Nice review! I am waiting for my FT03, that will be my first thrower, hope i will be very satisfied.
Yup, get a good high-drain cell for it and it should impress, especially if it’s your first thrower.
My first leap into throwers was the Convoy C8. They’re nice, but now their output and throw just seem “meh”, after using more powerful throwers. But I still use the Convoy C8’s occasionally, due to their small size and programmable Biscotti firmware (I can set it to a single max mode, like I can with Narsil that the Astrolux FT03 runs). The FT03 is 3x as bright. Interestingly, still about the same sized hot-spot, even though it has a much bigger reflector. I’m guessing that’s because the SST40 emitter is domed.
Thanks. My friend bought Two and sold me one. I have NW and like it very much.
I bought one. It is regulated fairly well in every mode but turbo, right?
No.
It’s only regulated up to 150 lumens.
The FT03 uses a FET driver for high output levels, like most high-output budget lights use. So, it’s not regulated, and depends on the battery voltage. You’ll get good output for the first half of the battery drain, then the output will be less impressive (about 33% less).
Batteries are ready and waiting for flashlight 
I have Vapcell 26650 5500mAh, and Aspire 26650 4300mAh. I have some Sofirn 26650’s too but i won’t play with them. Firstable, i wanted to buy Convoy C8 or Sofirn C8T, then i saw FT03 and i was sure that will be the best choice for me.
what gives most lumens in this light, high drains 21700 or 26650 ?
21700, but for the FT03, it doesn’t matter.
The SST-40 is already pushed to the limit, so a 5500mAh 26650 might be better here.
Yeah, either is good. Anything with a 30A rating is more than enough, and the light isn’t going to use anywhere near that anyway. 15A or better is necessary for good performance, though.
Anyone knows between the SST40 and XHP50.2 LED, which LED will have a longer throw?
From what I’ve read, the SST40 version has longer throw, while the XHP50.2 has more output.
How long does the lighting last?
This may have been mentioned before, but a glitch in Narsil 1.3 allows you to easily turn off the LEDs in the side switch. Ramp the brightness up or down and quickly click immediately after ramping. Now, the switch LEDs are off until you use your light again.
I am new to this site and just recently purchased the FT03. I ordered the Keeppower 26650 (protected) cell rated at 5200MAh/3.7V flat head. The head does protrude slightly on top but equally makes good contact largely do the double spring at head and tail cap.
PROBLEM: It doesn’t work at all with fully charged battery. Doesn’t confirm any power signal after install with the 2 clicks of light at startup. The irony here is the when checking flashlight with OR without battery in the barrel plugged into the USB adaptor, the light works perfectly.
ASSUMPTION: I have the wrong battery The instruction book only stated recommended using an unprotected cell but did not sound necessary.
Can anyone advise me as to their idea(s) of what might be going on together with your best recc. for the highest rated battery and type to use based on your experience? I also tries protected and unprotected 18650’s and the behave exactly the same as the 26650??? Is there some hidden on/off switch I have located yet? lol
I appreciate any and all input on this possibly easy dilemma.
Assuming your light doesn’t work with any of the batteries you have tried, it sounds like a problem. The head sounds like it works, based on powering it from USB. So, it’s probably a switch issue. Perhaps that’s also why you’re not seeing it blink when inserting batteries.
But, I’d try the usual stuff, like making sure all contacts are clean, springs are okay, etc.
Protected cells might be too long (probably not though), but if you’re tried unprotected 18650’s that should rule out length and tripping of protection circuits.
Edit: Ooops, just noticed that you say the switch works when powering with USB. In that case, definitely check all contacts in head and tail area.
Thank you for your thoughts. What batteries are using with yours? All areas you covered above were checked together with switch etc. and all function when plugged in USB charger. Everything leads me back to the battery or power source used. Contacts are good especially with the double copper spring in the tail cap. Frankly, I am baffled that’s why ask about what everyone is using as a battery source; eg. specific to brand, size, power outputs, etc. I just don’t know what else to check???
I’m not very sure what is the “over-discharge current” cut-off threshold for the protected Keeppower 26650. However if you use that protected 26650 on the FT03 XHP50.2, I’m pretty sure the overdischarge current will be triggered (I’ve tested the FT03 XHP50.2 uses up to around 14 Amps on a good high-drain 26650, probably a bit less on a higher-resistance or protected 26650 — but it’s still possible to trigger the overdischarge current protection).
On the FT03 with SST40, I think it should be less likely to trigger the overcurrent protection (I tested around 8-9 Amps tailcap current on a high drain 26650 battery), my guess is that the protection circuit of a Keeppower 26650 would be higher than that (maybe 10 Amps??)
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Wait, I mis-read your post, you mentioned not even having power signal… so it could be the battery is not making proper contact with the body tube (head or tailspring section?)
Is there a driver swap you can do that has a v booster?