Looking for high output FLOOD beam

[rfarkash]

I have a PT Apex and am very satiffied with it's performance except in 1 area - the beam pattern.
I use this light for running at night, and when using the 4 high output LEDs on hi, the flood pattern is nice, but brightness is a bit lacking. With the Lux on high or low, great brightness, but feels like I'm running in a tunnel (not enough spill).
So now I'm going to get a PT Quad and/or EOS. I'm not sure the quad will give me any advantage over the Apex other than it's lighter/smaller. I think the EOS will be more along the lines of what I'm looking for, but will need some modding (CREE/Seoul, different reflector, etc).
Does this sound about right? Any opinions for a good combination of star and reflector or optics to get a nice broad beam with minimal hotspot?
Thanks for all the late nights spent reading up on mods, torches, etc
Ron

 

[Oddjob]

I put some diffusion film on my EOS because I was not happy with its narrow beam pattern. I have read that putting in a 17mm IMS reflector makes it more floody. I have found the diffusion film (PDA screen protector) to be quite useful on all my lights. Using the EOS with it is great because it lights up a much wider area. Unfortunately I can't say how far in front of you it will light up for running because diffusers really decrease throw but any kind of tunnel effect is gone. Hope you find what you are looking for!

 

[yellow]

I modded a Streamlight Argo HP with a Cree. Had to cut the reflector a bit from behind to get a better focus, but still the beam is ringy.
As the reflector is very wide and that cree focusing, not much light gets into the reflector.
On both low and high, the total light is quite astounding. A good useable flood with that center ring beam. Except for wall hunting I like it a lot.

EOS and Apex are said to be quite similar in beams, most ppl here put reflectors in to get even more spot.
Why dont You just do it the other way round?
1st: mod with a SSC
2nd: get a wide focus optic, like a 15 degree beam or so. Then You have Your flood.

 

[TMorita]

I would recommend either:

1. Using a bare Cree XR-E. It has about a relatively narrow beam angle, so it throws most of its light forward, and is usable without a reflector.

2. Use a Nichia Rigel NFSW036L without a reflector. It has about a 60 degree beam angle, and has a very smooth beam. I have one of these for flood on one of my headlamps, and it works really well.

Toshi

 

[Minjin]

I would recommend either:

1. Using a bare Cree XR-E. It has about a relatively narrow beam angle, so it throws most of its light forward, and is usable without a reflector.

2. Use a Nichia Rigel NFSW036L without a reflector. It has about a 60 degree beam angle, and has a very smooth beam. I have one of these for flood on one of my headlamps, and it works really well.

Toshi

I would love to have a headlight with a bare Cree behind a lens. But what light is constructed in that way (so that the emitter isn't so far back from the lens that you lose output)?

 

[rfarkash]

I was wondering if a cree without a reflector would work. I have one lying around so I'll give it a try.
Otherwise, sounds like an SSC and wider reflector are the tickets.
I'm going to get started this weekend.
Thanks again for all the help
Ron