I would, of course, want the XP-L version as soon as it can be done. Next, i would say do the SST-20, if it can be done sooner. Then, do the LH351D, when the good tint emitters are available. I think a lot of people would really like the SST-20, and probably plan to make that swap anyway. I would personally get one of all three, and then a second one of whichever I like best.
True. Though in this case it’s more like “flood or … more flood”. And if that’s still not enough flood, there are two levels of even floodier frosted optics which can be used.
As said above, there isn’t really going to a throw/flood option, they are all “floody”. I think the SST-20 would be a great option. I honestly might even prefer it to the LD, depending on how much lumen difference there will be.
Doesn’t really matter if it’s using an SST-20 setup, or an LH351D setup.
In a light with such small TIR optics, more throw is always beneficial, so an SST-20 option would be great, especially since it has even better R9 in the CRI spectrum.
I do prefer using the LH351D in lights like the BLF Q8, but for the FW3A?
It’s all a matter of personal taste. But I find that LH351D is just a bit too floody for me. I much prefer the extra punch of XPL HI or SST 20.
I expect when I get my FW3A I’ll probably swap out the emitters for XPL HI (probably two 5000K and one 4000K) and the optic to 10507.
SST 20 is nice, but I find it looks a bit too green-tinged. Also compared to XPL HI, SST 20 with its lower Vf it draws more current which causes the head to heat up faster resulting in the driver ramping down output faster.
That’ll produce a pretty strange beam pattern. XP-L HI + 10507 tends to have fairly visible artifacts, and you’d be getting artifacts in two different colors.
That might be exactly what he’s going for. Look at his username. Maybe he’s going to run it on candle mode and watch the artifacts flicker all over the place. :partying_face:
No need to consider protected cells, just unprotected button- and flat-tops. It seems that this model has limited its ability to accommodate a range of cells by using a short set of springs. Resistance shouldn’t be the reason - this light should draw substantially less current than the Emisar D4, which accommodates both flat- and button-top cells pretty well.