BulkHead
Manufacturer:- http://darkgear.com/mrbulk/
Purchase Price :- $35 / £20 http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Size:- 35.31mm long 31.55mm Diameter at widest point.
Weight :- 1 1/4 oz. 36g
Reflector Type :- Plastic Drop in 'Mystery Reflector' But a Streamlight Tasklight 1Watt will fit.
Reflector Size :- 24mm Diameter
Lens Material :- Ultra Clear Coated Glass
Body Material :- Aluminium alloy with type III HA black anodising

AA Battery Tube
Manufacturer:- Otokoyama@verizon.net
Purchase Price :- $35 / £20 http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Size:- 116.8mm long 25.34mm Diameter at widest point.
Weight :- 2 5/8 oz. 74g
Battery Type / Qty :- 2off AA 1.2V Nicad or NiMh (Do Not Use non rechargeables)
Body Material :- Aluminium alloy with type III HA black anodising

Twisty Tailcap
Manufacturer:- Otokoyama@verizon.net
Purchase Price :- $35 / £20 http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Size:- 14.78mm long 25.46mm Diameter at widest point.
Weight :- 3 1/8 oz. 88g
Battery Type / Qty :- 1off CR123A (Surefire, Duracell, Panasonic or similar)
Body Material :- Aluminium alloy with type III HA black anodising

Halibut's Tailcap
Manufacturer:- CPF Member 'Halibut'
Purchase Price :- $35.50 / £20 http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Size:- 27.5mm long 25.5mm Diameter at widest point.
Weight :- 3 1/8 oz. 88g
Body Material :- Aluminium alloy with type III HA black anodising

I just got a complete new VIP with many of the available accessories :) Thanks to CPF member 'flashworm'.

I thought it would be a good idea to document these as well as they add tremendously to the utility of the light.

Bulkhead

This is a complete new head, reflector and lens assembly for the VIP light engine. As you can see from the pictures it makes the whole light look a lot more like a traditional flashlight in shape. What does this bigger head actually do? Well the larger reflector means that it is better at concentrating the light from the Luxeon into a more focused spot. So the light will throw a lot further than the standard optic or 17mm reflector.

The Bulk Head is machined in two half's that screw together. These are sealed with an O-ring to keep the dust and damp out. The Mr Bulk 'Mystery' reflector is simply dropped into the head assembly when separated. This seals against the UCL (Ultra Clear Lens) Coated glass lens which again seals onto the body of the light with an O-ring. It all fits together perfectly and the aluminium parts are anodised type III HA black. The reflector is part stippled near the Luxeon and the rest of it is smooth.

In use the Bulk Head gives a great tight central hotspot with a large overspill of much lower output. Quite a stunning improvement for such a small overall increase in size.

Highly recommended.

AA Battery Tube

This is a single machined aluminium tube for the VIP light. It allow the original CR123 tube to be replaced so that two rechargeable NiMh AA batteries can be used instead. The effect on the VIP is dramatic to say the least. With the light growing in length by about another 80%.

The tube is extremely well machined and the knurling and anodising matched the original VIP tube almost exactly. I placed the two tube next to each other an you can see a difference in the spacing of the knurled rings that travel down the length of the tube. They are fractionally further apart on the AA tube. Both the inside and outside of the tube are anodised type III HA. The only parts that are not are the two tapped ends on the tube to allow a good electrical connection to the head and tailcap.

It came with an excellent set of printed instructions from the maker Paul Yuenger, CPF member 'Otokoyama' These give details on the correct installation of the light assembly and warns you not to use the dimmer switch to rotate the assembly onto the tube. The other thing that are important to note are the type of batteries used in the AA tube. It is only designed for use with Rechargeable NiMh AA cells. This is because normal Alkaline or Lithium AA's have a higher nominal voltage that would probably damage the electronics in the VIP. So you have been warned!

Also a recommendation to lubricate the threads of the tube with Devcon Bulb Grease or CaiLube L260Cp see here http://www.caig.com/ Part No. L260-C12C. I have some grease for regulators and diving articles specially O-rings and rubber parts that I think is silicone so I used that instead.

So what is the light like with the tube fitted? Well it is very comfortable to hold and feels very secure in my bare hand. The design really does help the grip. Even with the Bulk Head fitted the light balances very well and does not feel top heavy, so to speak!

In use the light operates perfectly in high power and medium power modes. Low power mode is sometimes very very dim. Due to the lower voltage from the NiMh Cells. I found that turning from medium to low whilst turned on resulted in the super dim setting. But turning on in low would give normal operation. This is with relatively freshly charged cells though. I would imagine as the cells discharge that super dim output would be the norm. In this super low output mode is is possible to look at the Luxeon chip with the naked eye. Not something I would recommend in any of the other output settings! I don't see this as a problem as with the AA tube fitted I would mostly be in medium and high power modes anyway. I have my other VIP and twisty for low power use :)

Twisty Tailcap

This is yet another Paul Yuenger creation! I am looking forward to his next projects, whatever they end up being!

The twisty is a replacement tailcap for the VIP along with a foam 'Donut' to give an alternative and shorter switching mechanism.

The foam 'Donut' is placed on the electronics assembly and provides the necessary spring in the system to give good switch operation. The tailcap simply screws into the base of the light replacing the existing 'king crown'. This results in a shorter light and as the tailcap has a tapped 1/4 20 thread allows attachments to be added such as a lanyard or tripod.

Operation is simple. Just turn the twisty until the light comes on. Do not over tighten as this could damage the electronics PCB.

Again it is recommended to lubricate the threads. See above for more info.

I like the design and the operation of the twisty. It works well and shortens the standard VIP by 5/8" or 15.88mm which makes it easier to carry. Also it makes the light aircraft friendly as the existing VIP 'King Crown' Design could be seen as a potential impact device. I may get a lanyard adapter and an auto retractor when carrying the light outside. Hmmm time to go shopping :) see here http://www.gearkeeper.com

Halibut's Tailcap

This is a replacement tailcap design for those people who want to use the Kroll Clicky but who do not like or cannot use the standard 'King Crown' design.

It was designed and produced by CPF member 'Halibut' and is provided as a single aluminium part in anodised in type HA III black. This means you have to provide your own Kroll and O-ring. Various sizes of O-ring have been discussed and I have to admit that I have not bought my own as I simply nicked the one off the standard tailcap. But for those wanting one the following sandwich Shoppe one does fit. See here for the Kroll and O-Rings :- Kroll and O-Ring

In use the design guards the Kroll effectively and still allows good feel and operation with the top of your thumb. It retains the ability to stand on end in candle mode.

Fit and finish are excellent and the HA finish matches the VIP one perfectly.

All in all yet another excellent add on to what is turning into my favourite light at the moment.

All I need now is the Big Bulk Head and I think the set will be complete!

These add on have all come from CPF members, who are making the VIP one of the most accessorised lights ever made. I am looking forward to any future developments with interest.

www.candlepowerforums.com One of the best forums of any kind on the net. Lots of reviews, opinions and help for the novice to the expert on anything relating to illumination products.

I think some other members of CPF have also had these lights and add ON's for sale. So look round for them.

UK Cheap 123A Batteries

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