When I first saw the D25C Ti it looked just like nice compact clicky but didn’t realize the huge modding potential of this little light until I had it in my hands. Being the older 2014 model I got the XP-G version for $40 which is a steal for a titanium light (2015 model is $70).
(This is the first impressions I posted in the other thread I’ll just copy it here again)
Stock as is, it throws better than anything in this size and the construction is among the best I’ve seen. Threads are really smooth and the clip sits firmly in place. I expected it to be dim but little light is bright, even with a CR123! It also comes with AR lens and GITD switch boot.
And the best part? The bezel can be easily unscrewed to access the 17.75mm reflector and LED which is mounted on a 14mm standard aluminium mcpcb with a very nice XP centering ring. Pill is made from brass and it is press fit. Driver diameter room measures 17.3mm so it’s perfect to fit a FET+1 in there. But wait, there’s more: tailcap unscrews even without having to remove the pocket clip, it has a (possibly) silver coated spring and a small switch the size of an Omtem, easy replacement there.
Today all the parts arrived and the build is done:
-Trimmed 16mm noctigon into 14mm to fit in brass pill (press fit to head)
-FET+1 with 6-mode FW,
-Spring bypass
-XP-L HI V2 1A, I just love that pure cool white tint.
Stock mcpcb
Stock driver
Stock driver uses a 17mm contact board, soldered to a retaining ring and the driver itself is 16mm with a potentiometer on it. I wonder what’s that for. Noctigon has been trimmed 16->14mm with a dremel.
Everything put together and the front looks nice and clean.
Copper braid spring bypass
Not as clean as I’d like because the solder overflown a bit when attaching the brass contact.
A ceiling-shot
The result is an insanely bright compact pocket rocket that throws almost like my Convoy M2, the 18mm reflector in this light works wonderfully with the XP-L HI and the beam is nice with no artifacts. With an Efest 16340 V2 it draws 4.3A and gets hot in less than 10 seconds in turbo. UI has been infinitely improved with the removal of strobe and a much lower moonlight mode, and well spaced mid and high with the FET+1 from MTN. Next step will be heat treating, but I’m afraid to ruin the beautiful shiny finish of the polished titanium.
I could say this mod is partly inspired by Vihn but being a BLF’er one has to follow the DIY spirit, making it bright without breaking the budget! Will try to bring you some beamshots, I’m having a short trip in the following days!
Some numbers with my cheap meter:
-Sinner Ti, 3A Qlite + Triple XP-G2 S4 2B, Efest 18350: 7,200cd 3.0A
-Zebralight SC52, Windyfire 14500: 5,400cd 1.85A
–47 Quark Ti AA, 3A Qlite + XP-L V3 2B, Windyfire 14500: 19,000cd 3.02A
-Eagletac D25C Ti, FET+1 + XP-L HI V2 1A, Efest 16340: 25,700cd 4.3A
Interestingly, current draw with the much cheaper 14500 windyfire is 4.8A vs efest 16340 V2 4.3A.