Replace LED on Pelican M3

[grayman4hire]

Hello,

I have a Pelican M3 LED and want to switch out the Lux3 for CREE or SSC. I really like this flashlight and want "upgrade" it.

Anyone done this before?

I need help removing the LED. What is holding it in place? Glue?

I would like to pick up a CREE or SSC from DealExtreme but wasn't sure which will fit.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

grayman

 

[datiLED]

Hello,

I have a Pelican M3 LED and want to switch out the Lux3 for CREE or SSC. I really like this flashlight and want "upgrade" it.

Anyone done this before?

I need help removing the LED. What is holding it in place? Glue?

I would like to pick up a CREE or SSC from DealExtreme but wasn't sure which will fit.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

grayman

Hi Grayman,

I would recommend a Seoul LED for your Pelican. It will work with a smooth or OP reflector, and will not give you any rings. It is an easy mod, and if you use a Seoul star, may not require any modification of the reflector to get good results.

Typically, the Seoul LED is raised a bit (0.030"), and the back of the reflector is filed and sanded, or lathed down the same amount. This accounts for the difference in die height between the Luxeon LED and the Seoul.

Do yourself a favor, and get your Seoul LED from PhotonFanatic. You will get more lumens at a given current than the LED's sold by the Asian vendors.

With that said, if your light has an OP reflector, you may get good results with a CREE LED. You will need to spend some time getting the CREE focused in the reflector. If you have the smooth reflector, be prepared for the CREE rings. Focusing can lessen them to some degree.

Have fun with the mod. It is addicting once you get started.

datiLED

 

[grayman4hire]

Would I have any issues with the new Cree P5?

 

[datiLED]

Would I have any issues with the new Cree P5?

The new CREE Q5 is the hot ticket right now. It will have the same focus issues as all other CREEs, though. If you are patient and willing to spend the time in getting the light properly focused, you can probably get some decent results. If your reflector is smooth, you will have rings.