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

And 6 months later you can do it all over again as it will gradually turn back to the natural Ti color with even the slightest wear and tear. :wink:

So a different design every so often…
This just gets better & better :smiley:

It’ll be like Christmas twice a year with a new design “every 6 months”. :smiley:

I see no downside……

That’s why I don’t think I should actually use it. It’s pretty, but I don’t trust it to stay that way if it gets used. If it’s anodized like I think it is, the finish won’t be very durable.

The FW3A gets used a lot though — more than any other light I have.

I really fell in love with this:

It’s really not my kind of light. And it’s expensive for me, very. But the looks made it really hard to resist.
I would get one if not for durability worries. Now it seems this was a right choice….

So…is there any way to get such effect and have it seriously durable?

[quote=FW3A Team]

Interest List

Valera I’m interested 1pc (darker)

Please don’t qoute giant lists. Just say you want one and that is all.

Wow that is one long quote!

I am sorry, but I could not insert my message

Can you please edit your previous post? :wink:
You can click on “edit” and then erase” all the information about the list; just leave your phrase there saying that you want one :wink:

What cells are y’all gonna use?

I mainly use Samsung INR18650-30Q but don’t have any spare. For slightly longer runtimes, I’m thinking of getting either Samsung INR18650-35E or Sanyo NCR18650GA. Is there much, if any, real world difference between the 35E and the GA?

Here are my findings so far:

  • 35E has very slightly more capacity.
  • GA performs slightly better at high currents.
  • GA performs slightly better in extreme cold conditions - this doesn’t really matter to me.
  • Cycle life is pretty much identical; 60% capacity after 500 cycles.
  • 35E is 10% cheaper than GA.
  • 35E is pink, GA is red :laughing:

I’m a big fan of 35E, superb cell and relatively cheap.
But for hot rods like FW3A I would recommend GA. I think it would be healthier for the cell (you’re going to exceed the rated current anyway) and also you’ll get a bit higher output.
Neither difference is big really. But I feel a bit more powerful cell is just the right choice.

Both are wrong. Becaus they are rated for 8A continous. With this flashlight, you will get around 15-20A power draw.
So please use Samsung 25R/30Q, Sony VTC5/5A/6, LG HE4/HG2 or similar.

GA is 10A rated.
And the draw will be high only for short periods before the light steps down.

For constant power draw the GA is rated with 2,5C or 8A and for max current for short period its rated with 3C or 10A.
But 10A is not enough for this flashlight.
I would not use this batteries for this flashlight and I would not recommend to use it.

I thought the purpose of the FW3A was that it was not meant be a hot rod? Hence me asking about relatively low drain cells.

Wieselflinkpro, are you not familiar with batteries? I’m really surprised.

This is a FET driver so it will only draw what the battery can give. Using a high capacity battery will reduce the current draw and give longer run time. A battery’s continuous current rating is irrelevant for this light since the light itself can only do maybe 2A continuous. All 18650 cells should be able to handle that. For people not wanting max turbo output, a 35E or a GA are fine choices.

It’s meant to be an attractive, interesting, feature packed and unique well rounded practical EDC light, that just happens to not hold back on maximum output, should you choose to use it in a mode that allows that.

Exactly :+1:

Of cause I am familiar with batteries.
I am shure it will pull more than 10/12A from the GA/35E. And I would not recommend using this batteries.
They will do less amps than a VTC5A e.g. in this flashlight, of cause.

We have different emitters and I am not shure if all two emitters are fixed. I read some discussions about another emitter besides the XP-L HI. With other emitters, we have other Vf and maybe more amps.

Can you garantee, that the amps will not be above 10/12A?