Mod advice please

See links at the bottom for pics. I like the body of this light, and the click on/off trigger, but the output is abysmal - "beam" looks like the 9-led AAA lights that stores give away....

I would like to replace the leds and am looking for suggestions.

maybe these, they're new (to their site)
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/1w-80-90lm-6000k-white-led-light-bulbs-3-2-3-4v-10-piece-pack-65220

these would cost more but might work better w/ the reflector?
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/lbw041050b-1w-led-emitter-60-lumen-white-3-0v-3-4v-13286

I've got three of these lights (they were clearance at advance auto for $3). so I thought I'd do one relative inexpensive mod and if I like it I'll do another with better emitters, new driver, li-ion, maybe cooling...etc.

As you can see, they use 4 AAs in some kind of removable pack that looks like it was 'designed' to replace a 6v SLA. There's lots of extra room in there if I were to carve out the supports for the case.

I measured the voltage and current when I first posted this (lost in the great crash) but will have to measure again when I get home - I think each LED was getting ~3.1V and total current drawn was ~350ma

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7998479&l=5f44aa9712&id=581641797
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7998480&l=b679d1d61a&id=581641797
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=7998478&l=f6a6b3c65e&id=581641797

THANKS!

This sort of "can I mod this light" thread has come up before. Short answer; yes you can mod the light to use a high output LED. Using NiMH AA cells would give you the voltage and current needed to fully drive the LED. BUT... Its plenty of work and for the money you could buy a nice AA powered light that would fit in a pocket and deliver as much light as the search light.

First, thanks for the input.

I'm pretty up to date on what lights are available, I'll probably order a dx xm-lt6 light that uses a single 18650 when I order the LEDs for this light mod. But, that will be for hiking, or will get stuck on my mossberg...

The thing is, I like pistol grip lights, for use in my truck and boat (seated). I think they're more comfortable, and also face stand in choppier water than a stick light.

As many point out, part of the fun is doing the mod. for example, I put AA nimhs in my stanley led spotlight. For the time it took me, I could have just bought 2 or 3 more of the same light...although I also crafted longer trigger and lock parts to replace the kiddy sized ones .....i digress

In this case, if I could find a pistol grip light with on/off (not momentary with lock), 200+ lumens, and this style of reflector, for what I'll end up spending on this, I'd be all over it...

I guess what I'm hoping is 1. someone has tried some emitters in a reflector like this and will know what works 2. knows the minimum current they'll still emit at (ie if i'll have to also purchase a driver).

The way my past orders w/ DX have gone, if I order now and need something different to finish the mod, the summer will be half over :sick2:

bump

maybe i'll just order and figure it out the old fashioned way