Shortly speaking: H03 + red XPE-E2 + Narsil driver + optional shorty mod. Is this possible to make?
Swapping the emitter for a Cree Red XP-E2 on 16mm MTN MCPCB will be no problem, however the led can take no more than 2.2A so I have no idea what 21mm driver to choose. The Narsil UI seems perfect but what about the maximum of 2.2A?
OK, I’m interested in knowing what can be done to reduce H03 weight.
I’d like to compete with those plastic Petzls as close as possible on weight while still using 18700 cell on longer trips (18350 on shorter is OK).
I want to get down to the 1g of what is possible with my skills. Which means that if I can score a couple of 0.x g savings that’s still nice. I might even do smaller ones if doing stuff that way basically costs me no extra money or extra work.
I did some categorization….which is my estimation really, might be wrong.
Large savings > 10g
shorty tube
2-strap headband
2. Small savings > 1g
is there a lighter 3-strap headband that’s worth recommending?
replace the top strap with a narrower one
shorten the straps to whatever is needed
remove magnet
replace MCPCB with aluminium one, trimmed down. Would it be wrong to make it much smaller, like 10 mm?
remove the Stainless Steel parts (front and side switch bezels and screws) and glue optics and switch boot.
(H03F only) remove the flip diffuser lens lid and file off the hinge and use TIR optic.
machine (lathe) the battery tube to remove knurling (and de-anodize everything (except maybe the tail cap threads) to match the resulting bare aluminium batt. tube)
shorten threaded sections of top battery tube and head by 2 or 3mm (and use unprotected 18650).
Remove the Stainless Steel parts (front and side switch bezels and screws) and glue optics and switch boot.
Or if you have a H03F: remove the flip diffuser lens lid and file off the hinge and use TIR optic.
Machine (lathe) the battery tube to remove knurdling. (and de-anodize everything (except maybe the tail cap threads) to match the resulting bare aluminium batt. tube)
Shorten threaded sections of top battery tube and head by 2 or 3mm (and use unprotected 18650).
Ugly but effective: Remove cooling fins.
I have an original Skilhunt aluminium XM-L LED board i can send you.
Or get a Virence board with 4x Nichia E21.
Thanks, I added your suggestions.
I have some alu MCPCBs from Led4Power, they would be adequate with LH351D.
Another thought, maybe wrong: de-anodize head-side threads and shorten the ones on battery tube. This would maintain the light’s length (and 18700 compatibility - which is critical because I want to use Folomov battery-powerbanks) but save some material…
Would a custom headstrap that has no rubber and holds the light with velcro and weigh less?
A shorty H03 is lightweight for 18350 and has all the other qualities of H03.
I believe there is just no shorter, lighter headlamp that would compete in this niche.