Another thing to do with the popular MXDL flashlight besides turning it into a red burner, is to modify it by replacing the already bright LED and driver! Here's the flashlight I am talking about:
DealExtreme: $12.66 MXDL 5W Lumileds CR123A 6V Flashlight

As I was browsing through all of the cool stuff at DealExtreme, I saw that Cree now has their new, super bright Q5 LED emitter:
DealExtreme: $5.36 Cree XR-E Q5 Emitter on Premium Star (228LM at 1A)

So, I looked for a circuit which would supply the required 1000mA at 3.7 volts and found this:
DealExtreme: $3.45 3.6~8.4V 5-Mode 3W Circuit Board for Flashlights (1000mAh 3.7V Output)

They both fit right in place of their counter parts in a matter of a few minutes and just a little solder. Also, with this circuit, you can use the 3.6 volt rechargeables. The result is 228 lumens at a nice wide throw! This is going to be your favorite flashlight. I have many super bright LED flashlights and even a 500 lumen xenon. But for the size vs brightness, I will be reaching for this little guy every time.
Jay

Added information:
This driver has 5 different modes. Using the MXDL, the modes can be changed from the on position, by slightly pressing the power button. If you slightly press the tail switch, from the on position, until the light turns off (but not enough to click the switch), then let off, it will be in 'low' mode. Do it again and it will be in 'slow strobe' (flashes about 3 times a sec.). Next is fast strobe (about 5 or 6 times a sec.). And finally, the 'SOS' mode which flashes about once every 8 seconds. But it works normally as if it had only the high mode in normal use. You have to make it switch modes. I like that it seems to always come on in 'high' mode because that's what I like most!...


P.S. One of the best hosts I have found for this mod is shown here:

MXDL mod for Super Bright Flashlight!



Click here to see my list of projects and tutorials!

I was actually just looking at that Q5 emitter earlier. Good to know how easy the mod. is to fit it. Do you have a link to the MXDL torch you are talking about ?

Oh, sorry. I just took it for granted that everybody has seen DDL's MXDL laser torch. I went ahead and edited in the link to the flashlight on the first post...
Jay

P.S. Here's a couple of pictures...Mainly just to show that the outer ring of the new circuit has to be grounded to the case by a small, solid wire 'pressed' tight between the circuit and the threaded mounting cap. I went ahead and soldered the wire to the outer ring of the circuit for a good connection.
Jay

"Beam" pics...

Light up the Night and snap off a few!!!

LarryQ

I find it amazing on how bright a little led could be i mean look back at the first light bulb it was like not near that bright and it was alot bigger now we got things that small that will blind u practicly lol cool.

I want one (clicks franticly on all those links)





....lazer..... ;D ;D ;D

Here's a picture Larry...this shows how wide the 'throw' of this set up is. It's not as much of a focused 'spot' type. I have other lights that are more of a spot but I like this wide beam better...and it still has plenty of distance! The face of the tunnle cave on my pool is about 35' away and the back patio area is about 50'!
Jay

Hi ....lazer....., I am amazed as well...I can't believe how awesome these high end LED lights are! I have thrown away and/or upgraded my other flashlights. This modification at 228 lumens is so bright, it is definately considered 'tatical'. In other words, it will blind or disorient a person if shined in thier eyes...(which I would never do)
Jay

WOW !! That is a nice light !! Thanks for informing us of that bit of info. I will definately be buying that torch and doing the mod. I just have to wait till at least one of the 4 orders gets here that I have in with DX. There is more stuff I want to order from them but the fisrt order I placed was shipped on the 30th of Oct. and I still havn't seen it yet so I want to wait and see if I get that one first.

Morepower, the MXDL is a very bright light to begin with. Probably about 100 - 120 lumens. After you modify it, it will be twice as bright...and a wider throw! It will definately live up to your user name! Yeah, you'll be calling it your 'Mini Herc'. Ha Ha! DX is just slow...figure about 3 weeks from order date on the average. Can't beat the deals though!
Jay

Excellent !!! That's what I like to hear !!

I've gotta tell you even though I knew that shipping was slow before I ordered from them i'm getting pretty bloody impatient. I was thinking about upgrading to EMS shipping when placing the order but i'm sure i've heard on a number of different occasions not to, due to Customs being a problem ?

Hot news flash! I made sure the face of the emitter circuit board was closer to the bottom of the reflector - just about flush. (which positioned the LED more inside the reflector) Now it is even better! It still has nice wide side ligthting but the center spot is much more brighter and throws even farther! Here's another picture...The wall is 35' away! Might as well be 75', it would still light it on fire!
Jay

I am so going to do this! Thanks! I love light...

Yeah I just ordered everything needed to make up 3 of them 8-) Oh and a Lux meter. Bring on the "Happy fun packages" !! ;D ;D ;D

Your welcome! Glad to see some are interested in this...it is an awesome light for the price. Easy mod too!
Jay

Three! They don't call you Morepower for nothing. Ha Ha! I know...one for the glove box, one for the night stand, one for the work bench, etc... Hey, don't forget to order the 3.6 rechargeables as well. You will get the most power from this set up by using the 3.6ers. Let me know what the difference is with the before and after using your meter! I don't know if you can beat DXs price for the batts...
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3273
Jay

I'd say that is the state of the art. As good as you get.

Those LEDs are very high tech. I saw magnified 100X pics yesterday of the phosphors and gold grids in that LED.

Now I got to get one. 8-)

I'm going to tape them all together !! Nah, i'm going to build one for my mum. She lives on her own and gets scared at night sometimes so I think this would be perfect for her. ;D ;D ;D

I ordered these batts for them http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6954

I just got this one today http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2888 and man for the size it really kicks some ass !!! I have a HUGE(compered to this little one) 5W torch I bought just over 12 months ago(paid just over $100) and this thing totally blows it away !!! I can't wait to see what this modded light is like. I will definately take some measurements with the new meter, should be interesting.

This is the torch I really want though !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79Aw8nH9IrM

Wow! I'll have to read up on that one...Can't have much of a run time without some damage somewhere. Wonder how long the batteries last??
Jay

Laserrod, I know that there are brighter lights out there, but when you consider price, bulb life, run time and most important...brightness for SIZE. This little light can't be beat! So easy to mod too! I like it so much, I think I'll order up some more to modify...
Jay

Hey Morepower, just wondering if you ever got your parts to do the MXDL/Cree Q5 mod? I know you said you had a lux meter and was curious about the output before and after...
Jay

I've got the emitters and the torches but am still waiting on the drivers to show up. When I have them I will take the before and after measurements, though I don't have any 3V CR123's so i'll have to power it with the lab PSU i've got.

Hmmm i have a 250W halogen bulb here, that produces ALOT of heat, i should try this sometime!

how would this flashlight compare too a 2mil candlepower one, would this be brighter, i know lumens and candlepower are 2 different things, but you can still probably see which one is brighter. Because if this will be brighter im gona order the parts to make it.

...lazer.. ;D ;D ;D

..

im gona bump this up, i want to buy it but i wonder if it is brighter or at least as bright as that 2mil candlepower one.

...lazer... ;D ;D ;D

Two different animals...I mean, I don't know candlepower vs lumens, but I believe the 2 million CP light you are probably talking about is one of those 'huge' things that you see at Costco. The kind that you just about have to have a generator for. Ha Ha! Or, at least a wheel barrow to carry it! If you compare this mod with a regular hand held flashlight, then it is a fair comparison. It is probably 10 times brighter than a 6 D Mag light. Even if you buy the $24 dollar LED upgrade for the Mag light, you will only get about 140 lumens.
http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bi...uery=mag%20led
This little tiny modified light will put out 228 lumens in the palm of your hand. So, when compared fairly, it can't be beat...(size wise)
Jay

Hey jayrob, out of curiosity how did you ground the PCB to the housing ?? Just solder across to the alluminium screw in module ? I've got all the parts now, I just need the time to build it as i'm in the pool industry and it's summer here.