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

Disappointing, to say the least. As others have said, I should have bought a couple more early, but didn’t due to emitter options, and indecision. I hope I’m wrong, but further cheapening will probably occur, or is occurring. I bought optics already to switch out, but I will only buy more flashlights if I can find proper lenses to fit. I am not interested in any with this new optic.

Looks like the discount is gone. I should have gotten the XPL-Hi version. :(

If Toyota would do this with their cars, they would end up selling Ladas and no longer Toyotas!

Thank you TK, the blue and maybe the white are my picks. I thought I wanted the copper but it’s apparently only raw Polished finish without a coating so I think I’ll be too hard on the light and it’ll end up looking natty :smiley:
Gosh and now reading about he changes to the lens and optic setup it’s a bit of a downer that I gifted 3 of the 4 I ordered, should have kept the originals and gifted the new models haha

This sucks. I hope I can add an optic and lens to my existing (pre)order.

Aye, I’m in the same boat and I sent Neal an email about this. Might be a good idea for you to do the same.

BLF A6 - actually got better with time (double springs)
BLF Q8 - long term reliable product (Sofirn gave us new LED options too)
FW3A - 1 month in and ???

Maybe Thorfire/Sofirn would be interested in a group buy for a popular, relatively easy to manufacture design… they even have LH351Ds.

TK verifies that no lumens are lost, but candela is indeed reduced.

Agreed. Or maybe BLF should talk to Gene Malkoff: I know he has been toying with a programmable light. Yes, it would be over $100, but . . . Oh, I’m kidding. Maybe.

Chuck

TK, were you able to see if there were any other quiet changes, like to the driver or switch assembly?

In the midst of all the concerned discussion, I do want to thank Neal for bringing the change to our attention. I hope Lumintop listens to the feedback he has collected.

Instead of the Tool AA, you could have mentioned the Tool AAA, advertised as available with a 219B emitter, but as far as I know, has actually been shipping with a 219C (although like the FW3A, reported to be a decent tinted one), for over a year:
http://www.lumintop.com/tool-ti.html

Bulb Cree XP-G2 R5 LED Nichia 219BTLED

* edit - fixed typo

Somewhat sad isn’t it . :person_facepalming: . :frowning:

There’s a thought. :beer: . A great thought in fact.
If Lumintop won’t play ball… find a manufacturer that will. :+1:

Different optic and code no longer valid, is that correct?

Two years in the making and less than two months before the changes start. Hmm.

Lucky me, bought in time.
Mike

+1…. :+1: … Thank you Neal!! . :beer:

Yes, definitely. Thank you, Neal, for telling us about the change! :+1:

Well, with all of this in mind, I’ll just go get an Emisar D4/FF E07 instead.

Thank you indeed, Neal. Very nice of you to let us know about the change.

Indeed, I bought a Tool Ti that was explicitly advertised as 219B, but to my disdain arrived with a 219C. Fortunately, it’s a really good 219C and it remains one of the best tinted emitters in my collection today. I unfortunately can’t say the same about the green 219Cs that came in my Emisar D4.