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

Hello fritz,

I don't mean to sound offensive in my viewpoints. I do agree with what you said about the beam pattern and tint being subjective preferences, unique to each individual. With that I stand fast in my position that XPG3s generate a unsatisfactory beam. But to each their own. -- By the way, me sharing my opinion is not a 'far fetched argument.'

With that out of the way, I'd like to thank everyone involved in the project. Despite me not agreeing 100% with details of the build, I am extremely appreciative of the efforts put forth by the team.

The C8.2s H1-A driver is really good for what it is, but what sucks is they don’t use an attiny chip so you have to swap pins around to flash the firmware. Really looking forward to compact boost drivers that can be used in hot rods.

It’s been said many times by many people that boost drivers just have too many limitations when it comes to high outputs. Pcb traces have to be beefed up significantly and the components just can’t take the high current you have with low voltage. So that day may be many years off if at all.

I think the FW3A is probably a more practical light than the D4. It has a clip, it has more 7135 chips for steady med/high modes, the beam should be rounder/smoother, and the maximum output might be a bit less intense.

I’m not sure the tail switch will be any better or worse — just different. It encourages a reverse grip instead of a forward grip.

Looking at djozz’s XP-G3 measurements, overall output might be pretty close to the D4, despite having 3 emitters instead of 4. It seems that XP-G3 puts out more lumens per amp than 219c, at similar Vf. It’s almost as bright as XP-L HI, but has lower Vf so it can run at higher amps. So I wouldn’t be surprised if the FW3A can hit 4000 lumens. This assumes all other components are as good as the D4 though, which might be difficult.

My main concern is that I haven’t really heard anything good about the XP-G3’s tint consistency. However, it might still be totally fine with a frosted optic like the 10511. I’d recommend this over the 10507 for almost any light, but particularly for one with LEDs which emit different tints at different angles.

If possible, it’d probably be a good idea to offer it in a range of NW tints from 4000K to 5000K, with high CRI for some options. That would cover the majority of people’s preferences. I’m still rather fond of high-CRI 4500K.

Cawi posted a beamshoot of a proto here
~~http://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/threads/fw3a-tlf-sonderedition-in-kleinserie-diskussionsthread-update-fertiger-lumintop.56306/page-6~~

ups, without log In you can’t see it, this is the pic from Zak:

not the exact XP-G3

looks not bad

I hope the FW3A doesn’t fire up in my pocket as easy as a lamp with side switch.

No chance it’ll activate as easily as a side switch

Lock out via software or a slight unscrew and no accidental turn on possible.

It’s the full narsil, right?
So 4 fast clicks to lock or unlock it.

Yes full Narsil with all its bells and whistles :wink:

I’ve rehosted Cawi’s image because it required a TLF login to see. It’s an XP-G3 4000K 90 CRI:

This looks better than other beamshots of XP-G3s I’ve seen, but beamshots are hard.

Thanks zak, I edited my post

The Miller - could you add me to the interest list too.
The last few pages with favorable comparisons to the D4 have really gotten my attention.
:sunglasses:

Wow hadn’t seen that, looks pretty nice IMHO

How can that be 4000k? It’s not even yellow! Lol

He wrote it’s from a smartphone. So I wouldn’t rely on correct color. But the light distribution is nice.
He wrote also about a light yellow ring on the outside typicall for xp-G3, but no artefacts.

Any idea if this light would be made available publicly (and continued to be produced) by Lumintop(or other maker) after the group buy ends?

I’m interested in 1.
CW (cool white) if it’s an option but I only see NW in the OP.
Either way, interested, please add me to the list. Thank you.

I'm for a CW option too

I need to be on a list…please add me here. Thanks.