The whole light is theirs. They took liberties with the LEDs, clip, anodizing, etc. Just because they can doesn’t mean they should.
This was not done after the group buy. I just ordered 5 - sst20’s when they became available as my group buy commitment (as was promised) and now they will have a crap optic
Yes, after two years in the making, the cheapening changes began in less than two months. I don’t see it as fair, but others may see it differently.
Definitely don’t want this change and especially on my copper that I ordered.
So I ordered my second FW3A with SST-20 emitters during the group buy (I used the code I was originally sent).
Will it come with the original setup OR the new plastic one? Does anyone know for sure?
Same here. My order was for an Aluminum SST-20 (Order #5214 06/13/2019). Need the Carclo Optic and Glass Lens. That is what the website showed and what I AM expecting.
I’m sorry for the issues you have to put up with from Lumintop. You are in a bad place with us. Lumintop should make it right. Thanks for the heads up too !
Does anyone remember the good ol’ days, when all we worried about was a bunny on our switch cap? 
sad to see Lumintop save on parts to make more profit
I mentioned it before - if the new optic was discussed before the SST20 model came out, with a, “Hey, all the SST20 models will have this optic and as of x date so will all of them”, then fine. But you place an order with the assumption that the only change will be the emitters, and then a few days later get told that there’s a difference…
If we can be assured that all preorders will have the original optic setup, then I’ll stay. If not, I’m out.
Indeed 
My main concern is the driver, any other parts are fairly easily changed but if they cut any more costs there it’s harder to fix.
No… Lumintop has not delivered what was requested in the Group Buy. The SST-20 version was/is outstanding.
And yeah, after the Group Buy is over…… they are free to change, cheapen, or screw it up any way they desire; as stupid & sad as that may be. . 
“Screw it up…stupid & sad…”
Yep.
I guess Lumintop quickly forgot how much effort and development was put in to this project, at no cost to them.
And, if CRX says something is harder to fix, it surely doesn’t bode well for most of the rest of us.
Yeah.
The SST-20 was part of the group buy.
Yeah this is a major bummer. I’ve got a small stockpile of Carclo optics so I was looking forward to easy swap outs for playing with beam patterns but this completely changes that if this change is permanent.
If it is I’ll still probably get the sapphire lens but that’s far from ideal.
Yep.
Not only is an all plastic optic+lens combo much more scratch prone, but the problem with the sapphire optic is that it’s less optically efficient than glass ones.
While an AR glass lens might achieve 98-99+ optical efficiency, a sapphire one might only get 90-92.
So, if we take the 2800 lumens number:
2800/0,98 = 2855 lumens
2855*0,9 = 2570 lumens
That’s quite the lumen loss.
If there is absolutely nothing that Neal can do for all the (pre)orders already being made for the copper version, I'll swap all the 'cheap crap' out my FW3C version and replace it with the original pieces from my FW3A version. Then I'll have the 'downgraded' FW3A as my go to EDC 'beater flashlight' and the 'upgraded' FW3C for collecting purposes, problem solved :D
Although I truly hope that Neal can arrange with Lumintop that for everybody who already made a (pre)order for the copper version, it will effectively ship with the Carlo Optics and the AR coated glass lens, as it was stated on his website when we where making the (pre)order ... And to be honest, a shiny special copper version with 'cheaper' optics and plastic lens will not fit right, especially considering the higher price tag it comes with ;-)
:BEER:
- SAM -
No issues with the sapphire lens, but I’m not exactly abusing the light.
I do not really understand the bad reputation of sapphire. My daily watch has a sapphire lens for 7 years now, and it is a common product for watches. It is larger and more exposed than the FW3A lens and I sometimes hit hard objects with the watch with no problem. And I like that it does not show one single scratch after all these years.
Until we start doing FW3A infrared mods. Come on Blue!
Yeah, sorry contactcr.
I completely forgot that the future of lights are main white LEPs along with infrared aux LEDs.