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

I’m already in for one but count me in for one more.

I don’t suppose this is possible, but since the FW3A is being shipped with a frosted lens leaning towards flood, and it is meant as an EDC light, for which a mixed beam would arguably be more suitable, what are the chances of having an extra lens type or two for variety as an optional extra to be selected when ordering if so inclined?

I certainly wouldn’t want to start sanding my ONLY lens, I would rather swop and experiment with spares, but separate orders mean more shipping and receiving fees, not cost effective on such small purchases.

It’s a narrow beam, lightly frosted lens which makes the beam look much nicer plus gives a little extra spill light. It should not lean towards being floody. Here is the 10511.

I doubt Lumintop would offer extra lenses, but maybe Neal would.

The problem is what other lens would they carry? MTN E carries 5 different ones and there’s probably more than that.

Maybe a clear version of the narrow beam, the 10507? I guess it would be the next most likely one people would want. Just keep in mind that it can produce some ugly artifacts which is why it’s not used in the first place.

Toykeeper, could you maybe put your beam shot comparisons of the different lenses, or a link to them, somewhere in the beginning of the thread? That way people can find them easily.

Sorry, I can’t find the post. I’m pretty sure it was you. Maybe it was someone else. I remember they were like backyard night shots showing the hotspot size and amount of spill light.

I’d guess 10-15A.

Although the 35E and 18650GA are rated for 8A and 10A respectively for continuous drain, they seem to handle 15A reasonably well for short periods of time.

The 30Q and VTC6 might be better choices if you plan to run on turbo a lot, but the heat generated by the FW3A in turbo will be more of a limit than the battery.

Please put me down for 4 more (total of 6)

I think that was different emitters, not lenses.

The video you quoted is fine for showing the smoothness and edges of the beam but it doesn’t portray what happens at several meters. The 10511 gets pretty wide and doesn’t show a strong hot spot like it does in this short distance.

The glass covering in a flashlight that protects scratching of the optic or reflector and allows for protection from water and dust ingress is a lens, simple as that. Anyone arguing this is a troll. :stuck_out_tongue:

Edit: Of course nothing is simple and depending on how technical one wishes to go there are variables, but in ordering a replacement for your flashlight it will be called a lens. :wink:

It was a while back, so I can’t be sure. I seem to recall the different amounts of spill light, though.

Maybe someone has some beam shots of just the different lenses to give us an idea of the differences.

I’ll probably keep the frosted lens. My previous lights had clear optics and I never liked the lack of spill light from them. I prefer a reflector type beam pattern and the frosted 10511 seems very similar to that.

He said “ingress”. No correcting that! Well played DB…well played. :smiley:

I don’t think anyone was calling the glass part an optic.

We are just saying there are two lenses. Both the glass part and the molded plastic part can be called a lens.

Well, they can be called toast if things go awry, but the people that make them call them optics… this is because they are computer designed to align the transmittance of the lights rays, guiding the egress of photons to a predetermined focus… hence, optics through reflective manipulation.

What do you mean? The way I understood it, the driver has eight 7135 regulators in total – there is only limited space available on the PCB so six of those are located at the bottom (spring side) of the double-sided PCB. Where else would you put them?
They don’t actually dissipate all that much power – when all eight are 100% on, I’d assume the driver dissipating around 2.5 W total (worst case) when the battery is at 4.2 V.

Lens, window, now optic. I hope this doesn’t drive the price up.

Shouldn’t do, as there will just be the plastic optic and glass window, no lens so we’re saving on that :laughing:

TIR lens is $30
TIR optic is $35

choose wisely ;D

What is probably meant is that the 7135 chips are orientated 90 degrees different from usual, what makes the thermal pads not facing the ground ring anymore and thus the heat has a worse path to the flashlight body.

Those 7135 chips are pretty tough though and I expect that they can handle this.

It won’t… :slight_smile:Nothing ever changed in reality. :smiley:

Lens, as in; my FW3A will have an AR coated lens.

Window, as in; my house & car both have windows.

Optic, as in; my FW3A will have a Carlco 10511 optic.

Anyone have a photo or video comparison of the 2 emitters being used? Would be nice to compare side by side.

Is it too early to say, “oooohhh imagine how nice a FW3A in 26650 format with a quad would be….”