Hmm, I suppose you could configure it that way using a 1/4-20 (quarter twenty) bolt if you wanted to fasten the light to a 2” cylindrical object, but my plan was to hold the flashlight in the clamp and bolt the clamp to a bike, ATV, etc.
Sorry if I created some confusion by mentioning the tripod hole. I plan on using the tripod mount for using the Q8 as a work light, and using the truss clamp in more rugged situations.
Yes, there is a risk of blowing the leds. This flashlight is completely direct-drive and with high drain 4.2V li-ion cells it runs the leds close to their maximum. Running them even harder with 4.35V cells might be too much. You may be saved by the 4.35V cells not being high drain enough too maintain their voltage, in that case there is no reason to use the high voltage cells anyway.
All the 4.35v cells I have tried so far had significantly worse performance then a high drain 4.2V cell. They have pretty high resistance in my experience.
Not saying that the 30B looks like a bad cell, just that the 30Q would be superior for maximum output, which I assume was the point of using a 4.35V cell.
Atrocious drop at turn on, would be losing a lot of light for a long time before seeing any positive out of it.
The potential for 4 of them in parallel to pop emitters at turn on would make it totally not worth the effort. In a single cell use, with the high Vf of say the Nichia 333 UV emitter, then yeah, it makes sense. (I actually do use this cell for just this purpose, a high Vf emitter at 3.8A that places a high demand on the cell.)
I'm curious never heard of a 4.35V cell at risk of popping a LED. I've never seen high Vf coming out of a 4.35V cell - how would that work? The 4.35V cells have always been known for flatter discharges, but never heard or seen one measure output to a LED at 4.35V - does that happen?
Again, if you want a flatter discharge, the 30B is preferred. Sure, you won't get great peak amps out of it. Similar are those first 15-45 secs high Vf you get out of a SONY VTC5A - great cell to quote lumens and throw with for the first 30 secs. Look at high amp discharges of a VTC5A compared to a VTC6 or 30Q - you'll see the VTC5A advantage, but a short lived advantage.
Just as a VTC6 or 30Q catches up to a VTC5A (quickly), the 30B does it slowly and eventually - that's why I'm saying low and steady. It's an interesting cell actually, worth considering for some. I used to discount them immediately for their lower output as well, but I've known some on the forum who always liked the 4.35V cells.
If the 4.35V cells could be designed to be more IMR like, and those flat curves raise a bit, would be better of course.