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

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.

Thanks, yeah I’m not fancying the XP-G3 option.

Maukka, do you have a 10507 optic to try?

Why not XP-L2 which is newer and more efficient instead of XP-G3?

Please sign me up for 2.

Thanks,

Martin

I wonder if dome slicing eliminates the tint shift on the XP-G3s. I read it works for the XHP50.2. Might be a simple mod for people who don’t fancy swapping emitters.

I know its a cost thing, but XP-L 4000k (the A or D version) is a real winner.

XP-L HI usually looks pretty nice under TIR optics like this; good output without much tint shift. It would probably add at least $10 to the price though, since the emitters cost twice as much.

I did a lot of preliminary experimentation on the XP-G3 when it first came out, with MEM helping point the way. I was never impressed with it and won’t use it. The XP-L2, while impressive, is questionable as to whether it fits under the Carclo optic or not, it’s a tight fit and can lead to separation of the dome and inverted die face which would just be troublesome in the long run.

XP-L HI or Nichia 219C are excellent choices under these optics, as are the XP-G2 emitters in nice tint’s.

The difficult to source XP-L W2 fits under the optics but as I said, it’s not reliably sourced. The 3 XP-L “V6” 2D in my Sofirn C8F appear to be the W2 variant, with smaller flats on the side of the dome than the typical V6, this is what allows the W2 to fit the optic. So, if the source for Sofirn’s choice of emitter could be reliably located I’d highly recommend it, I’ve seen the W2 produce 2018 lumens in a single emitter single cell light. Should be quite nice in this one. My Sofirn triple with an aluminum triple reflector is making 4378 lumens. Just sayin…

Hi,

Today I had another look at the prototype. To be precise, I baked it in the oven at 150 degree C to loosen up the glue in the tailcap and to have a closer look at the switch assembly.

But first let’s start out with a few pictures of the light:

Somehow the design is growing on me, but we have not decided yet if we will keep it like this or change it.
To repeat myself, I am very pleased with the prototype. It’s not entirely the light we want yet but already quite close and the things which need to be changed are details.

But let’s have a closer look at the switch assembly. To get straight to the point, I am very pleased with the switch and my expectations have been exceeded.

Here a picture of all the parts:

LT implemented my design nicely and even improved it. They added a small o-ring to prevent the inner tube from rattling when changing the battery and to provide a tighter fit.

Another detail, there is a small plastic pin in the rubber sealing to improve the feel of the switch.

If you’re not fond of the metal switch or want the switch to be more easily reachable, that’s not a problem either. The light is constructed to support standard 14mm silicon caps.

The quality of the clip is great. Often you can see marks from cutting out the material. Here the edges are nicely rounded and polished.

I hope you like what you see so far and if you have other questions I am happy to answer.

Looks fantastic!!! I love this new version! :+1: :sunglasses:

+1,000,000,000

I like the silocone button. I hope it doesn’t come glued so I can do that to mine…

No hole for a lanyard ? I usually put a split ring with a carabiner and hang it off a belt loop for work.
I wouldn’t trust just a pocket clip. To afraid it would slip out and I’d lose it. Not a deal breaker though.
Looks nice.

I was not stuck on the 1st idea of the light, despite I like some aspects on it, namely that “shine” it has!
But as some said above, this design is growing on me! I see me attaching the flashlight in a pocket much better on this version, as it seems to “slide” more easily than the “1st version” (on post #1).
I hope the tail clicky is “ninja style”: smooth, silent and effective to operate the light nicely!

I’m sure Fritz and the team, and Lumintop still has some work to do, but this is getting a nice shape! :blush:

Though, I dare to ask about an aspect that is being talked in previous posts: is there a final decision on the emitters, or is this a open case yet, like the final shape of the light?

Thanks for you nice work and keep it up to bring this light to our hands :wink:

I still like the original version and this one, one of each please!

It’s a looker alright, sophisticated but still rugged looking, I really like the finish, it would be nice if the head knurling matched the tail cap knurling, balance the look better. I can just hear it now though… :cry:

Looks like a split ring would fit nicely through the hole in the clip, and the clip is captive, so quite secure.

There are two places to attach a lanyard — the front of the clip and the back of the clip.

About the finish, I think the plan is to make the final finish have more of a bare-metal shine, similar to the “clear” Convoy lights. Enough anodizing to help protect the surface, but not enough to change its color.

The shape and the emitters aren’t finalized.

The tail clicky isn’t a clicky; it’s an e-switch. It’s not ninja-style, it’s a little louder than most e-switches, but it’s still quieter than most “clicky” switches. The sound can probably also be reduced by replacing the button with a rubber one as Fritz showed.

I don’t expect this to be available for purchase for at least two or three months, though that’s only a guess. Probably not until after CNY / Spring Festival, which falls in mid-February this year. There should be at least one more round of prototypes before release, and that takes a while.

Thanks for opening the light up and showing us, that’s great!
I still think the prototype is going from a combination of a slender feminine look at the head with the smooth lines to a masculine blocky angular look at the tail end. I really hope the final version turns out to one or the other symmetrically.