OK, so I want to build myself a "white laser"...

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
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…on a budget. You know, something that throws ridiculously well, preferably without any “ringyness”. I don’t want to do an aspheric build, mostly because I’m not a big fan painting images of LEDs on everything I point it at. So the general idea is to get the tightest beam possible using a traditional style reflector.

The only throwy lights I have in my collection thus far are the UF 980L and the Cyclone C88. The 980L in particular is a lot of fun, but still underwhelms me a little in that respect.

I’ve sort of been hovering around the idea of purchasing a C8 host kit with an XP-G reflector, throwing an XPG-2 in it, and driving it at around 2A. But I’m not sure how effectively such a host would dissipate the heat, or how well it would even throw. So what I’m looking for is suggestions that would result in something clearly superior to such a setup.

Thanks in advance!

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I doubt a C8 sized light will outthrow the UF980L. Better buy something like the HD2010 or the Jacob A60.

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How would an XP-G2 go, behind a HD2010 reflector though, being that it’s designed for an XM-L? I’m thinking not so good. The A60 looks like an option for consideration though. But even then, how would an XP-G2 go, behind a reflector designed for an XR-E? I mean, they make XP-G specific reflectors for the C8, so there must be some differences.

I’m definitely going to keep the A60 in mind though. It’s cheap, and looks pretty decent. Thanks :slight_smile:

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Look here.

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/10710#comment-219342

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XP-G2 in a HD-2010 is here post 38. Distance is 120 meters. I could not adjust out the ring.

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/10710

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I beat you to it. :P Do you have a lux meter to measure the lux?

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Sorry but no lux meter. Yeah I read earlier your a fast muti tasking typist. I'm just a slow old fart when it comes to typing.

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Hmmm, interesting. I have to say that I’m somewhat allergic to rings like that though. Still, it’s a good effort.

Leaning towards going the A60 route though. I could encounter similar issues of course, but uncharted territory is somewhat exciting :wink:

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This flashlight https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/9515 surprised me for what it was. It wont set any distance records but bang for bucks I reckon it would be hard to beat for throw. There is a couple of night shots on post 127. If I get around to it today I have an XP-G2 to go in a P60 pill and reflector ready to assemble. Its 1.30 am at the moment. Been a big day. Edit. Sorry cainn, you know what time it is here as you could be my neighbour.

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Another interesting light. Thanks again :slight_smile:

If we’re close neighbours, we’ll probably discover it eventually. You know, mysteriously illuminated trees at odd hours of the night :wink:

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Just ordered an A60 from bestofferbuy for $US 13.14 using coupon code: BOB10 (10% off)

After digging through lots of previous discussion it certainly seems to be well regarded in these here parts, for the price anyway :slight_smile:

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Oh, and btw, just because I’ve gone ahead and purchased a light to mod, doesn’t mean I’m no longer interested in other suggestions :slight_smile: Bring them on!

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Okay, so here’s the best bs answer I can think of. Lasers are monochromatic(all one wavelength) so to make a “white” laser you need a prism to split the light into component wavelengths and then focus each one and recombine them into a white light laser.

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You do mean a flashlight? Not a white laser. Apples and oranges

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I’m sure he means a flashlight which throws so well and has high OTF lumens that makes it look like a white laser.

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Here’s where someone made an actual white laser.

For the narrowest beam, maybe a HD2010 with a high bin Cree XP-C at ~700 mA. Or maybe the same HD2010, but with this Cree XM-L (Direct solder to copper star) with direct drive on a single Li-ion battery.

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Indeed.

For the benefit of everyone else, the term “white laser”, when it is used in flashlight enthusiast circles, is a sort of humorous caricature of a flashlight that puts out such a tight beam that it would seem impractical to most other people.