Came across this dive light today and it reminded me of the concept of the upcoming Astrolux MF03
So I had the thought, could it be modded to work that way? (for flood + throw) by installing a dedomed / HI emitter in the center reflector,
and maybe XP-L’s or XM-L2’s around it (looks like lettuce bright LED’s currently) I’m curious how the LED’s are mounted in this.
It has a magnetic selector ring switch with: OFF-LOW-HIGH-STROBE ….so maybe it could be rewired for OFF-FLOOD-THROW-BOTH ?
It has 6x 18650 configuration…
I’m not sure but it appears each pair is in series, then the 3 pairs are paralleled with each other, for 8.4v total?
So I suppose it’s running some sort of buck driver.
Yes with the larger center reflector it seemed to be set apart from the usual multi-emitter budget lights, and more like the MF03 concept.
But I’m sure it would be quite an extensive (but fun) mod to pull it off.
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Yes:
MF03 LED configuration:
7 pcs Cree xhp70.2
and
one Cree xhp35 hi
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Not sure how many cells the MF03 was suppose to be running?
Maybe XHP50.2’s would fit best, since the die size is the same as XM-L’s that’s already in this.
Then maybe an XHP35 HI for the center spot, but more complications for running a 12v and 6v emitters in the same light, although XHP50.2 are also available in 12v I believe. Or maybe a sliced SST40 for the spot, if 3v/6v would be more doable.
. One thing that might be an issue is if the reflector in this thing is plastic.
This dive light’s head is 73mm…
I did a quick percentage calculation of the approximate size of the center reflector using the photo, and I’m coming up with 25.5mm
Not much throw to be expected from a 25.5mm reflector.
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In the MF03 thread someone estimated the head at 120~130mm
So my calculation of the approximate size of the center reflector in the MF03 is about 45mm.
And it’s probably deeper too, so we can expect some throw from 45mm, but 25.5mm not much.
Yeah…
I’d like to add that I really hate the amount of dead space on the MF03 head. By dead I mean “not reflecting light forward”.
This light shows how this should be done.
But maybe it would be more expensive at larger size.
Sofirn also have a cheap 14 emitter version of the Skyray King known as SF34 and the gold color looks nice. However, TA said, “that host has a hollow pill and non-DTP mcpcb, it will cook the emitters if you try to bump up the power”
I do like the array of the 1st light best because it would have larger reflectors that the others.
I really can’t advise on gutting the switch because I don’t actually have this light yet. But I suppose anything is possible, If the ring can be easily removed then just find a location to drill a hole for the switch.
Personally I thought the magnetic ring switch was a great feature and since it’s 4-position I was thinking it could be rewired for OFF-FLOOD-THROW-BOTH
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The 12* DAOZHIMEI King has a larger head (65mm) vs 59mm for the Sofirn SF34, and the center reflector is much larger than the Sofirn, The DAOZHIMEI King’s center reflector looks comparable to the Sky-Ray 14* (70mm head) So I’m thinking that center led in the Sofirn won’t be much difference in beam than its outside leds.
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Ultimately I think the layout of the1st light has the best potential for a budget MF03, but I do like the compact size of the kings, out of those two I like the DAOZHIMEI I just posted, it has the largest head and (I think) center reflector. But it’s a crapshoot on the pill until someone gets one.
They do multi-cup reflectors to over 100 mm without prices skyrocketing.
I suppose the reason might be that they wanted to have the centre reflector deeper than the others……
For the 1st light I’m wondering how we could power the 8 outer leds separate from the center, and also run all together, would that require 2 drivers? And 2 switches? I couldn’t find any info on a dual output driver.
Also I’d like to know how those magnetic ring switches are usually wired, I suppose it’s like an e-switch? Maybe requires a special driver.
Also can anyone speculate the voltage from the 6* cells? I suppose each set of 2S are paralleled to each other, then 8.2V to the driver?
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@ BlueSwordM, I’m thinking now too we’d need either gut the ring switch and add 2 e-switches, or leave the ring and add one e-switch.
I hope someone orders this and reports on the pill construction. I’ll eventually get it myself when I get some extra cash.
Lexel has said he could build a dual driver for the Astrolux MF03 which uses 2 buttons.
I don’t know how the magnetic ring switches work either. My guess is they would be using an MCU with a lot of input pins so that each switch position has its own input on the MCU.
It looks like it’s 2S3P for 6v.
It is extremely difficult to add an e-switch to a light that doesn’t have one. To do it the right way would require machining and tapping threads etc which is beyond the skills of the average person. I would deem it unsuitable as a host.
That’s definitely plastic. There’s no way you can machine that from billet aluminum.
What’s wrong with a plastic reflector? I thought they were the best.
Thanks for the info on Lexel and the dual driver for MF03! That’s awesome. I also have a feeling those ring switches are wired to multiple pins.
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Some e-switches are just press fit, so no threads, just pressed into a hole. But personally no problem if threads need tapped, I have many metric taps and dies. Why would it require machining? It’s just a round hole, can be done with a drill bit.
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The reflector in the 1st light in the OP is aluminum.
I know they are machined for single led lights, but I assumed the aluminum ones in multi-emitter budget lights were die-cast then metal film coated on the reflective surface the same as machined ones are. But I don’t personally have any of those so I’m just guessing.
I’ve been advised that plastic reflectors can melt from the heat of a well driven emitter. Guess it depends on the plastic they use.
There shouldn’t be much heat on the reflector itself since it’s sitting on a plastic insulator.
The only e-switches I’ve seen are designed to be soldered to a pcb. I’ve never seen a press fit switch small enough for flashlight use. Do you have a link to the ones you are thinking of?
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