What about a thread/sticky with all the dimensions on lights as we get them or ones we have?

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

Here's the thought. If I knew dimensions of a light ahead of time, I would be better able to know if it's one I can or want mod. Is the reflector size one I can adapt something into? What is the lens size, barrel length (for other battery options)? Etc, Etc, Etc. I would really love to see a thread with these kinds of dimensions already written down.

There could be a format set up, with the dimensions needed and as people with calipers got lights (or did the ones they already own), we could have a source of modding possibilities.

I have a 2D mag at home and I'm getting a digital caliper in the next few days. I would put that one in, after I do all the dimensions.

What do y'all think about this. Would you want to help contribute? If you want me to take the raw data and put it into a consolidated format, I would be willing. (I say that untill I get 500 lights worth of dimensions sent to me).

Do we want "all lights", or only certain lights? If only certain ones, I could see that as a problem, as anyone might mod anything, so I guess all lights we can get our hands on would be best?

This could be too much to handle..., but I do see a need for it.

Dimensions I can think of right at hand:

  • OAL of light
  • Bezel OD
  • Bezel ID
  • Lens Diameter
  • Head OD (major OD)
  • Head OAL
  • Head ID (reflector opening)
  • Head depth (reflector opening)
  • Head ID (heatsink area, if applicable)
  • Many heads are stepped, from a major ID to a smaller ID, we would need to know the smaller ID (normally Thread to body ID is the same)
  • Reflector OD
  • Reflector Length
  • Body Length
  • Body OD
  • Body ID
  • Tail cap (what type of switch and size?)

I see a lot of different tail caps, so how do we determine style and measurements?

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This is only an idea. Shoot it down if you wish, or help with more thoughts on it.

Is it worth doing at all? Or is the market too fast to change, to do any good?

I know for sure I would like all the dimensions for every size MagLite here, since they get modded so much.

If I had known all the dimensions of the SAiK I modded, I wouldn't have tried it, because nothing fit. I would have gone with something with closer dimensions to existing available components.

2

I think it is a great idea and would find it very useful - but...I am unlikely to do them all at once (not that I'd have to I guess).

Maybe that could be added to the review template? Then anybody could copy/paste to a dimensions thread...

I would guess less than half of us have calipers though...

3

Great idea as I am constantly sizing lights up on the various sites to see what dimensions will accommodate different battery configs, etc. I would also like to add the weight of torches since this can often be used to estimate quality i.e. heavier lights of the same dimensions being stronger.

4

Wow, that's a great idea of having it added to the Review Template! I think that's the way to go.

5

+1000 on adding it to the review template. And then collated in a dedicated dimension thread.

6

Certainly an excellent idea IMHO.

I too check over all available dimensions for every light I consider. Mods are always in my head.

Won't know how many are willing and able to add to the dimension database until its going. The popular ones will get done even if its slow. LaserPointerForums would love it as well I'm sure.