Fluxient U2 mini replacement emitter advice

1st post, be gentle…

I’ve had a bit of an accident during reassembly of a Fluxient U2 Mini. I managed to crush the led against the lens. I now need a replacement. The existing part is marked as being a CREE J-A5. It’s a 16mm diameter disc. I believe it’s an XM-L U2. Is it worth upgrading to the XM-L2? Where’s the best place to get a replacement?

The main reason for going inside the torch, apart from being nosy, was to see if I could change the modes. It currently has 3, high, low, strobe. I wanted to remove the strobe and add a low setting. Now I’ve done some reading and realised that my only option appears to be using a 5 mode device and ignoring the strobe and sos modes. Again, any suggestions on a supplier?

Thanks.

Hi there, welcome to BLF.

It’s worth upgrading to XM-L2 if the LED you have is busted. You have multiple options in terms of tint/color temperature. The XM-L U2 is pretty cold blue-ish light if I remember correctly. If you like it, stick with it, but I prefer a little warmer myself. Want even better coler rendering, have a look at Nichia LEDs.

If you’re not in a hurry, have a look here: https://intl-outdoor.com/ , very reliable and recommended. If you are in a hurry and want your stuff fast, others will have to chime in on best place to get them.

If you are going to replace the driver (circuit board) it would be very good to know what the diameter of the one in your light is. 17mm and 20mm are fairly common diameters, but there are others.

Is your goal just to get it operational again without strobe, or are you interested in increasing output with modifications?

I’m using the torch for biking, either on the bars or helmet. I find the medium setting is occasionally too powerful, or rather I’d be happy to offset the brightness against increasing the battery life for long distance riding. I have no use for the flashing modes but I’ve not found anything that doesn’t have them. The driver board is 17mm.

The store I linked to has 17mm driver with group possible without strobe: https://intl-outdoor.com/amc71358-5mode-circuit-board-nanjg-105c-304a-p-667.html
Solder third or fourth star to ground ring and you won’t have any strobe. Mode brightness levels are fixed though.

There are plenty of other options for drivers though, maybe others can chime in.

If high output is not so important I do suggest treating yourself to some nice tint after having used the horrible XM-L U2 for some time. Have look at Nichia 219C LEDs. They are a little smaller than XM-L2s, so beam pattern might be a little different. Shouldn’t be a big deal though.