while all of this is totally right,
does it help?
sure, one can mod the head as hell, pushing
MUCH time and effort into it, and eventually get to insert a suitable reflector.
THEN comes the problem of sinking the led good, and to put the driver somewhere + get the heat away from there.
There
is the space needed, but the whole LA has to be modded (drilled/milled) to get it and then mount these parts
-->
MUCH time & effort again
using an 8X instead (to stay with the same batts) --> LA out, sink (with led, reflector, driver, springs) in --> done
a bit less difficult
... more already free space/volumen available
imho the best way is to have a 9N stay in original state (its the best rechargeable incan in "normal" power class available) and get/build better battery sticks (1 hour 30 mins runtime)
Better to mod lights that are much easier to work on. Possibly use one that runs from a single 18650 - which makes a comparable light in output, which is smaller, lighter and offers longer runtime