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

[raccoon]

@DavidEF

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.

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

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.

[Firelight2]

@raccoon city

...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!

[ToyKeeper]

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.

[teacher]

@JasonWW

@teacher

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".. .

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 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.

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.

@teacher

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".. .

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

[oweban]

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

[Tom_E]

@Firelight2

@raccoon city

...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!

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...

[cabfrank]

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.

[MascaratumB]

@Firelight2

It’s never too late to start modding spending lots of money in flashlights that may go from junk to jewels, or spending lots of money in pieces and tools when you could be buying new flashlights!

I fixed it for you Firelight :innocent:

EDIT: what Tom E said

[JasonWW]

@teacher

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

It might be misleading.

I’d wait till later.

[ToyKeeper]

@oweban

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

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.

[teacher]

@JasonWW

@teacher

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

It might be misleading.

Not for anyone who reads fairly well.

[oweban]

@ToyKeeper

@oweban

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

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.

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 )

[netprince]

@ToyKeeper

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’d buy an sst20 version, if its a good tint.

[cabfrank]

As said above, there isn’t really going to a throw/flood option, they are all “floody”. I think the SST-20 would be a great option. I honestly might even prefer it to the LD, depending on how much lumen difference there will be.

[saypat]

hoping to receive it by Christmas -

[KawiBoy1428]

@saypat

hoping to receive it by Christmas -

2019 or 2020?

[teacher]

Ouch…… …

[BlueSwordM]

Same thing here.

Doesn’t really matter if it’s using an SST-20 setup, or an LH351D setup.

In a light with such small TIR optics, more throw is always beneficial, so an SST-20 option would be great, especially since it has even better R9 in the CRI spectrum.

I do prefer using the LH351D in lights like the BLF Q8, but for the FW3A?

Full on SST-20 4000k 95CRI.

[Coscar]

@KawiBoy1428

@saypat

hoping to receive it by Christmas -

2019 or 2020?

Free tomorrow !!

[BurningPlayd0h]

@ToyKeeper

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.

After hearing your comments on LH351D’s beam profile in a TIR triple/quad, and now seeing plenty of beamshots of them… SST-20 all the way.

If people want more flood a wider TIR optic is easily available, or they can just use DC Fix/scotch tape like many of us do for lights already.