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

[zak.wilson (Zak)]

Of course people are talking about modding it on BLF, whether it exists yet or not. That’s what we do here.

And given that it’s a FET triple with Carclo 105xx optics, there’s sufficient information to predict the results of most potential mods. I’m sure I’ll be modding more than one of mine because I’m sure I want one with SST-20s, and there will probably be more emitters that interest me.

[Geuzzz]

@Tom Tom

This is weird.

You lot are already talking about modding the thing, that does not yet exist.

Very peculiar. Trust the team involved (well, some of them), and lets see where it goes.

After then might be a time to discuss.

Tom Tom, please stop telling everyone what to do or not. I see it in other threads also.

Thinking and talking about possible future mods is one of the reasons for many to be here.

[DavidEF]

Also, not to be confused: the interest and discussion about modding this light means that it will be MORE successful as a product, not less so. We don’t want t omake (or buy) a light that is difficult or impossible to mod. Although, we do sometimes get a light made that is close enough to “right” for everyone that few ever do end up modding it. Some still will, and it’s good that they can, and that they want to!

[shirnask]

@Tom Tom

This is weird.

You lot are already talking about modding the thing, that does not yet exist.

Very peculiar. Trust the team involved (well, some of them), and lets see where it goes.

After then might be a time to discuss.

With all of your history with this forum it’s your statement that seems “very peculiar”

[thisnameisvalid]

Interested, put me down for one please! Can’t pass this up.

[CRX]

I mod my lights before I get them.
Power of the mind

[DavidEF]

@CRX

I mod my lights before I get them.
Power of the mind

I… actually… wouldn’t doubt this at all… with you, ya crazy custom build master!

[ToyKeeper]

I’m thinking about modding at least one of mine too. If I can get some 219B emitters, I think I’ll put those in it. They’re my favorite, and they work really well in a 10511 which has had the frosting polished off.

[joechina]

@ToyKeeper

I’m thinking about modding at least one of mine too. If I can get some 219B emitters, I think I’ll put those in it. They’re my favorite, and they work really well in a 10511 which has had the frosting polished off.

I have a triple 219B here sitting on their CU-PCB.
And I am a bit afraid not to fry them in a FW3A. Do you plan to use a –20% version of Andúril?

[ToyKeeper]

@joechina

I have a triple 219B here sitting on their CU-PCB.
And I am a bit afraid not to fry them in a FW3A. Do you plan to use a –20% version of Andúril?

No, but I would set the ceiling to the highest regulated level, and I doubt I’ll use it above that level much.

The 219B has a higher Vf than 219C, which makes it harder to overdrive. OTOH, it also turns into smoke at a much lower current. But I’ve had FET-based 219B triples before and haven’t had any issues. It’s 219C which really runs into problems on direct drive.

I don’t plan on giving it a hot rod cell either though. Something with more mAh and less current suits my use better.

[Finnno]

@ToyKeeper

….

A silly question maybe, but…how did FW3A end up being less sturdy than Emisar, since they are very roughly the same size? Is it different materials, thinner wall…?

[chadvone]

@Finnno

@ToyKeeper

….

A silly question maybe, but…how did FW3A end up being less sturdy than Emisar, since they are very roughly the same size? Is it different materials, thinner wall…?

What you talking about?

[Finnno]

@chadvone

@Finnno

@ToyKeeper

….

A silly question maybe, but…how did FW3A end up being less sturdy than Emisar, since they are very roughly the same size? Is it different materials, thinner wall…?

What you talking about?

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.

[djozz]

@ToyKeeper

@joechina

I have a triple 219B here sitting on their CU-PCB.
And I am a bit afraid not to fry them in a FW3A. Do you plan to use a –20% version of Andúril?

No, but I would set the ceiling to the highest regulated level, and I doubt I’ll use it above that level much.

The 219B has a higher Vf than 219C, which makes it harder to overdrive. OTOH, it also turns into smoke at a much lower current. But I’ve had FET-based 219B triples before and haven’t had any issues. It’s 219C which really runs into problems on direct drive.

I don’t plan on giving it a hot rod cell either though. Something with more mAh and less current suits my use better.

The original 219B has a higher Vf but the 219B V1, which is the one sold atm by Clemence and maybe others, has a Vf just as low as the 219C, but indeed without its current handling.

emitter test: Nichia 219B V1 4000K 93CRI

[image] Christmas eve, a moment as great as any moment for posting an emitter test I do emitter tests every now and then, but which emitters I test has a bit of randomness in it: I try to find leds that seem promising for flashlight use, but there are many more leds than I am prepared to test, and some very interesting leds are just not available in small quantities. And sometimes leds are just not tested for no good reason, even though they were interesting enough when they became first a…

[MascaratumB]

@chadvone

@Finnno

@ToyKeeper

….

A silly question maybe, but…how did FW3A end up being less sturdy than Emisar, since they are very roughly the same size? Is it different materials, thinner wall…?

What you talking about?

I guess it is this:

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

Looks like I’m the first one to get a prototype. Here are some images and early observations about it. Note: This is only a first prototype. The FW3A is still in development, and all issues mentioned here should be fixed before release. The prototype appears to use new host parts designed for this light, but some of the components are probably just whatever Lumintop had laying around. For example, it has cool white XP-G2 emitters instead of neutral white XP-G3, and the driver’s 7135 chips are …

[chadvone]

I didn’t see that Finnno. Now you got me wondering too

[nvanlaar]

@Finnno

@chadvone

@Finnno

@ToyKeeper

….

A silly question maybe, but…how did FW3A end up being less sturdy than Emisar, since they are very roughly the same size? Is it different materials, thinner wall…?

What you talking about?

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.

I would guess the tube-in-tube design is more prone to problems/has thinner walls/ …?

[Finnno]

@nvanlaar

I would guess the tube-in-tube design is more prone to problems/has thinner walls/ …?

This double tube was my prime suspect too

[ToyKeeper]

@djozz

The original 219B has a higher Vf but the 219B V1, which is the one sold atm by Clemence and maybe others, has a Vf just as low as the 219C, but indeed without its current handling.
emitter test: Nichia 219B V1 4000K 93CRI

Yow. Somehow I missed that one. That seems like a recipe for magic smoke.

[ToyKeeper]

@Finnno

A silly question maybe, but…how did FW3A end up being less sturdy than Emisar, since they are very roughly the same size? Is it different materials, thinner wall…?

The D4 is unusually sturdy. Every part of it is thick. I don’t think it really needs to be so thick, except up at the head for thermal purposes.

The FW3A is thinner and has its material split between two layers. It opts for a more minimalist design in general, so it won’t hold up as well to being run over by a car. OTOH it also weighs less and is more ergonomic so it’s easier to carry.