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

You guys and your night sky talk!

I am always in the big city. I guess I don’t know what I’m missing. I am happily ignorant, though! :stuck_out_tongue:

I remember about 10 or 15 years ago, there was a power outage that knocked out most of north-east US and southern Canada. I think it lasted for at least several hours, and up to a couple of weeks in some places.

Did people in New York City look up at the sky, and wonder, “WTF is that?” Or, did they just not bother looking up, because there’s never any point in doing so?

(Or maybe it was cloudy or the moon was out?)

Left the city to stay near Galloway for a few nights some years ago, never knew there were so many visible stars on a clear night. Beautiful.

Hi, I’m new here…
Please add me for one if possible.

I was stuck in Ottawa after the ice-storm and freezing rain that knocked everything out for a couple of weeks, it was lovely. Though I only intended to be there for two days. Walking across the frozen river was perhaps not the most sensible thing to do, should have stuck to skating on the Rideau canal. Still, I survived.

North Norfolk is also pretty good for dark skies (Burnham Market). I am privileged to have multiple choices, I think I would die very quickly in a city.

My main residence is quite close to where the Royal Greenwich Observatory re-located long-ago to escape the miasma from London. (Herstmonceux). But still close to the meridian.

Clean air, clear skies, the coast nearby, my boat on it’s mooring. My dog agrees too, if he doesn’t get a swim most days he gets even grumpier than me. The sea is warming up nicely now so I will be joining him.

For a truly stunning astronomical experience, try to catch a meteor shower. The Perseids are epic. Comet Hale Bopp was awesome, but that was a long time ago (or in the future).

Total eclipses are great too, seeing the moon shadow approach at 1000 mph is unforgettable. Even though I had to drive to Rouen to see the last one (it was worth it, and cheaper than flying to Lake Balaton).

Put me down for one!

WOO HOO! Put me down for 2x FW3A’s and 1x lantern.

Here, lantern = flashlight! Are you in for 2 x FW3A,then?

What do you call an actual lantern then?

It has to do with translations from different languages to English.
pepinfaxera is from Spain, where flashlight is said “linterna” (in portuguese it is “lanterna”).
Most common translation from our languages is “flashlight” despite “lantern” is also used.

In this case I just tried to help to clarify that there is no difference from both terms. So there is only the FW3A flashlight/lantern, not 2 different products to subscribe for!

However, lantern is a term associated to other type of lights. Please search for “Zanflare T1 lantern” - a recent thread - to see what the term may refer to :wink:

Welcome to BLF!

Lets get this thread back on track.

I’ll start….

PSA: I am not sorry if you are on a metered or slow connection.

The furthest tree in the center of the frame is approx 42m (138 freedom feet)
The fence line is ~28ft/8.7m
The peak on garage roof is ~63ft/19m

All 3 triples were using 10507 optics (clear narrow spot)
All lights were in their highest mode (mostly FET w/ fresh batteries)
Camera settings were full auto because i’m a potato photographer







PS: Since we have a bunch of armchair astronomers can anyone identify the star/satellite/planet/ufo in the pics? I am facing approx due East and i’m located in Texas.

As much as I want to ask if it’s Uranus, I will guess Venus.

Thanks for the pics. As expected, the Samsung is a flooder.

Bonus flashlight nerd shots:

I’m in for one regardless of emitter, but based off the above pictures my preference would be the XP-L hi.

I’m pretty sure if my stove was in any of these trees I could see it pretty clearly.

Personally, I think either would be good as an EDC light. I will say a $20 desert tan S2+ SMO XP-L single at less than 1/3 the lumens will also light up that tree. The bottom line is if you want something that throws “well” you need to step up to a D1 or better and stop trying to use a TIR triple as your single do everything light. In addition, I think they plan on putting a frosted TIR on the XP-L HI version which is going to diffuse the beam more than my pics, so expect even less throw.

I’m also guessing it has to be Venus, because ordinary stars don’t get picked up by my budget camera too…

It looks like sunset, so that direction must be facing somewhere to the west.

Very nice visuals contactcr, thank you. :+1:

I have a question. You stated the lights in each picture has a 10507 optic (clear narrow spot)

The FW3A is to have a 10511 optic: (Frosted narrow-spot triple.) see post 1

How will the 10511 optic differ from what we see in the pictures above with the 10507 optic???
………

Below copied & pasted from OP

Optics

Triple TIR optics 10.0mm Narrow Spot Frosted TIR LED Lenses | Carclo Optics
Glass AR coated lens 2,25mm thick

……
xxxxxxx
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Optics

  • 10507: Clear narrow-spot triple.
  • 10511: Frosted narrow-spot triple.

Is it already a done deal that the optic will be frosted?