So I decided to open up my Princeton Tec Apex and give it a nice upgrade. This is a u-bin P4 bare emitter bought from a CPF group buy.
I don't plan on writing a detailed mod thread as there are better writers on CPF who have already done so for the Apex, but I would say the mod is not too difficult: you need to unscrew the housing (make sure you don't lose that o-ring) and pull the old emitter out.
The results were quite bright, though the optics in the Apex continue to disappoint with their ringy spill beams. I may replace it with a reflector at some point. The hotspot was huge, though, so I guess that reduces the problem a bit.
I have some DealExtreme HASTO 3W headlamps in the mail that I plan on modding and giving as gifts, but the PT Apex's good electronics, reliable construction and, most importantly, excellent heatsink (external heatsinks are great, Petzl and Black Diamond!) has made me want to kick it up a notch.
The heatsink indeed got a workout as it got warm to the touch when running on high. I guess that means the thermal compound on the heatsink is doing its job.
Apex stock high
Apex stock low
Apex with SSC P4 high
Apex with SSC low
I'm hoping to test this on two 14500 lithium ions due to the great weight savings, but their combined 8.4 volt peak voltage gave me pause. Does anyone know the Apex's maximum rated input voltage? I know it can run on lithium primary AA's, but four of those still fall short of 8.4 volts.
I don't plan on writing a detailed mod thread as there are better writers on CPF who have already done so for the Apex, but I would say the mod is not too difficult: you need to unscrew the housing (make sure you don't lose that o-ring) and pull the old emitter out.
The results were quite bright, though the optics in the Apex continue to disappoint with their ringy spill beams. I may replace it with a reflector at some point. The hotspot was huge, though, so I guess that reduces the problem a bit.
I have some DealExtreme HASTO 3W headlamps in the mail that I plan on modding and giving as gifts, but the PT Apex's good electronics, reliable construction and, most importantly, excellent heatsink (external heatsinks are great, Petzl and Black Diamond!) has made me want to kick it up a notch.
The heatsink indeed got a workout as it got warm to the touch when running on high. I guess that means the thermal compound on the heatsink is doing its job.
Apex stock high
Apex stock low
Apex with SSC P4 high
Apex with SSC low
I'm hoping to test this on two 14500 lithium ions due to the great weight savings, but their combined 8.4 volt peak voltage gave me pause. Does anyone know the Apex's maximum rated input voltage? I know it can run on lithium primary AA's, but four of those still fall short of 8.4 volts.