Red lens

[ob1]

heading over to iraq for a tour of duty in less then a month and we practice light discipline over there, meaning we use red lights at night. I guess red lights arent as visible from distances as white would be, well anyway, I have a streamlight luxeon jr. and just recently bought an elektrolumens xm-3. I would like to use both flashlights over there but neither one has an option to add a red lens. Right now im stuck with using my Minimag with terralux ministar 2 and maglite red lens to use. Anyone have any ideas on rigging up my xm-3 and streamlight luxeon jr to use red lenses? I love both flashlights and would hate to not use them as much because of this problem

please help, im leaving soon

 

[14C]

The bezel O.D. on the XM-3 is almost exactly the same size as a SurFire D2 and 6P series incan (a hair smaller maybe but if so a bit of scotch tape should shim it tight) so I believe one of these would work on it. Sorry I can't help with the Streamlight. Maybe someone else will chime in.

 

[HarryN]

From the SL web site, that is only a 1 watt Luxeon. I would suggest having one of the modders pull the LED out, and replace it with a 1 watt red Luxeon. You will likely notice two things - it might end up being brighter, and with a lower Vf, it might even run longer.

Check with tvrod and milkyspit. Or look in the modders yellow pages in the custom area. Someone there should be able to mod it for you.

 

[elgarak]

The SL Luxeon Jr bezel diameter is close to the one of the AA MiniMag. The anti roll bezel from the MiniMag accessory pack (contains also a red and yellow filter, which can be mounted with the anti roll bezel) fits loosely over the SL's bezel. Should work quite nicely with some tape padding.

 

[ob1]

I want to be able to use the sl luxeon jr and xm-3 for white light as well as red, so modding is out of the question. I will try that anti roll thing for the minimag on the SL jr though thanks for the tip.

 

[ob1]

The filter for the SurFire D2 and 6P series is $28. 2/3 the price of the flashlight? Got any other cheaper solutions? if not i guess ill go with the FM35 red filter, little pricey though fm35 red filter

 

[Bravo25]

The "make it yourself" plan goes something like this. Go to the hardware store, and find round furniture tips that fit your lights. Cut out the center, leaving a lip over the bezel. Then find some thin red plexiglass, and cut a circular shape to fit inside the tip cover you just made. I usually "hot glue" the plastic to the end of something that looks like an engine valve, and place it in a drill. I put the drill in a vise, lock it on, and shape it down with a file, or sandpaper. If you like, you can then glue the lens to the tip cover, or make different colored ones to drop in.

 

[ob1]

i dont have access to a drill or a vise or an engine valve :-(

 

[Hoghead]

You might want to try a red pop bottle cap.

Flashlight King has the MiniMag with the red lens.

 

[ACMarina]

Maybe a high school or college would be willing to let you have some red gels for the spotlights. If you got those you might be able to stick them on the lense and poof, red light. .

 

[redcar]

In a pinch you could use scotch tape then color it with a red magic marker.

 

[ob1]

i got ahold of the anti roll thing for the minimag for my streamlight jr, tad bit loose, i will find a way to tighten it up a bit so it wont fall off. now the xm-3......
I dotn want to put scotch tape on the lens, cuz if it stays on there logn enough it will be tough to get off and leave sticky crap on the lens

 

[redcar]

sticky crap is easily removed with peanut butter or even more easily removed with WD-40. But I'm with you, I don't like it on there either.

 

[cliff]

If you are going out in the field, you probably want something that will hold up. Most of those attachable filters are pretty flimsy, but I have a SF FM65 red that is a good piece of gear and seems to be just as strong as the flashlight. If you can get one close to the size of your bezel, you can make it work. If it is a tad loose, shim with electric tape. If too tight, shave down the rubber ridges inside. But it will probably fit perfect and you will be in business.

 

[AndrewL]

you could get hold of some red glass paint from a hobby shop and paint the lense red. I assume you can get standard lenses for the torches.