Easy-to-assemble and inexpensive first DIY light?

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
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Unfortunately, unless someone you trust has a light in hand to take measurements, no, you can’t predict what’s inside. As an example many if the Cngq hosts list a 16mm star, but will take a 20mm one…

The answer is to build up a stock of parts, once you find what you like.

I like the 6*7135 driver’s as they are good for xp-g’s, you cab add chips for xm-l, they give the modes I like and fit many single cell lights. I have 20mm contact boards for adaptations and I’m finding what emitters I like tint and bin wise, so I can hopefully mod as I recieve.

There are then more special builds, two cell, larger hosts, odd set ups, I don’t keep stock for those as such.

But it is nice to get an edc light that takes your fancy and be able to tailor it to your preference (tint and modes/output). Or only have to buy a host kit, spend a short while and you have a light that suits.

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Sorry! Here ya go.

-Garry

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So I went back and forth a number of times, trying to pick a host and components. Unfortunately, that got halted when this cold snap came through and increased my energy budget needs exponentially. But there is some good news. My ebay C8 arrived, sort of. Had to send it to a brother’s house because they don’t do PO’s and I can’t get mail at my house (very rural). So I’m going to pick that up tomorrow. Also, I’ve learned a lot thus far, but I have a couple more questions.

First off — I’ve seen it asked a few times — why can I get a full flashlight for just a little more than the same host? I mean, not necessarily a cheap flashlight and a good host, but sometimes the same brand. At that rate, I don’t really know that it’s worth it to start with an empty host. I mean, if you go with a couple different drivers, pills, reflectors, and emitters (to try two setups), you’re looking at $30 or so. Alternatively, I can pick up a decent light, a second driver, pill, reflector, and emitter for maybe $35 or so. [Actually, both of those theoretical builds include Fujik]

Second — and I may have asked it before — is there a way to identify a P60 host? I’ll look at different lights/hosts and sometimes the review just casually mentions that it’s a P60. Is that just a situation where I have to just have it in my hand to know (or find someone who already has it), or is it distinguishable by something else? If I ask the vendor (like Fasttech or Wallbuys, etc), should they know?

Once my financial situation levels out again, I’m going to go into this a lot more full-bore. In the meantime, I may sneak a small purchase or two; complete lights probably. There are a couple I’ve got my eye on.

I don’t want to fail to mention how grateful I am for all the great responses. I’m loving the community here. You guys are awesome.

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if your not sure if a host is a p60, you could ask here and im sure someone will know for sure

you are better off buying a complete light, unless you already know exactly what you want and its not available. from there youll get an idea of what you want from a driver. driven harder, different modes, regulated, hi PWM… also, you may want a cooler or warmer led tint, different type of led. may want to change from an orange peel reflector to a smooth or vise versa….

that, and youll end up with spare LEDs, drivers, pills… you will have backups and spares if something goes wrong or you want to experiment with things. you will pay basically the same for an empty host as a cheap 502b with xml, way more in some cases… if you like the p60 format, you can step it up to a better host at anytime

my thinking on the subject, others may think different

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Yep, that is exactly what I was thinking. Backups, spare parts, testing, tweaking, personalizing. I’m drooling already.

I really want to get some P60 or zoomie next so I can compare the form factor to the C8. I really like the style of the C8 - the big reflector particularly. However, I think I’m going to like the more uniform width of one of the others better, and I may even like the functionality of a zoomie a lot. We’ll see.

ETA: Just started a new thread — it’s a list of P60 hosts. I think I included all the suggestions from this thread, but please feel free to add more, here. I think it would be valuable to others just getting started too.

UPDATE: I got my ebay C8 over the weekend. I have nothing to compare it to, but it looks good to me. The lens is glass, the reflector is plastic, and I’m not sure what the switch is rated at. I have yet to take everything out but only because I haven’t had the chance to pull out my little pliers and tweezers and such. I also haven’t found my 18650s yet, so I ordered some just before the weekend. They should be here in a couple days. I did try running the light with a 3X AAA setup, just to see it. Holding everything in two hands was a pain, but I saw a little action, so I guess it was worth it. Now I’ll wait for the batteries before any more playing. The glass lens seems a little rough to me so I ordered a new one. I want to push this light a little more (and choose the modes) so I ordered a driver (the 1750mA Nanjg). I don’t like the idea of a plastic reflector, and want to experiment between OP and smooth, so I ordered one of each of those. In other words, I’m spending more than I intended to a week ago, but I am doing a fine job of spreading it out. When it’s said and done, I think I’ll have a fine C8. Oh, and I promised to experiment with some baking techniques, so I’m going to start with that too. Man, I hope it doesn’t get too ugly. OK, maybe I’ll just start with the bezel.

Also, after getting my hands on it and playing with it some, I’m on the fence about the form factor. I’m just not sure I can make an appropriate holster that accepts that big head without putting the lens in danger. A P60 is likely in my future next. Just going to have to decide on my favorite host. Ideally, I would do the same thing I did here and get a complete light to screw up customize.

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Quick, mostly masturbatory update.

Some of the items were out of stock when fasttech went to ship, so I missed out on the reflectors I wanted. I did get one smooth one, but it is about .5mm shorter than I think it should be (donut-shaped hotspot). I also got the driver, the (AR) lens, and the o-ring to replace the one I accidentally baked.

So naturally, as soon as I got home, I plugged in the soldering iron and fiddled with disassembling the ebay C8. Took a bit of effort (and a third hand) to get the leads desoldered and soldered to the new driver. I didn’t get Fujik, so the thermal grease will just have to suffice. Got everything re-assembled and BAM! That sucker is serious.

I settled on 1750 mA as I didn’t want to go crazy with overdriving or anything like that yet. Just wanted to try my hand at things. Also, mode memory is everything I hoped it could be. I chose the Low(5)->Mid(30)->Hi(100%) setting because I just didn’t like blinkies and I’m not certain enough about the others yet. Ultimately, I would have learned to live with blinkies if I could have had mode memory. Next time, I may choose to go with just 1 or 2 mode, but 1 mode still seems like a real commitment.

The AR lens probably isn’t as good as an AR lens could be, but it is visibly more transparent than the original, so it stays. I may place a spacer under the reflector to make up that missing .5mm to see if it helps at all. I like the rest of the beam so much the donut doesn’t really bother me too much. We’ll see.

Long story short, I like the C8 more than expected. EDC will be a challenge with it because of the massive head, so it may not end up in that role, but it will be around for a while.

I’m working up a shopping list for my next purchase(s), but finances are really tight right now so the next light may be a little further away than I would like. Still, I have a couple ideas I’m refining for when I can pull the trigger. And I won a zoomie to play with in the meantime.

So, to shut myself up, I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who posted not only in this thread, but all over the forum because I love this place and you people are awesome!

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I`ve bought the same ebay C8 and want to modify it from 5 mode to 1 mode only. Is this possible?

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We want to see pictures or it didn't happen!!! Wink