Anyway, it seems the fate of the FW3A is in the hands of the potato gods now. If I understand correctly, production may have already started and all that is left may be the final assembly and sales. I have a tracking number for one of the samples in Neal’s pics — the ones with the dark clip. But I don’t know if that is how production units will look or not. We probably won’t know for sure until sales start.
As usual, I can’t really say anything with 100% certainty… but I heard a bit more about the emitter options:
It sounds like Neal is still looking for a good SST-20 tint bin. FA or FD tint, in J4 brightness. Not FB or FC, and not J5, because those are reported to be green.
LH351D is still possible but it sounds like international relations may interfere with that.
So it’s likely that only XP-L HI will be available at launch time.
Since the other emitter types haven’t happened yet, it sounds like Neal wants to offer XP-L HI in two tints, and he was talking about 3D and 7A.
I tried tossing the emitter poll data at him again, and suggested offering more choices, in ratios matching the poll data… but everything just bounced off. So I asked about a version with no LEDs. I haven’t heard back yet.
I’d buy it with no emitters. I wouldn’t buy it with XP-L HI unless all the other options are abandoned.
I’m glad Neal is trying to get a nicer tint bin for the SST-20. Nobody has offered that in a flashlight or small quantities of individual emitters yet that I know of.
3D would be about 4750K - 5000K, mostly below the BBL. The 3D’s I have I do not see any green, although if the bin (?) were above the BBL I guess there could be a minute trace of green. 3D is one of my two favorites.
7A is about 3030K - 3250K and all below the BBL. Much to warm for me, I have 1 x S2+ I got before I understood anything about CCT. It is ‘rosy’ for sure. Get’s no use except to visually explain CCT to others.
As far as “brightness”… beats me. I ’think’ that would depend on bin. (If “bin” is the correct term)
.
“I am pretty sure most people would really love to buy a light with 4000 to 4500k… we made polls”
“so let’s make one in 3D and one in 7A…, If you use them together, you got your desired tint 5A/5D tint”
I tried to get 5A as an option, because it looks so nice in the last sample they sent…
At first, Neal wanted to do 3D and 1A only (~4900K and ~6700K). A cool white option would be nice to have, but not at the expense of offering nothing for the majority who wanted something warmer. So I tried to get him to do 5A. Or, ideally, 7A, 5A, 3D, and 2A (~3200K, ~4100K, ~4900K, ~5900K). But I guess he doesn’t want to do a ~4000K model with XP-L HI if there will eventually be a 4000K model with SST-20 or LH351D. And apparently not more than two options at launch. So he kinda decided on his own to do 7A and 3D.
It only makes sense now because they dragged their feet so much sourcing other LED choices. It’s like they are doubling down on dumb choices to fix their previous mistakes.
They should’ve just taken the 20% customs taxes hit on the LH351Ds from Mouser, maybe increase the LH351D’s light price to 31-32$US, and be done with it.
I ’think’ that would depend on bin. (If “bin” is the correct term)
