You can see the archived poll results on the Wayback Machine:
https://web.archive.org/web/20221220093741/https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/72539
Hello guys,
A recent thread created some interest in doing a group modding "class" for us noobies to learn how to mod a light. It seems like the best way would be to take some suggestions on what to build, vote, then everyone get the same materials. Let's put a timetable of a week to nominate, then I will update the poll and we can vote.
So....... let's hear what you experts say would be the best format to start with. I would supposed this would be an XML Project with a stout driver that would produce a great light we'd all be proud of.
We can format nominations as follows
P60, XM-L, H-M-L, at least 3A driver
Then our experts can find the best deals on said parts and we're in business.
p60 , best starter lights
C8? Not sure but someone in the previous thread thought it would be good and they are fairly cheap
The NANJG 105c driver is a good choice for the XM-L. Modes can be user-selected with little trouble, and the 2.8A drive level is perfect.
The C8 with P60 pill would be my choice, as 99% of the work would be identical to doing a P60 dropin, short of what the pill screws into. Those choosing the P60 route could still do so.
I would recommend a single-cell light, to be sure.
The LED choices would be Cool White, Neutral White, and Warm White.
Perhaps a choice of reflector could be offered - Light Orange Peel (LOP) or Smooth (SMO)
This would keep the ordering of different parts to a minimum.
Wat r the 4 versions ?
I believe the four versions are four when we narrow it down to four hosts that we vote on to decide the basis for the flashlight
What is a C8 with a P60 pill? My KD C8 doesn't have a P60 pill, and I can't remember seeing an empty C8 host.
-Garry
C8 - the P60 format was never designed with high current loads in mind and this might as well be optimal
With the C8 only a driver swap makes sense as XML versions are as cheap as XRE
The KD "New" AMC7135 based driver uses higher binned AMC7135s for more current (370mA each as opposed to 350 on the NANJG 105/106)
so I propose- C8 XML, KD 3A "NEW" driver , Mode set instructions for those who wish to change from the stock modes
Everyone's first mod should be a Maglite mod :)
It should also be required that the Maglite you mod is one that you or a family member already owns LoL.
My first 3-4 were... It started out with a 36x 5mm LED array, eventually followed by a mod using a single low-bin XR-E emitter and a generic DX 5xmm reflector, and eventually on into a 3x XR-E R2 mod using the DX reflector painstakingly ground to fit. That light is now unusable due to a really bad Alkaline battery leak. The switch set screw seems to be badly corroded/frozen as I'm unable to loosen/remove the switch to clean the debris out. It was a very nice light when working... 
My very first Maglite mod was on one that had 10 year old batteries in it, Duracell in fact. They had leaked and were frozen inside the Maglite. I unscrewed the switch assembly and then hammered the switch assembly with a socket extension bar to force the stuck batteries out. Cleaned it out with some WD-40 and a little sand paper.
Would you believe the switch assembly and body tube survived all the hammering with zero ill effects? LoL. Truly an amazing light!
I never had a MagLite... I don't like them, but I think that the P60 is a MUST HAVE for every flasaholic, who doesn't own at least one P60?
I was under the impression that there was a version of the C8 that took a P60 screw-in pill. I'll look for the thread.
The Mag mod would be awesome. My only concern is one of cost for our non-USA members. Some of them would pay the equivalent of $75USD for just the Mag.
One of Match's miniMag mods would be less expensive to implement.
So many options for a Maglite mod too!
- 2,3,4,5, or 6 D sized light with about 10 different color choices
- single or double 18650 with custom PVC battery holder, standard D NiMH, 26650, or 32650
- direct drive, buck driver, or buck/boost driver
- tailcap mod
- switch mod
- choice of focusable reflector (drilled out rebel reflector or cut-off-cam standard) or pre-made pill assembly with fixed reflector
- led choices of xr-e, xm-l, whatever you want (single or triple)
- option of building an aspheric mag with drop in lens from DX
So many choices...
personally a maglite is a poor idea...by the time it'd be done non US members could probably get a dry, or atleast a nice shadow.
C8, P60....
or something like a 26650 or large cell light for the forum to create something unique.
I think a lot of it is location. So many countries around the world and it's hard to get the same light in all of them. Seems like buying from china is the only way to have everyone get the same thing. Of course, that is based on the thought that the vendor will have the lights "in stock", which might be a problem.
Don't know anything about P60 but I assume it's a small light (only a 26mm diameter reflector), so the high powered emitters are sort of a waste, since the reflector is too small to really handle the output of the emitter, like an XM-L, but the XM-L is so cheap now, it's a mute point I guess.
P60 sounds like it's probably best for all the beginners that want to find out about how a light works and if they want to really mod or not.
Different tastes for everyone might make it harder to determine the exact drop-in, emitter and board. Just the kind of thing that happens when a bunch of people get together, but I'm sure it will be worked out.
According to Battery Junction, the P60 module, Fits to the following lights:
Blackhawk Falcata, Boker B0006, Brinkman Legend, Maxfire (LX models on both), Cabela's XPG (Xenon models), Dereelight CL1H (all Versions), DealExtreme {DX} HF-19, SKUs' ~ 1284, 4226, 14329, 14597, 14902, 15159 (DIY chassis), 15565, 15561 & OEMs, G&P T6, T9, T12, R12, Hellfighter X-4, X-8, Huntlight FT-01PJ, FT-01X SE (Luxeon versions on both), Kaidomain KD Tough, & OEMs, Leupold MX series w/ MX-100 bezel, M812, Mega CREE Q2, Nextorch (vaious models), Pelican M6 (newer version M6)...Slight modifications needed, PentagonLight X1, Xenon chassis {to be confirmed}, Pila GL2/3/4, Romisen RC-E4, RC-M4, RX-A, Smartfire A-1,T1, Solarforce L2, SF6, SF9, SF12, Spiderfire Q5, R2, X-O3, Superfire C1, see Ultrafire models, Surefire {SF} 3P, 3R, 6, 6P, 6PD, 6PL, 6R, 6Z, 7Z, 9P, 9Z, C2, C3, D2, D3, G2, G2L, G2Z, G3, G3L, GZ2, M2, Z2, Z3, Various Weaponlight models, Tactical Operations Products Stryker (slight modifications necessary), Xenon models, Trustfire T1-Q5, TR-B1/2/3, TR-C1 & 2, TR-Q5, TR-C2, Ultrafire 6P, 9P, 12P, C1, Alpha-C1, L2, WF-501A/B/C/D, WF-502B/C/D, WF-503B, Wolf-Eyes (See dimensions), XLight HA-III Cree Q3 kit, HA-III Cree Q5 XTAR P4
Here is the link to that information.
There are probably more that it fits.
I would like to mod my 502b MC-E to XM-L and stick in a good 2.8 A 3-mode driver. Then maybe I can stick my MC-E into something else.
Very inexpensive and made for the P60 drop-ins. Keeps the price down for newbie modders.
I'll re-post this from my response in the "I want to learn how to mod a flashlight" thread. Note that I have never built this myself, nor do I even own a P60 light (I know, I know, I'm on it!). I am also very limited in my modding experience. This would certainly be more expensive than buying a "ready to use" light, but it's for the experience and learning. I suppose you might be able to have people pick their own emitters. You could even have people pick their own drivers, however posting instruction on where to solder leads would differ depending on which drivers everyone is actually using. People could also choose whether or not they want an OP or SMO reflector (after learning differences of each - or teach how to take an SMO and make it more like an OP?). If all participants could easily get a Maglite I would definitely say a Maglite should be one of their first mods (if not the first). There can be a lot more "modding" as opposed to just "building". And then there is the "wow" showing it off (since many people would already be familiar with a Maglite). In this case I don't think a Maglite is appropriate.
Ok, here's the repost:
For a project I was thinking an Ultrafire 501B host , empty p60 drop-in module, XM-L T6 emitter on 16mm base, lots of choices on drivers - try this out - or in the US here (and already modded to 3mode). You might need Teflon wire like this or this. That driver is a 1.4A on high which might be better suited for that 501b host (from what I hear - I have no experience with this setup). You could jump to the 8x7135 for 2.8A high, but then you have to watch the heat.
You could also try a Maglite mod. My first "real" mod was putting a drop-in into a Mag running on 2 Li-Ions. Not too difficult. You wouldn't be doing much with the driver though since it's pre-wired and attached.
I think the above is a good simple get your feet wet usable type build. Not really a mod, but building from separate components.
-Garry
(Others feel free to chime in on anything I linked as not being well suited.)