RJ-02 is probably the cheapest headlamp worth its price. It’s not top notch. And it is very bulky. And more like 350 lm. But it’s fair quality and cheap. If want a cheap light that just works and don’t have higher aspirations that’s a good choice. Modding? Easy lens swap and doable LED swap (as long as LED footprint matches and you have hot air). No driver swap unless you’re a wizard or know how to design one.
I don’t have a D25 but I have its sibling (Boruit D20) on the way and it seems like a higher quality option…except that I’ve heard it’s not fully waterproof. D10 is.
It is more moddable:
you can swap a driver
you can do MCU swap to change firmware on the existing driver
you can swap optics
you can swap any 3V LED in D10
you can swap any 3V LED with matching footprint in D25 (not sure about other footprints)
+1 on the D25. D10, or Manker sale, I like the AA (E03) for size/runtime.
It might be fun to mod the 3xAAA headlamp (afterall it was a gift from the wife) with some Hi-CRI 5mm like these to run on rechargeable NiMH AAA’s. Up to 80 lumens is still great for closeup use.
I read the mod threads on this head light. Just to be sure, people are placing their soldering irons along side the emitter to heat the board for reflowing?
Interesting. Is the D10 more or less moddable than the D25s? D25 has 2 emitters on a single mcpcb that don’t seem easily swappable without reflow, plus it’s aluminum. I like that D25s says it has sst40s though? Not sure if they’re fakes though like the XML-2. I’m considering the D10 since it has a 20mm mcpcb. What is the driver swap like? Anyone have teardown pics?
I’ll probably order this one. I like that it has a single led on a standard mcpcb and looks easy to mod. Has anyone ever swapped the driver? It’s a great candidate for an sst40 or maybe an xp-l hi in 5000k?
You can grab a D10 off of ebay for pretty cheap but there are clones of clones and the most important thing to watch out for is the plastic holder which has a see thru hole in it like the ones Sofirn was selling .The lights came out way to easily and the nub didn't keep the light in it's set position .
The one you want just has a nub ... no square see thru hole.
Pennzy> all of my R2's /D10's /d25's have emitter tint good enough for the common man .No nasty green /purple or freakish blues .All surprisingly decent considering the price.
Problem with the R2 is size and PWM ..But if you get rid of the headband /Slap a big magnet to the tail connect it to the side of your fridge or range hood it's a nice cheap light..Just not as a headlamp :)
D-10 ,Skillhunt H03 nw, or the Manker AA E03H at $18 are all great lights ***> the deal on the Manker is XP-L only at this point (no Nichia) but it's still a very nice AA headlamp.
Thanks for all the suggestions! Probably still going to do the D10, although, I did find one that has some interesting features… claims to have 2 fake XML-2 and two xpg2. I’d lume to get our just to tear our airway and see if I could swap 2 xpl hi in it and 2 high cri 3535 size emitters. 6 led headlamp Rechargeable headlamp, 6 LED 8 Modes 18650 USB Rechargeable Waterproof Flashlight Head Lights for Camping, Hiking, Outdoors https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q8G36QV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fXGgEbTTTRKTG
Don’t do that 6 headed monster, you will just end up ordering another headlight till you get a real quality one.
That thing is going to weigh ton with the dual battery pack on the back.
I have a headlight with that battery pack and they weigh so much that over time the elastic in the headband gets stretched and weak.
Pretty much guarantee it will also have horrible low freq. PWM and crap tint.
Available in Cool White or Neutral.
Currently 29.99 - 5% coupon = 28.49 and this includes a good 3400Mah battery and Thrunite quality build.
Have the reg Wowtac A2 and love it. Good mode spacing, great headband and just quality. Battery runs forever.
The headbands with no strap over the top will eventually drive you crazy.