Wicked Lasers Torch (Modding?)

[Greco101]

I purchased the Wicked Lasers Torch and I'm somewhat disappointed with the hot spot. The light is literally all flood, kind of like having a headlight out of your car in your pocket.

It is BRIGHT and everyone wants one at work but would it be possible to mod it to throw nicer? There are a lot of dead spots in the flood and I'd really like it to have a nice tight beam. Is it doable without a machine shop?

 

[Norm]

Moved to Incandescent Flashlights - Norm

 

[monkeyboy]

I'd be curious to know about this too.

- Can standard maglite heads fit? (inc. fivemega's etc.)
- Will maglite LED heatsinks fit?

If so, this would make a really nice cut down tailswitch maglite compatible host.

 

[LuxLuthor]

I never bought a WL version, since we all built them using Maglites. If you can screw a Mag head on it, then your best bet is one of the "Large Heads" from my post here. My best suggestion for that bulb would be the 2.5" FiveMega Turbo.

 

[Greco101]

Does anyone have a Mag they can measure the diameter of the threads? If it *might* fit, is there a direct link to the recommended reflector/head? I see the FM section but no pricing. Thanks guys, appreciate the info.

 

[Nokoff]

They look similar, though they are not in any way compatible.

A regular Mag D head will not thread down onto a WL Torch. The WL Torch does not have the "mag-action" threads, it's straight up and down, on and off.

The bezel from a regular mag will also not screw on so no sleeper option there. The tailcap is not interchangeable; the body of a WL Torch is wider.

With the WL Torch, you are limited to stock body parts, though you get a fluted head, and a tail switch that gives that nice short body. There are things you can do simple and cheap to get your throw.

Get a different bulb for throw, one with a Vertical Filament such as below. You need to maintain a larger opening for a larger bulb, any mag sized reflector will work, such as an inexpensive Aluminum OP with 15mm opening.

For a bulb, I've tested the 62138 to 15.8V, though your results may vary, as LuxLuthor's test shows he got less but it wasn't in a Torch when tested. This may be due to resistance in the Torch, or I happened to have had a more robust bulb. Do be careful because the pack can be well over 17V right off your charger if using a regular or WL smart charger.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/bulbs/62138.jpg

FYI I found with a SMO reflector this beam was too tight for my taste, so switching the OP reflector opens it up and still gives a great amount of throw, much over the stock 64623 bulb, though you will lose some of that flood you don't like so much :thumbsup:.

 

[Greco101]

62138 are 12v right? You think right off the charger it'd just blow the lamp? I looked at some Mag reflectors and they all seem to be plastic which wouldn't last too long I'd imagine, hell, even my little olight came with aluminum reflectors. My apologies fellas, I'm new to the flashlight world. It's just been my Olight M21, ND3 and now my WL-Torch. My only "experience" with the internals would simply be replacing clicky switches in the cheapy e-bay lights.

Side note: What would cause an ebay light to lose it's mode selection? Started out high/low/strobe to what is now high only.

 

[jaundice]

To reflect what Nokoff said, I tried to screw on a Mag head on my WL Torch, and no dice.

When we refer to mag reflectors, we're not usually talking about stock plastic Maglite versions. Usually, it's aftermarket reflectors available from Fivemega (a custom maker), or Litho123 (Carley reflectors), or from some Far East websites that stock comparable examples. The pricing usually follows the same order. Be advised that many Fivemega reflectors require maglite compatibility, which won't work in the WL Torch. But any of the internal reflectors will fit just fine.

-John

 

[Nokoff]

Osram 62138 is 12V http://www.bulbconnection.com/ViewSIMItem/bcrw/simid/2000/item.html ..Note the VF (vertical filament) ...tremendous throw and very nice hotspot on this one.

Do not use plastic reflectors with a 100W bulb, you will cook it.

My pack needs a rebuild so I can't test the 62138 in The Torch right now, maybe someone else can or has. Do not test it without experience, filament failure is common, envelope glass failure can damage the reflector. Never push a bulb with the flashlight head off to get around this either and risk hurting yourself by tiny flying glass shards.

62138 are 12v right? You think right off the charger it'd just blow the lamp? I looked at some Mag reflectors and they all seem to be plastic which wouldn't last too long I'd imagine, hell, even my little olight came with aluminum reflectors. My apologies fellas, I'm new to the flashlight world. It's just been my Olight M21, ND3 and now my WL-Torch. My only "experience" with the internals would simply be replacing clicky switches in the cheapy e-bay lights.

Side note: What would cause an ebay light to lose it's mode selection? Started out high/low/strobe to what is now high only.

 

[DM51]

As others have pointed out, you paid a premium price for a brand-name version of a light many CPFers have built themselves for much less.

Maybe you should consider selling it, especially if you are dissatisfied with the beam and no other head/reflector combo will fit. Unless you have scratched it up or damaged it, you should receive enough $$$ from the sale to buy components to do a really good hotwire build from scratch - much more satisfying!

 

[jaundice]

DM51;

I must respectfully disagree with your assertion that the WL Torch isn't a good deal. They're now running $150, new, so that favorably compares with the cost of a homebrewed hotwire. (Although I agree that the satisfaction of building your own can't be beat)

For $150, you get:

chopped tri-bored host, worth $85
12x2/3 A NiMH battery pack $50
tailcap clicky $24
metal reflector $15
64623 bulb $9
glass lens $3
charger $20

Although the build quality is much less than a mag build, I think they're decent lights, for the money.

I just sold my WL Torch, but I'm keeping my Mac's Custom Torch, as well as my ROPs, my JimmyM regulated 64440 mag, etc.

-John

 

[DM51]

Although the build quality is much less than a mag build, I think they're decent lights, for the money.

Fair enough point! 🙂

 

[Greco101]

Thanks for the info guys. I actually paid $110 after shipping for mine directly through the site. I guess they upped the price right after I bought it. It took 6 weeks to get to me but for $100 bucks, I can't complain. I'd love to build my own but it's just not a huge priority right now. I'd have to buy a new soldering gun and supplies as well so it'd add to the cost, not to mention a heat gun if I was looking to make my own battery packs. For now I'm satisfied with my WLT, especially if I can tighten up the beam a bit for fairly cheap! 😀

 

[Greco101]

Do not test it without experience, filament failure is common, envelope glass failure can damage the reflector. Never push a bulb with the flashlight head off to get around this either and risk hurting yourself by tiny flying glass shards.

How do you test them? I figured it was a simple plug and play replacement? Please post back the second you test!! I'm stoked to order a few bulbs.

Also, for the internal reflectors, would they fit naturally or wobble around?

EDIT: "Rated Average Life 25 hrs" 😵 They burn out that fast? I think the original bulb specs said something in the ballpark of 2000 hours.

 

[mat_the_cat]

25 hours is still 300 battery cycles though...

 

[Nokoff]

I plan to build my own pack this year, though it's down the list a ways...Like I said, I had no problems at 15.8V in The Torch...options inlcude resting your pack after charging and/or use the 64623 for ~30 seconds first, then swapping bulbs. It's a little bit of work but easy, free, and all I can say is I was very impressed with this combo, and like you'd said, quite an inexpensive thing to do.
If only it came with a softstart :thumbsup:

How do you test them? I figured it was a simple plug and play replacement? Please post back the second you test!! I'm stoked to order a few bulbs.

Also, for the internal reflectors, would they fit naturally or wobble around?

EDIT: "Rated Average Life 25 hrs" 😵 They burn out that fast? I think the original bulb specs said something in the ballpark of 2000 hours.