Streamlight TLR-1/TLR-2 modding?

[Anto]

I'm looking at purchasing a pistol in the next few weeks, and I've set my sights on an XD40 V-10.
I was looking for an appropiate light in addition to a TK11, and found the TLR-1.

I notice in the description it states 2.5 hrs runtime with solid state current regulation.

MY question is:
Is modding the LED to something floodier & more efficient (Seoul P4) just a unsolder-solder job?

Anyone ever mess with different reflectors from the shoppe in this?

Is the existing board really regulated, and what's the mA output?

Any input appreciated!

 

[DaFABRICATA]

I have the TLR-2 and swapped the LUX III for a Seoul.

The top bezel/reflector unscrews as one as one. Desolder and pull the LUX III, apply some thermal adhesive and solder in the new Seoul.

It is very easy to do as there is a lot of open space to work and it makes a nice difference in output.:thumbsup:

 

[Anto]

Sounds good.

Anyone know the mA draw?


EDIT:

Since the TLR-1 is run with a LuxeonIII and rated at 80 lumens, I'm guessing the LED is being driven in the neighborhood of 1000mA.

At 1000mA, P4's output 240 lumens, so in theory it should be around that. With a U2 bin, 280 max lumens.

Sounds goooood.

 

[USM0083]

Sounds good.

Anyone know the mA draw?

Just tested my TLR-1, and with fresh Streamlight -123s my DMM shows a draw of 770 mA.

 

[Skibane]

I was considering doing something similar, until I actually did a side-by-side comparison of a TLR-1 and a Fenix TK10. Even though the TK10 is rated at almost 3 times the lumen output of the TLR-1, in the real world there isn't a whole lot of difference in either throw or flood. In fact, the TLR-1 appears to throw a little further than than the TK10!

IMO, the TLR-1 is so good, it's really not worth the trouble of modding - at least with any of the current commonly-available Cree LEDs.

At the very least, I would suggest doing a comparison of your own with your favorite Cree LED flashlight before you attempt any mods - I'm betting you'll be surprised.

 

[DaFABRICATA]

The inside of the TLR-1 & TLR-2 does not have the proper "footprint" to be able to allow a Cree to be used.

Only and LED with the Luxeon/Seoul type design will work.

I'll try to get pix tomarrow to show what I am saying.

 

[Skibane]

Seoul Semiconductor uses Cree-licensed LED dice, installed in their own package.

However, the package isn't the point - The point is that none of the commonly-available LEDs based on a single Cree die - regardless of whether they're sold by Cree, Seoul Semiconductor, Edison, or whoever - produce enough of an improvement to be worth the trouble of installing in a TLR-1.

TLR-1 innerds:

 

[sed6]

Seoul Semiconductor uses Cree-licensed LED dice, installed in their own package.

However, the package isn't the point - The point is that none of the commonly-available LEDs based on a single Cree die - regardless of whether they're sold by Cree, Seoul Semiconductor, Edison, or whoever - produce enough of an improvement to be worth the trouble of installing in a TLR-1...

Gotta take exception to what you said there. Here is a pic of my TLR-1 modded by CPF member CM. He installed a Seoul P4 USVOH in Febuary for me. His work demonstrated it definately IS worth the trouble to to modify your TLR-1.



That's the unmodded TLR-1 on the left and the VO Seoul P4 on the right. Anyone notice a difference? Both were taken at F2.8 1/50 sec. ISO-100

 

[TOTC]

I don't doubt that a mod job would make a serious difference in brightness (agreed that the pictures clearly show it), but I overall agree with Skibane. I have a TLR-1 and it stacks up very well against a number of my 'state of the art' LED's that are rated at much higher lumen figures.

You should also evaluate the context of usage. If you live on a large plot of land and will use your pistol/light combo to search for things at a distance, then a mod is worth it. Although to be honest, I think a long-gun with white light would be the better option at that point.

If you're like me, and live in an urban area where your pistol light will be used indoors, consider whether you really need it any brighter.

Frankly, I don't want my TLR-1 any brighter. It's already quite bright when my eyes are day adapted. If I get up for a bump in the night and my eyes are dark adapted, that thing is like fire to my retinas with all the white walls in my place.

There are a lot of other applications in which I want the brightest light I can get. For an indoors pistol light, however, that is not what I want. The only way I would want mine upgraded to a new LED is to keep the brightness the same but lengthen the runtime.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[Windex]

Where would I get the Seoul U2 Bin to modify the TLR-1?


Looking to turn this into a long distance light (well, bright / usable as possible)

 

[mmbeller191]

So if it will take a Seoul like CM put in does that mean it has room for a Q5 R2? Or what about a MC-E with IMR cells? I carry a TLR on patrol and wish it was as bright as the MTE P7 on my duty belt. I don't know much about light mods and wonder if a new driver would be required or if it is just as easy as switching out the led. Thanks for any info.

 

[mmbeller191]

Or for a simpler solution to increase output, has anyone tried 3.6 v RCR123s in the TLR? I'm curious but afraid to try.

 

[DaFABRICATA]

IMO...The Seoul Upgrade is definately worth it. It is extremely easy to do.

NO CREE LEDs WILL FIT FOR THIS!!

Skibane, some of the newer members do not know that the Crees and Seouls use the same "DIE" in there LED's...
However the outter demensions of the LED's are VERY DIFFERENT. I realize you are trying to help, but I feel it is unnessasary info and may confuse people that do not know the "DETAILS" of LED's. The "shape of the Cree emitter is a rectange as opposed to the round package that closely resembles the LUX. For these reasons alone, the Cree WILL NOT WORK.

That Said, A Seoul LED is Very easy to swap with the LUX III. The output is much better.

I recomend this mod to anyone buying a TLR-1 or 2

I also would not recomend using rechargables is this light as it is likely too high of voltage and will destroy the light.

 

[DaFABRICATA]

I was considering doing something similar, until I actually did a side-by-side comparison of a TLR-1 and a Fenix TK10. Even though the TK10 is rated at almost 3 times the lumen output of the TLR-1, in the real world there isn't a whole lot of difference in either throw or flood. In fact, the TLR-1 appears to throw a little further than than the TK10!

IMO, the TLR-1 is so good, it's really not worth the trouble of modding - at least with any of the current commonly-available Cree LEDs.

At the very least, I would suggest doing a comparison of your own with your favorite Cree LED flashlight before you attempt any mods - I'm betting you'll be surprised.

Again with the CREE....IT WILL NOT WORK FOR THIS!
Please stop bringing it up, you are simply confusing people./

ONLY A SEOUL OR AN LED OF THE SAME OUTSIDE DEMENSIONS WILL WORK

NO CREE's FOR TLR LIGHTS!!

 

[DaFABRICATA]

Hers some pics to show the differences between the LUX III, LUX V, Seoul P4, and a Cree.

Notice the cee's packaging is a completely different shape.

2 X LUX III on the left top....the gold colored one came out of my TLR2

One the left top is a LUX V

On the bottom left is a Seoul P4

on the bottom right is a CREE

Now you can see why it won't work....not saying it cant be done, but it work require more customizing and certainly is not a direct swap like the Seoul is.

Also to help crarify what the "DIE" is...it is the yellow colored square in the middle...The LUX V has 4 Die as opposed to the others with just one die.
Using a LUX V, MC-E, or P7 might work, but a reflector designed to work with 4 dies would give best results, as you have 4 different light sources compared to one single.

 

[Joe88XJ]

Hello this is my first post! I have a tlr-2 with the luxeon LED and am looking for somebody to modify this with the above mentioned seoul LED I believe a member named CM modded a unit for another forum member am I correct?