New LED's in a Princeton tec Aurora?

John_Galt

Flashlight Enthusiast
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Feb 20, 2009
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Yesterday, I was taking a look at my old Princeton tec Aurora. I really love this headlamp, and it has been very reliable, with excellent runtimes, etc, etc. However, the unit that I have is at least 4 1/2 years old.

Background:
I was looking for flashlights, etc., at a flea market near my town, when I came across a guy selling an Aurora, out of the package, for $10. At the time, I had seen these at sporting goods stores, etc, for around $30+, so I was happy that it was in good condition, and worked (no scratches, chips, etc., headband still very stretchy, clean). Any way, I bought it, and it has served me faithfully on many camping trips in all seasons for the last 4 + years.

I'm really happy with the tint of the LED's (slight green at the edges of the beam, but still very white, absolutely no hint of blue), and the good mix of flood/throw (I'm basically blind without my glasses, so throw isn't that important).
I'm wondering if anyone here has upgraded the LED's in their old Aurora for newer LED's, at any time. If so, Could you post some pictures? I haven't even been willing to pull the battery tray yet, or cut the plastic retaining strap.

I'm also looking for some advice as to what LED's I should use. Obviously, I'm not going to put a Cree XR-E in it, but I would like to put in newer, brighter, and more efficient 5mm LED's in it. The circuit board appears to have just the LED's soldered in parallel, an it appears to be just a simple switch, with maybe a small driver.

When I get home today, I'll take some pics, and post them. If nobody has done this before, I'm still appy with it, so I probably won't mod it, but I'll see... Thanks in advance.lovecpf
**EDIT** I posted some pics. I haven't had the heart yet, to remove the battery tray. My biggest fear is that the LED's are connect to the outer case, but that probably isn't true. Some additional info: The battery tray is made out of what appears to be the same material as the case, only clear. It is held in place by several small melted rods of the outer case, poking thru the battery case. Seems like they will either have to be broke, or melted (probably w/a soldering iron), until they are soft. I want this to be able to go back together and look very un modified.
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Do 5mm LED's have different tints and bins like high power LED's? And can anyone point me to a dealer for the warmer light output between the DS, and GS? Thanks.
 
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