Looks great, would it be possible as an option to exclude mcpcb/emitters for $8-10 less? Perhaps for a limited first run batch since many of us on TLF/BLF are so particular with our choice of color temp/cri/output/etcā¦
Host or without LEDs mean deviation from the rest, complexity.
Probably even higher cost for not making one inline with the rest.
We know how hard it can be to get hosts from not that big companies who suffer less when not making a complete light, even the likes of Jaxman are not keen for it.
As with the Q8 and GT we aim for a complete light with unique features
Swapping LEDs is for owners for as said, the individual taste of each is very hard to take into account for a larger production while ideal to furfil when reflowing oneself.
So for the grpupbiy LEDs in a nice average in terms of all the tints available seem best.
The driver, emitters and switch are the most significant differences.
The FW3A uses a FET driver with regulated channels for the lower modes. The highest modes are unregulated with a FET driver; the emitters get as much current as their forward voltage and the batteryās internal resistance will allow. With some LEDs, this can be quite a lot (15A or more). The E2L uses linear regulators on all modes and limits current to about 2.8A on max.
The FW3A uses the XP-G3 emitter, which is more efficient than the XP-G2 used in the E2L and requires less voltage. Combined with a FET driver, requiring less voltage means it will use more current on max, generating much more light, at least until it overheats and thermal throttles.
The E2L uses a mechanical switch that interrupts current from the battery, while the FW3A uses an electronic switch that sends a signal to the driver. An E-switch has some advantages:
Itās shorter. A mechanical switch adds about 20mm to the length.
Itās more reliable in a high-current application. Iāve burned out a few switches building FET triples.
It has less resistance, making the light brighter in a direct-drive application like this one.
Itās possible to have shortcuts from off to several different modes by different actions like short-press, long-press, double-click. Itās common to have shortcuts to high, low and last-used.