Zipka/Tikka mods?

[ArisaemaDracontium]

I have a Petzl Zipka. Its a good lamp, but the light output seems to be behind the times. I would like to upgrade it with some newer brighter/more efficient LED's.

I found this thread which got me far enough to crack the thing open. Now what?

What are some of the best 5mm LEDs I can get to put in this light? Fred from Photon Fanatic suggested hitting ebay for these, but I have no idea what to look for. Claimed output ranges from 20,000 mcd to 55,000 mcd, but they don't say much else about the LEDs themselves. Anyone have any input?

Also, someone on the above thread suggested coating the reflector in something more reflective such as a chromed finish. How would I go about doing that?

Thanks,
AD

 

[barkingmad]

Depends how much light you want... replacing 5mm LED's with brighter ones may help - but you might be better off with a new headlamp to start with - i.e. a PT Eos or Tikka XP where you can swap the 1w emitter (already probably a lot brighter than your current lamp) with a 3w Seoul.

 

[ArisaemaDracontium]

I have an EOS and an Apex. They certainly outclass the Zipka. But I like the Zipka's light weight, compact size and flexibility, it would make a great primary light for backpacking if only it were somewhat brighter. So I think it would be worth the effort to modify it if I can make it more useful to me.

I've noticed that my Zipka is only as bright as the four 5mm LED low mode on my Apex. What kind of LED's might make it match the high mode for the four 5mm LED's on the Apex?

I'm kind of new to this so any help would be appreciated.

 

[yellow]

no led mod,
the existing ones just need more current to be equal

 

[ArisaemaDracontium]

no led mod,
the existing ones just need more current to be equal

But aren't newer 5mm LED's more efficient in much the same manner that higher powered LED's have become more efficient?

 

[gearbox]

How many mcd are the stock LED's in the Tikka/Zipka as it is?

 

[ArisaemaDracontium]

no idea. All I can say is that they are only as bright as the 4 LEDs on my Apex when it is on low.

Anyone?