New ZipLight LED Option

Relic Raider · Post by **Relic Raider** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:43 am

This is an Ultra bright white LED that I make now available as an option in my modified ZipLight inserts. Light output, per the LED manufacturer, is at least 90k mcd, which makes this LED five times brighter than my standard 18k mcd super-bright white LED. This 10 mm LED produces a narrow spot beam of ca 12 degree (ca 2 feet diameter at 10 feet distance), surrounded by considerably weaker peripheral stray light. This is the brightest 10 mm LED I have seen to date. It's perfect for peeking into dark areas and confined spaces, for signaling and for long range. Due to the narrow beam this LED is not ideal for finding your way in the dark. For that and general use I do recommend the 18k mcd LED, which has a much wider 30 degree beam. You can find more info on my site.

Cheers,
-Relic Raider

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 5:01 am

I just received mine yesterday, folks, this baby is BRIGHT! I compared them both side by side in a completely dark room. Like Relic Raider said the new one is definitely a bright spot light, but I think it would work well for snooping around in a tunnel/cave if necessary. Although after using it, and then switching to the 18k, you can really see how the 18k illuminates the whole room.

Like I said though, to me, the new spot also has decent stray light to still be useful as a general user. My advice- get 'em both!

Thanks, Relic Raider!

TR

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 10:49 am

I have one too, and the light is WONDERFUL!!

Another homerun, RR!!

High regards! Michaelson

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:29 am

I'm still loving the ziplight I have, even though it's now the second brightest star in the sky.

It's always in my bag.

Post by **Dalexs** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:32 pm

Can the LED be swapped out with the current LED in the ziplights or is there anything else (power supply) that needs swapping?

I can see this being very useful snooping around the bowels of the QM!
(especially when everyone leaves you behind and closes the door!)

Dalexs

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:33 pm

You're NEVER going to let me live that down, ARE you?!

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Dalexs** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:39 pm

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:39 pm

Regard! Michaelson

Relic Raider · Post by **Relic Raider** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:20 pm

Dalexs wrote:Can the LED be swapped out with the current LED in the ziplights or is there anything else (power supply) that needs swapping?

I can see this being very useful snooping around the bowels of the QM!
(especially when everyone leaves you behind and closes the door!)

Dalexs

I'd have to remove the currently installed LED, unsolder two connections, hack open the casing of the ZipLight, glue the larger LED in place and solder two connections. The power source is identical, so that can remain untouched. After that operation there is no way of going back to the previously installed LED.

Why do you want to swap it out? For general use the 18k mcd LED is more useful. The spot LED is not an upgrade, it's another, more specialized option for different applications.

Cheers,
-Relic Raider

Relic Raider · Post by **Relic Raider** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:26 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote:I'm still loving the ziplight I have, even though it's now the second brightest star in the sky. It's always in my bag.

At least you won't be tripping over your own feet in the dark. Don't worry, I'm still using the 18k mcd LED in my own ZipLight.

Cheers,
-Relic Raider

Kodiak · Post by **Kodiak** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 8:45 pm

Can I possibly buy a ziplight and a regular lighter and be able to interchange them? I like the idea of being able to travel with the ziplight in my pocket and a regular lighter cannister so I can fill it up when I land.

Just wondered,
-Kodiak

Post by **Dalexs** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:31 pm

Michaelson wrote:

OK I forgive you!

Relic Raider wrote:
Why do you want to swap it out? For general use the 18k mcd LED is more useful. The spot LED is not an upgrade, it's another, more specialized option for different applications.

Cheers,
-Relic Raider

I just thought it might be an easy enough operation to just swap the leds out. It sounds like its a bit more then that.
I may just pick up a new insert for one of my other lighters.
It'd be nice to have the option.

Now if you can make a focusable led beam, then you'd really have something there!

Dalexs

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 10:02 pm

What's the battery life and price on this unit?
Is it a white or blue in its color tone?

Relic Raider · Post by **Relic Raider** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:25 am

Battery life should be the same, because this LED is also rated in the 25-30 mA range. The white color of the larger spot LED, compared to the smaller white LED, may be a bit more towards a bluish hue. Color temperature may be affected by condition of the battery and ambient temperature. These LEDs are made by different manufacturers. Both are within what passes as "white."

Cost is the same. $16 with new batteries, shipped (USA).

Cheers,
-Relic Raider

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:28 am

Kodiak wrote:Can I possibly buy a ziplight and a regular lighter and be able to interchange them? I like the idea of being able to travel with the ziplight in my pocket and a regular lighter cannister so I can fill it up when I land.

Just wondered,
-Kodiak

Yes - I do just that. I've got the ziplight, ziplaser, and the regular lighter. But now that I've had them a while, I'm wondering why I didn't just buy more zippos instead of swapping them...sigh. Hey, at least that's an excuse to buy the monogrammed one, the black one, the...

(One note of caution - the regular lighter shouldn't be yanked out when recently filled, you'll leak lighter fluid everywhere...and while it's out, if you don't pop it in something like a ziploc (no pun) bag, the fluid will evaporate QUICKLY.)

J

Relic Raider · Post by **Relic Raider** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 6:29 am

Dalexs wrote: I just thought it might be an easy enough operation to just swap the leds out. It sounds like its a bit more then that.
I may just pick up a new insert for one of my other lighters.
It'd be nice to have the option.

Now if you can make a focusable led beam, then you'd really have something there!

Dalexs

All 5 mm LEDs are easily exchanged against other 5 mm LEDs, as long as they require the same voltage. For example, you can swap a white 5 mm LED for a blue-green one. No soldering is required and it takes maybe a minute or two. Converting a ZipLight that contains a 5 mm LED to a 10 mm LED is do-able, but I advise against it. That mod will take essentially as much time as converting a ZipLight from scratch. Going from a ZipLight with a 10 mm LED to a 5 mm LED is not possible without doing a real hack job.

Speaking of focusable LEDs, while focusable diode modules do exist, they will not fit in a ZipLight due to their size. That type module would work well in a pencil type flashlight.

Cheers,
-Relic Raider

PS. Indiana Jerry, thanks for fielding the answer to Kodiak's question that I had overlooked!

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:18 am

Relic Raider wrote:thanks for fielding the answer to Kodiak's question

Hey, I figured I was emminently (or at least evidently) qualified to answer THAT one...

Post by **Dalexs** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:22 pm

Indiana Jerry wrote:...I've got the ziplight, ziplaser, and the regular lighter.

J

Its' no wonder you have so many problems going thru airport security!

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 6:02 pm

Dalexs wrote:
Indiana Jerry wrote:...I've got the ziplight, ziplaser, and the regular lighter.

J
Its' no wonder you have so many problems going thru airport security!

Surprisingly, it's usually the 'zipper' that is the problem. Oh, that and I sometimes try the trick from Spinal Tap...