The Micro Illuminator has been my EDC. But, heck, it just ain't quite stylin' other than in a wonderful functional way. Also, I would prefer a more runtime than provided by AAAs, not that I've ever had the slightest problem with the Micro Illuminator's runtime. So, I played Dr. Frankenstein and removed the converter / emitter board and lens, and made a 1AA "Opera Light". The intent of this light is to be a somewhat fashionable way to find your seat at the opera or theater.
This is nothing more than a brass tube inside a inlace acrylester sleeve. The heart of this is the threaded (80 tpi) emitter / converter / reflector / heatsink module (pictured) that screws into the brass tube. A similarly threaded switch module screws into the other side of the tube and it's done.
Here's the Opera Light compared to a CMG Infinity Ultra. The switch is a simple, handcrafted, spring-loaded momentary on push button.
One change I would make is to put metal or plastic collars on both ends since the acrylester will likely chip the first time this light is dropped. Also, the 45 degree flood reflector results in a slight hole in the beam, so for flood I'd go with a 35 degrees off axis flat reflector instead, or alternatively for throw and use a parabolic or optics. Lastly, for finding a seat, red might be a better color.
This is nothing more than a brass tube inside a inlace acrylester sleeve. The heart of this is the threaded (80 tpi) emitter / converter / reflector / heatsink module (pictured) that screws into the brass tube. A similarly threaded switch module screws into the other side of the tube and it's done.
Here's the Opera Light compared to a CMG Infinity Ultra. The switch is a simple, handcrafted, spring-loaded momentary on push button.
One change I would make is to put metal or plastic collars on both ends since the acrylester will likely chip the first time this light is dropped. Also, the 45 degree flood reflector results in a slight hole in the beam, so for flood I'd go with a 35 degrees off axis flat reflector instead, or alternatively for throw and use a parabolic or optics. Lastly, for finding a seat, red might be a better color.