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

looks great, i guess the lightning makes it look brighter then it actually is ?

I’m curious, if they may use 2 different optics for the LH351D version and the XPL-Hi version?

Eg. the Mateminco X6S with triple Nichia 219C uses a frosty (floody) optic by default, but the X6S with triple XPL-Hi uses a throwy (clear) optic by default.

So the XPL-Hi has increased throw, while the 219C becomes even more floody with the chosen optic.

Will this be the case for the FW3A (use a floody optic for LH351D, to make it a floody light), and use a clear optic for the XPL-Hi (for throwy beam)?

No, they will all use the same optic.

We are using the xpl-hi simply because the domed version does not fit under the optic. The dome is too big. It has nothing to do with being floody or throwy. The frosted 10511 is the best comprise between throw and good looks.

Would it make sense to add some 7*7135 stepps?

In theory I suppose you could have a step with the first channel off, the second channel 100%, and the FET off, but im sure that would be a significant amount more programming to add into the firmware to make that work on both the ramp and the steps.

Count me in for one!

The XP-L HI was chosen because it makes a particularly nice beam, but the extra throw was a nice bonus too. Domed Cree emitters like XP-L HD and XP-G3 don’t make such good-looking beams. XP-G3 could have been an okay option with a frosted wide or frosted medium optic, because the optic blends out the Cree rainbow effect, but it looks pretty bad in a throwy or clear optic. And XP-L HD physically doesn’t quite fit, so it wasn’t even an option.

LH351D was chosen because it also makes a particularly nice beam, but it’s really floody. It could work reasonably well with a different optic, like 10507 to make it less floody, but I expect that will likely just invite production inconsistencies. Communication on these things is … unreliable. So it’s generally a good idea to keep things simple whenever possible.

There’s a good chance of trying to add SST-20 at some point too, since it has become popular in the time since the emitter poll was finished.

Who where and when do I send MY $$$ to

must be getting close…

Not really. Even if it worked perfectly, the benefit would be very small. And it’s unlikely it would work perfectly. It could easily create a zig-zag in the ramp instead of going up smoothly.

Using a 1+1+2+4 chip design can work better, and it allows hitting any regulated level while only doing PWM on the first channel. However, this also has relatively minimal gains over a 7+1 design, and it requires more pins, and it tends to make the ramp a little more bumpy because there are more channel transitions.

In any case, it won’t get anywhere near the efficiency of a ZebraLight, because ZL converts extra voltage to usable power and 7135 chips do not.

Thank you for passing along news from outside of BLF. It’s helpful to hear about what gets posted elsewhere. :slight_smile:

SST-20 leds look really good in the Carclo 10507, some fraying at the edge of the hotspot closeby that virtually disappears at over 2 meter. Only if you are looking for it you see that the very edge of the hotspot is a bit cooler than the rest of the hotspot. I think it suits the FW3A better than the very floody LH351D, the 4000K and 3000K versions have better tint and CRI and a bit more spot brightness, but with a little less output.

Because for some reason the various SST-20 leds are well available in China, I’m sure that Lumintop will make an SST-20 version at some point.

it will be a while probably, after chinese holidays, most likely Neal will send them out, or atleast help out with it like he has done before in group buys.

Cool just been back into this thread after a few months away and looking at the updates has me well um Excited looks really good and I just want to make sure I don’t “miss the boat”

In for one! Thank you!

Excited to swap Luxeon Vs into one...

I am 192…please put me down for 1 more (2 total).

When I put some in a E2L with 10507 the starburst shaped hotspot is very noticable to me. I personally am not too bothered by it but I dont think I would say virtually disappears.

Sign me up for 1 please.

Please put me down for two more.

Nope, I already asked about the color some pages back, it’s not like it’s graphite gray or something (sadly ;D) – see TK’s reply: