Smooth to Textured/OP-Type reflector on L1D CE?

[whc]

Just got a "crazy" modding thought. Got my new L1D CE by my side, and thought that maybe it is some how possible to make the smooth reflector to a textured/op-type reflector, is that possible?, don't have any special tools to use, so it has to be some thing that can be done with normal tools, and don't have any previous experience modding flashlights, any help, guides, suggestions would be much appreciated...?

 

[LumenHound]

You can stipple a smooth reflector yourself with a can of Gloss clear coat.
Do-It-Yourself reflector stippling

 

[whc]

You can stipple a smooth reflector yourself with a can of Gloss clear coat.
Do-It-Yourself reflector stippling

Thanks for the link, will defiantly be looking closer in to that, maybe try it off with some cheap flashlight/reflector first, to master the technique, but sounds like a relatively easy job to do.

 

[discoverEDC]

I've been thinking about installing a McR-17xr into my L1D. I put one into my HDS Basic 42 along with a cree P3 and the result was very nice. Assumbing that the diameter works the most you might have to do is file down the lense end of the reflector to make it fit length wise. The McR sits nice and tight on the cree. You can get them at the Shoppe for about $16.50 It's also possible if we wait 4 sevens might have a drop in replacement for us sometime. I know he was running a survey for the Fenix engineers about what level of orange peel CPFers would like for the P1Dce so there is hope for our L1/L2D's

 

[whc]

I've been thinking about installing a McR-17xr into my L1D. I put one into my HDS Basic 42 along with a cree P3 and the result was very nice. Assumbing that the diameter works the most you might have to do is file down the lense end of the reflector to make it fit length wise. The McR sits nice and tight on the cree. You can get them at the Shoppe for about $16.50 It's also possible if we wait 4 sevens might have a drop in replacement for us sometime. I know he was running a survey for the Fenix engineers about what level of orange peel CPFers would like for the P1Dce so there is hope for our L1/L2D's

Sounds promising that 4 sevens maybe will have something coming out in the future. Hmm mod or wait that is the question.

The "McR-17xr" reflector is though also considerable, would though be much more preferred if Fenix made a OP-Type that will fit perfect.

 

[Ty_Bower]

The back side of the stock L1D/L2D reflector seems a little unusual, in that it is flat. It is as if you carved a reflector from the front of a solid rod of aluminum, and left the back side changed. If you've opened the head of a LxD, you probably know what I'm talking about.

The back side of the McR reflectors I've seen usually have some kind of stepped profile. I'm not sure they're going to sit correctly on the Cree. The stock Fenix reflector seems to sit on a little rim around the far outer circumference of the light pill.

I'd love to get a stippled or orange peel'd reflector for my L2D. I really don't like the ring.

 

[gadgetnerd]

I'd love to get a stippled or orange peel'd reflector for my L2D. I really don't like the ring.

Have you tried refocussing your L2D Ty? It removes most of the dark ring and diffuses the hot spot to some degree. Plus you can quickly set it back if you want big throw + ring.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

Be prepared to lose a few Lumens

 

[Ty_Bower]

Have you tried refocussing your L2D Ty?

Yes, I've tried. The hot spot does spread out a bit, somewhat filling in the dark area. It doesn't do much for the yellow ring surrounding the dark area. And, it still seems to have odd "sun spot" type artifacts throughout. Overall, I felt that changing the focus by unscrewing the reflector only tended to make things different, and not necessarily better.

 

[whc]

-->Ty_Bower
Yes the back of the reflector is a bit "strange". Though i think that this is the best way when the reflector is screwed on. I have asked Fenix in a e-mail if it is possible to buy one reflector directly from them, I don't think that it is possible, but could not resist asking, so that I would have a spare if things gone bad ...

-->gadgetnerd
To much flood for my taste when refocusing, but it defiantly works ...

-->TORCH_BOY
That is the downside, loosing Lumens. But it is worth it I think. Uses nothing but OP-Type reflector in my LP-Mini, and it still out throws the L1D CE, so it must be possible to do it right, like I think Lumapower did with the LP/D-Mini, almost no dark ring at all.

 

[gadgetnerd]

The good thing is that if Fenix or some 3rd party do come up with an OP reflector, it'll be extremely easy to drop in since the LxD heads come apart quickly.

I agree that the defocussing merely changes the artifacts present in the beam and drops a few lm, but it definitely gets rid of most of the dark ring. Strangely, I've gotten got used to the ring and refocussed my LxDs back to factory settings!!!