Petzl Duo modules and Mining Lamp modules

I?m building some retrofit modules for both Petzl Duos and for mining lamps headset (oldhams, ceag inc speleotechnics etc). Some of you will have seen the prototypes that have been floating around for a while.

The range of mining lamp modules (CustomPITLAMP) starts at ?26 for simple units. The module pictured below incorporates the latest very efficient Cree XPG R5 LED technology, has 3 simple power levels, 2 independent regulated driver circuits and has plenty of aluminium to best effect cooling in something that was not originally designed for high power LEDs. This module can produce around 330 lumens full tilt and will set you back less than ?50 with efficiency in excess of 100 lumens/ watt. Again, these are easily fitted using the rubber seal from the existing reflector.

330 lumen, 3 power XPG module


220 lumen, 2 power Cree Q5 module fitted


The Petzl Duo modules (CustomDUO) work with existing 14 LED petzl arrays (as these are really quite good). The range includes a simple spot module, or a combined flood and spot module. They use Cree Q5 LEDs, have 1 or 2 power levels and can provide up to 280 lumens.  They are constructed from aluminium and are easily fitted without modification to existing bulb fittings. There is also a side module if you don?t happen to have a 14 LED Petzl array. Modules cost from ?18

Simple spot module


280 lumen, 2 power level flood and spot module


Side module 


Fitted with 14 led petzl array


Fitted with side module


More detailed information (and online shop) for both the CustomDUO and CustomPITLAMP modules can be found at www.customduo.co.uk. It would be appreciated if you could spread the word.
Thanks
Bif

Heya,

I have the CustomDUO single LED primary module fitted with my 8 LED DUO and its super! Itr only has one setting, but it is a really bright light which I can now cave on all the time, with my LED's as an alternative.

Biff is great also, as he talked through the different options with me and fitted the new module in my light. We worked out that this module was the best for me.

When Biff comes back from America hunt him out to see these modules in the flesh!

So has anyone yet compared Biff's Customduo or CustomPitlamp with Potholers Duo led conversion  or Bisun?

Without having compared them, I think I could probably say fairly safely that for the Duo units, brightness and beamshape seem likely to be pretty indistinguishable, since I think we're both using the same type and efficiency of LED with the same optic at effectively the same power level.

There might be differences in the electronics we use which affect overall efficiency and runtime, but even without knowing exactly what he's using (I haven't seen him for a couple of months) given the range of likely-possible electronics, even if there might be some differences in full-power runtime and precisely how the light declines when batteries flatten, I doubt any differences on that score would be overwhelming.

That is, even if one light lasted a little longer than the other on a given set of cells, the difference wouldn't be enough for someone using one unit to not bother carrying spare cells for a given length of trip compared to someone with the other, or for someone expecting a particularly long trip to carry different numbers of sets of spares depending which unit they were using.

Although I don't actually own one of these, I have been caving with 2 guys who have got them and they are pretty darn good.

Recently obtained basic version for my Duo, brilliant ! (no pun intended  :

Sorry chaps (and Dave Potholer) ...... didn't mean to start a product war!

I am a firm supporter of Potholers Duo conversion.

A lot of the Guys in my club are firm supporters of the Bisun.

I am a complete techno-peon when it comes to electronics and tecchiie stuff and I was interested to read that Biff has or is developing similar stuff that's not gonna cost us ?500 to get a decent lighting system either on our helmets or otherwise

Let me know your comparative thoughts etc

Paul C

Comparisons between my lights and biff's (good or bad, either way) might be better in a different thread.

Even saying what I said above, which wasn't exactly  saying much, I do feel like I'm kind-of trespassing in his announcement thread, and he is a mate.

Ok

Sorry chaps

just interested in any comparisons that's all

neither of you cost ?350

Paul C

Have added 'Little General' lamp to range
http://customduo.co.uk/LittleGeneral.aspx.



Aluminium dive proof lamp that will run off anything 3.6 - 6.0 volts, eg. petzl battery box with flat pack, AAs etc, petzl Duo box, speleo technics headlite batteries, etc, etc.
Its ?110 (?15 less than a Little Monkey) and might work out more cost effective than a pit lamp conversion if you don't have an oldham/ ceag headset already. 

that link should be

http://customduo.co.uk/LittleGeneral.aspx

*How* much for a Little Monkey, lad?

You been seriously undercutting retailers? 

He's referring to battery-less prices.

I know...