SO17XA reflectors - Uses?

[Chop]

Hey guys,

These reflectors hit the scene relatively recently and have caused somewhat of a rage. Finally, we have a reflector to replace those optics (and their beams) that we've been complaining about. Most notably with regard to centering them and that ugly beam.

I recently sold a few of them that were modified to fit into VIPs. Since getting my hands on them I've been using them in everything I mod, from mini m@gs to KL1's.

To date, I know that these reflectors will work in:

KL1s, VIPs, LongBows, Mini M@gs, and a couple of M@g mods that I had multiple fraens in. Has anyone come up with a fresh use for these great little reflectors? This might be a reason to get another light.

 

[Minjin]

Is it the consensus that these are only good with high domes? I still have mostly lowdomes...

Mark

 

[MR Bulk]

Fits perfectly and works fine in my Arc LSH-P as well.

 

[McGizmo]

Chop,

I concurr completely! I think any light that has been host to an optic like the NX05 or Fraen 17 mm, even a chopped version, can be a great candidate for the so17xa. I have been sticking them in everything lately! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Turt]

Anybody selling their services in installing one of these into an Arc LS for a reasonable price? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Robocop]

I hope this qualifies as a good use for these as my buddy Owen let me have one and I put it to use in a mod.I had a 3 watt emitter with a decent tint(little yellow)and a spare Dorcy 1-AA body.I used the end cap from another Dorcy AA and removed the push switch and the S017XA fit inside perfect.I trimmed the end a little and it now screws down tight to the body.I made a heat sink from a dime and rigged the stock AA board to power the emitter from a CR2 cell.I had to bore the body a little and add soldered an extension spring to the back of the board to make up a little room.The end result was very neat and it has a great beam and was really a fun mod.This reflector seemed to help with the tint a little and it reminds me of a smaller,less powerful version of my Pelican LED....enjoy the pics

 

[vcal]

Great pics, and looks like 'ya done good there. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Looks like I'll have to round up a couple o those reflectors. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jtice]

I got a few of these off Chop about a week ago.
So far, I have only had a chance to place one in my Mclux.
It seemed to be slightly too short in it though, and would rattle just alittle up against the lens.
Have you had any experience with this yet Don?

The beam was excellent though, just what I look for in a beam.... nice tight hotspot, that fades quickly to a very even smooth flood.
I plan to mod a couple Arc LSs soon, and I will definatly be using these in them.


I heard something about new ones comming out. Ones without the outer sleeve, but instead, the 3 little feet.
Is this true? Do they plan to change the reflector itself?

 

[K-T]

For people like me who have noticed that there is a new reflector setup available in combination with the Luxeons but who have missed most of the discussion about these reflectors:
Do they replace the old optics without any modification (like the famous McFlood replacements)?

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

 

[tylerdurden]

The diameter is just a hair smaller than the inside of the standard mclux head, but I found that you can cram some insulation from a 20-gague wire in betweeen the reflector and the head to eliminate any wiggle.

 

[jtice]

Tyler, side to side, the wiggle wasnt bad, the led holds it centered.
Mine wiggles front to back!

 

[tylerdurden]

Do you not have the fat o-ring that goes between the glass and the head? That was enough to stop the front to back wiggle for me, but it was too wide to get in the gap between the reflector's outside diameter and the head's inside diameter.

 

[McGizmo]

I have found that in some of the cases, like the McLux, a small O-ring stretched over the OD of the reflecor can be used to to both center and secure the reflector in place. I haven't had the time to document any of these mods and probably won't until the dust settles, if it does! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif Below are some lights I retro-fit with the so17xa's in the last week or so.

 

[jtice]

Ah good idea Don, Ill have to try that.

BTW,,, where is a good place to get the orings that go between the lens and bezel in the Mclux?
Is that also the same size oring that goes in the Arc LS?

I need a few of those. (~ 20)

 

[tylerdurden]

I think they are available at the shoppe, but I'm not sure which o-ring is the one you want.

 

[Robocop]

I actually tried this reflector with a LD luxeon from some spares donated to me from some KL1 mods.The result was very good with it having a decent hot spot and as much sidespill as the NX-05.It may be my imagination but I could swear that this reflector improves the tint on anything I use it with.The LD was very white to start with and it was even better afterwards.The 3 watt lux was fairly yellow or creamy looking and the reflector seemed to gather all of the beam up and made it seem much more white.....I am really looking forward to getting my hands on some of the newer versions of these reflectors.

 

[andrewwynn]

i love the reflector, timing was perfect for making my Megasonic which i entered into the contest... check it out.

I am wondering though... how much would the beam change if i cut it down to 1/2 inch diameter? anybody do this? it looked like at least one of the mods in the pic above qualifies.

 

[Chop]

There is going to be a new version shortly. If the 27.5mm versions are any indication of what the new 17.5mm versions will be, the newer ones will have three feet on them that will accomodate a luxeon on a star. Removing the feet will be no big deal in situations that would call for it, but I find the straight wall models to have their advantages. Most notably, the ability to simply wrap an o-ring around them to hold them in place in lights designed for optics.

I have also found, with the straight walled models, that removing about 5mm from the bottom of the skirt really allows the reflector to rest on the black part of the emitter providing a perfect focus.

I may just have to do my very first run of something mass produced since I have all of these things left over from the VIP project. The last light I made for this reflector turned out to be sub .75" diameter all the way down. My only problem is finding a decent lens of the appropriate diameter that doesn't cost $8 each. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Dan C]

So far, I have the SO17XA's in an Arc LS, a Firefly, and one of Dan's CNC123's. Love 'em, I too think the cylinder style has advantages, namely chucking it up in a lathe to reduce the diameter if needed and adjusting the flange thickness. Anybody have any more of the 'old' style?

Dan C

 

[Minjin]

Pssssstttt.....comments on the second post in this thread? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/poke2.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/popcorn.gif

Mark