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

Please put me down for 1 LH351D! Thanks!

From my highly non-technical & less than scientific research :face_with_monocle: , my predictions for FW3A Battery Fitment are……

  • Most all 18650 Flat Tops will work.
  • Most 18650 Button Tops will not work. This will depend entirely on the height of the 'Button Top' installed on the cell... but it ain't looking good for "button tops".. . :wink:

These findings are based on the stated Maximum battery length of 66mm for the FW3A. :+1:

Since both pair of my calipers are hiding from me at the moment :person_facepalming: , the measurements listed below are taken mostly from LIION Wholesale & MTN… with a couple from Illumn & IMR.

…….
Flat Tops

  • Efest 18650 3000mAh Flat Top / 65.02mm
  • Efest 18650 3500mAh Flat Top / 65.25mm
  • Hohm Tech Life 18650 3077mAh 20.7A Flat Top / 65.12mm
  • LG HG2 Flat Top / 65.20mm
  • LG MJ1 Flat Top / 65.0mm
  • Panasonic/Sanyo NCR18650GA Flat Top / 65.30mm
  • Samsung 35E Flat Top / 65.3mm
  • Samsung 30Q Flat Top / 64.85mm
  • Sony/Murata VTC6 Flat Top / 65mm
  • Vapcell 18650 20A Flat Top 3000mAh / 65.0mm
    _
    Button Tops
  • Efest 18650 3000mAh 18650 Battery - Button Top / 67.1mm
  • LG HG2 - Button Top / 67.0mm
  • LG MJ1 Button Top / 66.8mm
  • Panasonic/Sanyo NCR18650GA Button Top / 66.8mm
  • Samsung 30Q Button Top / 67.3mm
  • Samsung –35E Button Top / 66.9mm

So, in summary; there are plenty of flat top batteries that will fit the FW3A even ’if’ no button tops fit at all. :beer:

Now I don't feel so bad about buying flat top 18650 cells!

I wanted button tops, but couldn't find any for the cells I wanted.

Hi,

Please sign me up for one more light (for a total of 3 flashlights).

Thanks!

MOST Flat-top cells will work for MOST lights that claim to require button-top cells, if you put a blob of solder on the top of the flat cell top so it can stick above the wrapper. :wink:

disclaimer: I can’t prove this. I just think it’s true. (and it probably is) YMMV :innocent:

Why make assumptions when Toykeeper has already said the FW3A was designed to fit both flat top and button top?

I think 66mm is the “safe” number so as to assure fitment, but I bet it will fit slightly longer cells. Not 69mm-70mm protected cells, though.

I’m sure we’ll hear more about what fits and what doesn’t fit later on…

I’m interested! Looks like a great EDC.

I've heard that as well.

Maybe I should put disclaimer in my signature that says I'm not a modder, and I do not solder.

There’s something special about having an $8 flashlight that you modded with $80 in aftermarket parts.

It's never too late to start modding!

I’m hoping it’ll fit button-top cells, at least. Earlier prototypes did.

I’m also hoping things will happen quickly. But I’m hearing that LH351D may be delayed longer than expected, because they were apparently not ordered back in December when I thought they were. And it sounds like there’s some sort of difficulty in getting them. So I’m kind of wondering if it would make more sense to use SST-20 instead.

I know it has come up before, which is why I mention it, but what do people think of the idea?

Here’s a very brief summary of the biggest differences:

  • LH351D has a wider, flatter, floodier beam. Probably more lumens.
  • SST-20 has a narrower, throwier beam. Illuminates farther away.

Both can still have hit-or-miss tints depending on the exact bin used.

To be clear, XP-L HI 3D is still a “yes”. If I understand correctly, XP-L HI should be able to go to production as soon as the driver fit issue is worked out. The question is only about the LH351D version.

I’m not making any “assumptions” at all. You left out, in your quote; the part that qualified what I wrote. :person_facepalming:

“These findings are based on the stated Maximum battery length of 66mm for the FW3A.”

Yet you say…. “I think 66mm is the ”safe” number so as to assure fitment, but I bet it will fit slightly longer cells.“

Sooo…… which of us is speculating & making assumptions??

I’ll take your bet too, if we can agree on an ’upper limit’ of length. :wink:

It may very well take a bit longer battery/cell. But what I wrote was simply written based on the stated maximum length of 66mm for the FW3A.

Personally, I don’t care either way. But I thought someone might find the data useful. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t.

My vote is wait on LH351D, so people have the option of throw or flood.

Yea, my $11 ZY-T11 clone quad mod:

- quad MCPCB from MtnE, quad 10621 optic (MtnE I think), 4 LH351D's from MtnE, alum S2+ spacer sanded down, 2 brass screws

- CK OSHPark driver, Blue BeCu spring, SMD parts, wires

- UCL lens

- light pipe from DigiKey, switch from Digikey/Mouser

- ohh, and can't forget one copper penny, ~1978

Just shipping alone? Yikes! Makes you wonder...

I would, of course, want the XP-L version as soon as it can be done. Next, i would say do the SST-20, if it can be done sooner. Then, do the LH351D, when the good tint emitters are available. I think a lot of people would really like the SST-20, and probably plan to make that swap anyway. I would personally get one of all three, and then a second one of whichever I like best.

I fixed it for you Firelight :smiley: :innocent:

EDIT: what Tom E said :smiley:

It might be misleading.

I’d wait till later.

True. Though in this case it’s more like “flood or … more flood”. And if that’s still not enough flood, there are two levels of even floodier frosted optics which can be used.

Not for anyone who reads fairly well.

Also very true! SST20 with frosted optics could fit the bill nicely, and is quite quick and easy to swap out.

(that said, it won’t affect me as I’ll be going HI; 4000K is too warm for me :frowning: )