I decided to upgrade my Yinding (Gemini Duo Clone) to XP-L HI V2 3C emitters, 10Āŗ LEDDNA optics, and a remote switch. Emitters on 16mm Noctigons from Mountain Electronics, and the remote switch is nothing more than a cheap PTT Remote Mic switch for a 2-way radio (search Ebay for "PTT Remote" and as of this date there is a US Seller to get them for $6.64.)
The remote switch was the first step and is quite simple. Disassemble the light, remove driver board from back housing, drill a hole just slightly smaller than the diameter of the wire in an appropriate location, cut remote wire to length, feed through the hole (should be tight fit), and solder across either the top two switch contacts or the bottom two contacts (I chose the bottom two as they are easier to access). Note that the wire is "Litz Wire" and will not conduct electricity until you burn off the coating on the wires (soldering iron will do that for you, but don't be alarmed if you, like me, wonder why your DMM doesn't show continuity right away).
Here are a few pics of the remote installation:
The wiring then gets placed so it runs along the bottom side of the driver board when the board is reattached to the rear body plate.
See above, the use of a zip tie to keep the cable from getting yanked out. A zip tie is also placed on the power cord for the same reason. (Note: the zip ties will make it difficult to reassemble because you'll be squishing them in.)
Here are the XP-L on Noctigons installed in series with XP sized butterfly spacers trimmed to fit (needed for correct height for the optics):
Finished light:
I don't have a pic mounted to a helmet (need an aluminum GoPro adapter with additional heatsinking yet) but here is one I stole from user tigris99 (hope he doesn't mind). (Note the remote switch mounted to the side of the helmet too):
Mine will be mounted lower in the front like my BT21 shown here:
One two nearly full charged protected 2,600 Sanyo cells in a modded Fenix 2-cell case:
Tried two mismatched mostly charged up high-discharge cells and saw slightly higher current:
Beamshots ("High" Mode Only):
Mouseovers - Mouse Out = Stock Form (tint is approx. a 5B1, so you'll see tint difference too), Mouse Over = XP-L HI modded. Approx. 185 feet to the two trees, utility pole in the distance is at approx. another 100 feet away from the trees:
Wooded Setting:
Pretty impressive difference! You'll notice in the yard shot that the XP-L's are lighting up the utility pole in the distance! Interestingly enough the XP-L's (or due to optics change) also light up a slightly wider area up in front of the light! I like it! I lost the more realistic color rendering of the 5B1 tint, but I think the gains were worth it.
Note: Full PhotoBucket gallery with more pics here.
-Garry