I’d imagine the copper heatsink on the FW3TC does a better job, and the FW3C almost definitely does.
people have been using spacers forever and the thermal transfer is very good, even with spacers that only contact on the bottom and not the sides.
That’s for the FW3A. We want it in the FW1A. I also what a black/white flat option
Yes I know, toykepper quoted this same message for me when we were discussing about this point.
First he said that it is nicer to use with the pocket clip, but what is the advantage of those angled reduction over the first prototype when you don’t use the pocket clip ? None.
Second there are 2 messages from fritz in the FW3A thread that let think that those angled reductions weren’t completely his idea. Later he said what he said but I know how people can change their mind and the true aspect on things based on several factors.
But anyway, the real question is that when you see that lumintop is making new variations, longer, larger, much larger, much smaller, etc, why can’t they make another variation that would be exactly like the the first prototype ?
The FW1A uses a 20mm star.
A few times, IIRC. 
It’s more comfortable to hold, and easier to tell one end from the other by feel.
I have an older one with the sharp corner, and it digs in during use so it doesn’t feel as good.
The original design was easier to machine, but Fritz’s revised design is a bit nicer to use. Personally, I would have gone with a steeper slope on the front part, but I’m okay with the gentle slope too.
Thank you for following up. I like the 7A tint in the FW3A so much that I need to buy a few singles to pop in the new model. I found some in Simon’s Convoy store if anyone else is interested.
OP updated with the pictures of my samples and cleaned it up a bit.
Since everyone is asking about the beam - I don’t have any beam shots yet, but I took the SST-20 version on a night hike last night and it was fantastic. Right on the edge for me where it’s just floody enough to hike with and see where I’m putting my feet, but easily enough throw to find where the dogs ran off to in large clearings without having to melt my hand on turbo. That’s a super versatile spread, and exactly what I want for an EDC light. I actually find it a similar beam to the much larger Dobermann, which might make sense since the XHP35 Hi is a larger LED.
I think for a lot of people this will easily fit the “pocket thrower” role as is, since the reflector is noticeably wider than the one used in common lights like the S2+. For anyone feeling up to a bit of modding, an LH351D would probably also look great in this light while having a bit more output and a floodier beam.
Wish they would do black ano on this one
Wish they would do a stainless steel bezel on this one, but I imagine Lumintop is getting tired of different versions by now. Has anyone counted the SKUs in production right now?
18350 tube,18500 tube,SS bezel will be available about at September 30th. on Neal’s site, may be you can just buy the bezel by itself later.
SS bezel would look much better on a black ano or raw alu light than this fake gray color but maybe i’m wrong. the bezel is going to be so big since it’s the entire head and not just a threaded on front piece (unless they change that too?)
What exactly is fake grey?
The arbitrary blue-gray color they used in place of doing clear or no ano.
Here’s the only example I can think of, one looks OK, the other some people complained about and some didn’t care. I guess we will just have to see:
I saw an update that my order just arrived at LA this morning… anyone else seeing the same? How long do you guys think it will take to ship?
Oh. So it’s not fake grey, it’s fake “natural” anodizing.
It was never pretending to be natural ano though, like the type 3 military-grade stuff with no dye. It’s just … grey. Real grey, in a medium shade, with a hint of blue in some batches.
Natural would have been okay too, if the result could be kept a consistent shade so the parts would match… but it ended up using dye instead.
…
Totally unrelated, tracking says I should have a FW1A tomorrow. So that should be interesting.
Looking forward to your impressions. I’m thinking I may get an FW1T when they’re inevitably released.
Fake blues!