In a light that can dim itself smoothly and automatically in response to its temperature state, why not enable the user to have peak brightness when they want it? Does a light have to be able to run for hours at a time at turbo brightness to be functional? Would it be better to have a single emitter and a weaker driver so that this light could never achieve a high peak brightness, just so that its maximum would be dim enough to be sustainable? Or should it be built with the size of a soda can, with a built in fan, so that it can sustain the cooling demands of 3 emitters being driven by a FET? In short, I think it is good to be a small size; I do not mind the reduced thermal mass. The D4 is only $35 if you prefer.
The tail switch is the major differentiator, which is hard to do with this kind of light. The UI will also be a bit different, and the ouput will be lower.
Thanks for answering people’s questions. OP updated with the latest news and FAQs. Edited sections are below.
- TK
Current status (2018-06-03): Lumintop made a second prototype, hoping it’ll arrive soon for testing.
Team
Fritz15: Design
Tommy TLF: General TLF communication
DEL: Driver
Tom E: Firmware (originally), driver
ToyKeeper: Firmware / UI, BLF gardening
The Miller: General BLF communication
pepinfaxera: Interest list management
MRsDNF: Early prototyping
Neal: Facilitating tasks in China
Lumintop: Manufacturing
The FW3A
Small elegant EDC triple flashlight designed by Fritz15
Runs on a single 18650 battery.
94.8 × 25.5 mm: Unusually small for an 18650 light — about the size of a SK-68 (1xAA).
Tail e-switch.
Bare-looking lathe-like finish, hopefully.
Wide range from ~0.3 lm to ~3000 lm.
Regulated output up to ~1000 lm.
Fancy yet easy UI.
Nice clip firmly attached.
Good ergonomics.
It’s meant to be a good all-around EDC light, something to be used heavily.
FAQ
How can I get one? What is the ordering process and payment method?
First, post in this thread to say how many you want. You’ll be added to the interest list. Then when it’s available to buy, a private message will be sent to you on BLF with further instructions. If you’re not on BLF very often, it helps if you have email notifications turned on for private messages.
Ordering and payment: Not yet determined.
How does the FW3A compare to the Emisar D4?
FW3A advantages: Slightly smaller, lighter, nicer clip, metal tail switch, higher regulated modes, cheaper (probably), much fancier firmware.
D4 advantages: Sturdier, more emitter/optic/host choices, rubber side switch, higher turbo modes, available from mid-2017, also comes in throwy D1/D1S flavors.
Old News
Poll (2018-04-19):What UI style do you want for muggle mode? Results (2018-06-03): By popular choice, smooth ramp is now implemented for muggle mode.
Smooth ramp (Condorcet winner: wins contests with all other choices)
3-mode Baton (loses to Smooth ramp by 66–36)
1-mode (loses to Smooth ramp by 71–31, loses to 3-mode Baton by 63–31)
None (loses to Smooth ramp by 72–34, loses to 1-mode by 57–38)
3-mode clicky (loses to Smooth ramp by 80–22, loses to None by 51–47)
2018-04-17: Waiting on Lumintop to make second set of prototypes based on feedback from first batch.
2018-02-22: “FW3A Team” account created, thread ownership changed, so now updates can be posted again.
2018-12-xx: The first round of LT prototypes arrived. Details are posted in the thread around that time, and also a little bit in the OP.
2017-11-ish: The Miller is taking some time away from BLF to deal with real-life matters. Tom E has also been too busy to be on BLF much. ToyKeeper is filling in for both… for Tom since 2017-11, and for The Miller since 2018-04.
Change Log
2018-06-03: Updated FAQ, closed muggle mode poll, second prototype confirmed to exist (via potato pics), filled in some missing “old news”.