Coast hx5 modding question

I bought a coast hx5 zoomie with the intention to swap the led and install a new driver. But I failed to open the head. Has anyone succeeded with this and how?

I had hoped to do the same thing. However reading here and elsewhere in the internet convinced me I didn’t have the skill. The head is glued on. People have been able to break glued heads with A) brute force. Wrap the head in rubber or use a rubber strap wrench and do the same for the body. Some have been able to break them loose. B) heating. Apparently this can soften the glue. Once you get it open you find a 10mm board with the led perched on top of a pedestal. This is their design for the zoom. Makes it tricky to change out the led. Sorry I don’t know about the driver. However if you can crack open the bezel you may be able to get at it. I think the prevailing opinion around BLF is that it isn’t worth the time and effort and you should just get a zoomie that is easier to mod. However I say go for it and let us know how it turns out.

That is a very good overview, thank you!

I think I will try to heat the head carefully with a regulated heat gun that I bough when I wanted to mod a fenix e01. Will see if I can open the head carefully enough. I really like the mechanics of the hx5, the movement is much shorter than that of any normal zoomie and it soo smooth. But the light is pretty much useless with the single stage driver.

Yes, the switch is mushy too. I hope you have success and please let us know what you can do with it.

I modded one of these.

I used 3M indoor stairway grip tape wrapped around both sections of the bezel to give better grip, then turned with my hands to break the glue. I tend to get better results with this than with my strap wrenches.