FW3A, a TLF/BLF EDC flashlight - SST-20 available, coupon codes public

Please add me to the FW3A list. Thanks! Charlie

Welcome to BLF!

Hard to say max output and max long term output.

For the Q8 we kept on saying 4K lumens , we wrote 5K in the text for BG listing, yet with right cells it does more.

Here the same, for now we say 2500 lumens max but we do expect it to be a bit higher
Long sustained output, we can say more when more testing is done.

Thanks. I like what you all are doing here.

Glad to hear the news about the manufacturing! This will be a cool light!

Thanks.
Yeah a cool little hot running light :wink: but Narsil is very useful in finding a brightness level that does not overheat things :slight_smile:

Please add me to the interest list, this is the first BLF light that might knock my modded EE A6 out of the running for my main EDC.

I should have posted a link here years ago when he first wrote that.

I still have his mailing address, got something good you would like me to forward to him? :slight_smile:

Is there a chance that some of the new cool features of Toykeepers D4 firmware, e.g.

- default 100% of the 7135 at power up

are build in the FW3A?

Speaking about the UI and Narsil, i only recently experienced it with the Emisar D4 and have a few issues with it. I understand the D4 uses a stripped down version with ramping only and no other mode groups to chose from.

from:

Maybe there is a better place to discuss Narsil?

Narsil, latest iteration is NarsilM, has a thread:

Im nearly 100% positive that the regular Narsil M does just what you say. From off press and hold-ramp to some med output(leave on at least 1/2 sec)-click off(output memorized). Long press- to moon -click off. Quick click- back to the med output memorized mode. Double click from any mode except turbo- Turbo- click off. Quick click on-back to memorized mode.

After you've set the memorized mode, if you press and hold from off to get moonlight, you have to be sure to let go while at the lowest output, so pretty much you have to let go as soon as you see light or it will reset the memorized mode. This is with NarsilM.

Well yes Narsil needs some tweaking for this small light and modes for the 7135 chips are high on my wish list for sure

Please add me to the list. Thank you.

Welcome to BLF!
Yes will update list later :slight_smile:

Depends, but I’m guessing probably yes.

If I recall correctly, Tom already implemented those memory suggestions. However, I’m not aware of any features to limit maximum output.

I’ve been pondering how to configure the lowest level; maybe I could also make something to configure the highest level. I’m doing a somewhat different interface though… instead of pre-defined mode groups, the user sets the number of modes and the brightness of the lowest mode. Perhaps they could also set the brightness of the highest mode. Afterward, the discrete ramping then has the selected number of evenly-spaced steps between the endpoints.

The upside here is that it’s simple, flexible, and always evenly-spaced. However, the downside is that it would be unlikely that any discrete levels would hit either of the sweet spots with a 7135 channel maxed out.

I’m also hoping to make it relatively easy to switch between smooth and discrete ramping, without a trip through config mode.

Just some thoughts for now. It’ll be more concrete later.

You’re being too hard on us TK! Give us a break! :stuck_out_tongue:

Ahh, I wrote both versions, but TK took over the D4. Not sure why a 100% of the 7135 is a nice feature for power up default - never thought of it, but it's easy to do in NarsilM, in fact I think I have something similar as a compile switch option, but it might go to max or something - think Lexel requested it. I "think" NarsilM is still more advanced, but not familiar with TK's mods.

NarsilM v1.1 will be made public soon, and it also has some new features, mostly intended for the GT buck driver, but two main feature additions:

  • has a momentary/tactical mode, accessible by 5 quick clicks (sorry, 2-4 were already taken)
  • the ramping can max out below the max/turbo level, so you can make ramping's max 80% for example, but the double-click to turbo will still be 100%.

For ramping, I think the 150 levels at 16 msecs each takes a bit long. Been experimenting with 120 or 135 entries.

150 = 2.4 secs

135 = 2.16 secs

120 = 1.92 secs

It actually takes a little longer, because there's a pause at moon level.

Also, not sure if many are aware of it, but NarsilM v1.0 will be in the launched Q8, and it also has a "Restore Factory Defaults" command.

For the FW3A, I assume it will be at least NarsilM v1.1, but if the D4 firmware is preferred, no problem there. Might be a merge up and coming, or new versions TK is working on. We still have inherent limitations in the ATTiny85 MCU, so would still like to pursue using an ATMEL with more memory (16 KB) and more I/O pins, that also comes in a smaller package - lot of advantages...

It's all a matter of time mostly - when the D4 is productionized, who's got time for the further development, etc.

I have a completely unrelated question. I was thinking of using a drilled optic that holds tritium vials. Is that a bad idea based on the heat this light will likely generate? Perhaps if I limit the max level?

@Tom
It doesn’t sound slow if it ramps in 3 sec.

I think there are situations where it should not be super fast:

- if you got straight out off the bed and you want to use moonlight

- if you’re drunk

- if you have taken medicine

  • if you’re a bit older

I think you are very used to Narsil, so you have an advantage.
:slight_smile:

Well with mode memory the lamp remembers the last level. But the User doesn’t. After 10 I don’t know any more where the brightnesd of a light was.

So you can reset it to a usefull level.

And if you than switch it on you have 150lm

It’s like setup your gear ready to go.
It’s like your car in your garage with a full gas tank.

It’s one klick for ON instead of ramping