I picked up an Energizer Hardcase Professional 2D a little while ago. I had a fair bit of throw, but the hotspot was very tight, and it wasn't terribly usable. It had a Luxeon K2, driven @ 700mA, for a grand total of 60 Lumens.
From DX, I got a Qree XRE-Q5 for not very much $, on a star. As it turns out, it's very straightforward to fit this to the Hardcase.
I've taken some photos and before and after beamshots and put them
here --> http://www.flickr.com/photos/42166182@N04/sets/72157622556500391/
The 2 catches:
1. The lens assembly is glued into place. You'll need a vice or 2 people to open it the first time. It simply twists off.
2. The Cree LED is lower than the Luxeon. In order to have the Cree sit high enough in the reflector, you will need to file down the back of the reflector. Due to my terrible soldering skills, mine still sits too high, and I have a "doughnut". If sat right, this thing would throw like crazy. Mine's a little floody due to rookie mistakes.
All in all, an easy way to get from 60 to 180 lumens! (Cree Q5 @ 700mA is 180-190 lumens, on paper)
From DX, I got a Qree XRE-Q5 for not very much $, on a star. As it turns out, it's very straightforward to fit this to the Hardcase.
I've taken some photos and before and after beamshots and put them
here --> http://www.flickr.com/photos/42166182@N04/sets/72157622556500391/
The 2 catches:
1. The lens assembly is glued into place. You'll need a vice or 2 people to open it the first time. It simply twists off.
2. The Cree LED is lower than the Luxeon. In order to have the Cree sit high enough in the reflector, you will need to file down the back of the reflector. Due to my terrible soldering skills, mine still sits too high, and I have a "doughnut". If sat right, this thing would throw like crazy. Mine's a little floody due to rookie mistakes.
All in all, an easy way to get from 60 to 180 lumens! (Cree Q5 @ 700mA is 180-190 lumens, on paper)
