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

As for the poll, there are 54 votes so far and it seems smooth ramp has a clear lead. The 3-mode clicky option has been consistently in last place. The other three options keep trading places in the middle. Perhaps I should start on a smooth-ramp muggle mode soon.

It also sounds (from discussion only) like most people prefer 6 clicks to exit, rather than disconnecting power. That’ll take a little extra space, but it should be doable.

That’s interesting, I had assumed that the main current path was through the outer tube, and only the tail-switch signalling via the inner tube.

Does the driver maintain the ultra-low parasitic drain of e.g. the Q8, or has e.g. the voltage divider returned ?

I presume that the cell loads by removing the head, rather than the tail ?

A brief technical description would be of interest.

Thanks.

I’ve been following the poll, and it is polarised :smiley: If there has to be a muggle mode, then yes please, 6 clicks on, 6 clicks off, but please make them very rapid (should not be a problem with an e-switch).

How tactile or bouncy is it ?

That is correct.

Same parasitic drain as Q8. Estimated standby time is longer than a cell can hold a charge. It is possible to change the battery without rebooting the light, because the standby power is so low.

Thank you, it’s all good (actually better than that). Very excited about this one.

Edit: no true lockout (take out the cell if it worries you), but the switch communication can be locked out to save any pocket incidents. Soft lockout in standby will last forever, and will be stable as long as the switch communication is also locked out. I am happy with this, and trust that the firmware will behave nicely and default to “off” in the absence of communication with the switch, though I’m not sure how that is possible without a couple of tiny hardware (and/or MCU pin programming) changes so firmware can tell whether the switch is actually present, or locked out.

Maybe over-thinking this.

Put me for another one, two in total.

Er, when the tube is loosened, it breaks electrical contact with both power and the e-switch. Mechanical lockout works without removing the cell.

That’s good as long as the anodising lasts on the critical interfaces. It had better be good. (It doesn’t last, even the best).

And when it is gone, where will we be ? I think no big issues, just lack of true lockout which doesn’t bother me.

I can’t get my head around how precise the tube lengths, and assembly of other parts, would have to be if they are indeed sufficiently anodised to make no electrical contact anywhere but at the contact faces with the driver and the switch.

Perhaps I have mis-understood, or maybe the designer could chip in here as to how it is supposed to work…

Could someone please tell me if the first list for this GB has already been done and delivered.
I haven’t been paying attention of course, my numbers where, 2 T18: 399, 439
I saw a mention of a second batch and couldn’t really tell exactly what was meant, it was quite a few pages back,
Perhaps I missed out on the first batch and didn’t get a notification.?
Really should pay closer attention, thank you…

T18, the “second batch” is for prototypes only. Things aren’t far enough to actually start manufacturing or other production-related stuff.

The list is public so there is a good chance Lumintop has looked at it, but I don’t think it has been explicitly delivered. People can still sign up whenever.

@toykeeper
With greatings from TLF

When the FW3A is OFF and I double click, does it start in TURBO or top off the ceiling?

Thanks. This might work:
https://www.fasttech.com/products/1630/10003970/1498900-authentic-nitecore-ndf25-25-4mm-beam-diffuser-for

It says it’s 25.4mm, and my FW3A measures 25.6mm, but that should be close enough.

However, I have this one and it doesn’t work. It is only ~23.8mm inside:
https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10006904/1551402-24-5mm-beam-diffuser-for-flashlights

Ideally, something more opaque would be better, like the Olight GitD traffic wand included with the S1 Mini, or the Thrunite T10T traffic wand. Those are both nice, except for being too small.

Off -> double click: Go to the ceiling.
Ceiling -> double click: Go to turbo.
Turbo -> double click: Go back to memorized level.

No turbo from off? :open_mouth:

Hopefully at least with the momentary if turbo was the last mode used.

You can always set your ceiling and turbo to be the same if you want turbo from off

No TURBO from OFF was the reason why I asked.

A few thoughts

  • some hot running olights has this staged turbo (turbo 1 -> double click -> turbo 2) and it works for the users.
  • The FW3A overheats (without regulation) in Turbo, so I guess it makes sense.
  • a double click, double click brings you to TURBO
  • With this setup you has quick access to 4 different brightness levels froom OFF
    • floor (or Moon if you chose that low)
    • memorized level
    • ceiling
    • TURBO
  • The FW3A will run about 15sec on turbo an than throttle, so it will reduce anyway. I guess most will have as ceiling a level which is thermally stable. The ussage of a 15sec blast is for me limited.
  • you can set the ceiling to TURBO, and you can have different ceilings in SMOOTH and STEPPED
  • maybe it can be configured by the user if he wants to to have from OFF -> double click -> TURBO
    The question will come anyway

I am fine with the UI as it is.

Interest

Hi, please add me to the list (1 Nichia). Thank you.