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

I like the original shape (that tapered design, can’t get used to it), but the blasted look of the latest sample.

Several times now I have headed out to the lathe to build a light, with the internal components in hand and no design cues in mind at all. Start out making the tail switch fit into a bar stock and then machine a copper light engine to hold the driver and emitter/s of choice. Then put the pieces together and shape the outside to whatever feels right. It’s odd maybe, but doing it that way the design takes it’s own shape on-the-fly and has produced some really neat and interesting results. Like making the battery tube fit my fingers in the grip I like to use, then seeing it resembled to spools of thread stacked on top of each other. I like machining it after it’s assembled because it makes the two pieces seem as one, even a transition between copper and aluminum the metal seems to be one piece that abruptly changes colors. I like that, it amazes me. (I’m easily amazed, true enough)

So it’s not that I don’t like the ramp on the tube, it’s just that I was drawn to Fritz’s primary design to begin with. It was more Raw, elemental, form following function. And so it goes, it’s never-ending…. :wink:

Yeah, agreed.

From TLF regarding the design:

Nice Moonlight!

I don’t know how long a quick burst is yet, and don’t know how the thermal regulation will behave yet, because I haven’t measured it yet or adjusted the code to fit.

I can probably trim the chip’s wide tab down to fit.

… a few moments later …

Yeah, okay, it wasn’t the 7135 tab. The driver has a notch on one side, and so does the host. It just wasn’t rotated the right way. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

While I had it apart, I also fixed debouncing. It seems to work 100% so far.

The Devil is in the details… :wink:

I’d like to throw in a vote of support for both the blasted finish and the tapered tube.

Really wished the prototype could have come with the XPG3 emitters that were planned so we could see what the tint/beam would look like.
Maybe the next round or someone could swap some in?

Is that where he’s been hiding?

I swear, that guy must have a spidey sense or something. He’s way too good at avoiding me.



I was disappointed too. I was hoping we could settle the emitter type issue, but it remains unresolved.

I was amazed by the initial design as well.

I don’t have any argument on latest design, it’s great, but it’s just different from the initial one.
Wishing that I can get the light as initial design which is already in my mind.

Haven’t checked this thread in a while. I think I prefer the tapered shape because I expect it to slide in and out of a pocket more easily. I do really appreciate the looks of the original, but I’m very much in the form follows function camp and it looks like the new form will function better. I liked the polished look better, but I use lights when it’s dark, so that’s not a priority.

I’m really glad to see that ToyKeeper is working on the firmware. Just using Narsil seemed like a good enough plan to me, but TK working out all the kinks should make it free of annoying glitches and well-tuned for the hardware. Thanks, TK!

I still think it needs more Niciha. As more XP-G3 beamshots in various optics show up, I think that more than ever. The XP-G3 always seems to make a beam that looks like a bruise. Yes, I can do that myself, but not everyone can, and it adds 40% to the cost.

As for what the final beam will look like, has anybody built a Convoy triple with these and a 10507? That should produce an essentially identical beam.

For what it’s worth, I love the new look and if anyone would like to give up their slots I’d gladly take it, I’d like a total of 3-4 of these,

There aren’t a limited number of slots as far as I can tell. If you want more, sign up for more.

I’ll probably still buy the 3-4 of these I signed up for regardless of minor changes, emitters, optics, etc… as long as the original concept remains intact, as I can change emitters and optics myself. I’d buy these as host+driver with no emitters or optics too.

I probably wouldn’t recommend it to others not inclined to modification with the XP-G3 though.

Please add me to the interest list for two!

I agree with this point and ultimately will buy a couple whatever the configuration (even a mixed up version). The small size, power and excellent UI will make this a light that other companies should take notice of.

We’ve been lucky to have high performing lights recently available and this one oughta go to the head of the pack once it’s in production. Thanks fritz15 for your design and I hope they’ll make a light that satisfies you and your vision.

I prefer the new design! :+1:

Played with a triple XP-G3 I got from RobertB/CaptRon25 today with a couple of different optics. It was taken from a Wuben T046R with a claimed CRI of 90. Turned out it wasn’t high CRI, but the more interesting thing for me was the tint shift and beam as a triple.

Here’s the results using a heavily frosted Carclo triple optics with pretty much no visible hotspot and very low apparent output. The result is not bad at all.

Here it is with an almost clear, very slightly frosted with a much worse results. Even though the shift direction change near the hotspot is not as apparent, the overall tint is very unpleasant, cool and purple at 7000K and duv of –0.004. It is also very noticeably green towards the spill.

I still think the FW03 should be made with Nichias or at least the choice of optics and its setting must be very carefully optimized.