pictures. Still, I didn't want to leave you people hanging until tomorrow night, the first chance I will have to spend any extended time with this nice addition.

BTW, the acrylic tail switch tool is really nice. It really will be a great stand, especially for the taller 2xAA light. However, I was unsuccessful with loosening the tail switch with that tool. I just couldn't get the leverage I needed, although I suspect younger hands would have had no problem. What worked for me was a 6 inch adjustable crescent wrench, as suggested by TooManyGizmos. I then used the acrylic tool to tighten the new tail assembly and clip onto my orignal battery tube. Gary's description of the installation procedure made it quite simple. I applied electrical tape to the body of my light to avoid any scratches. It really was easy.
 
Thanks for the verbal description BD!

I like pix myself, but your words were definitely helpful.

BTW, I used a small screw driver in the lanyard hole to open my LF3XT switch cap. It was found in the large thread on the LF3XT...

Worked well, no damage.
 
Hmmm... interesting. Definitely don't want the clip on the AA body :shakehead, so I'll be looking for a way for it to "get gone". Looking foward to the pics! Yahoo!
:popcorn:
 
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