Umpi2000 wrote:

Anyone got an idea when the colorful ones will be for sale? I really want that blue!

Not sure, but probably pretty soon I think.

I got two of the color samples today — purple and white. Both are just like they appear in the pictures. Purple looks really good, especially with a black clip installed. White is nice also, and has sort of a grainy texture. So I assume it uses a different process than regular anodizing. Like most white things, it may be difficult to keep clean.

Hopefully I can get some decent pictures tomorrow.

Lumintop change the optics to this , The beam is pretty though. smooth, and it has good color consistency.from Selene’s sample.

They already assembly to the FW3A, so if some one not accept this,let me know.

I also have 10507 optics and sapphire lens in sell.

so the new optic has a plastic lens on top? would reduce money and weight and might improve lumen output?

I like it.

the downside would be users can no longer replace the optic unless they buy a glass lens.

A sample of the new optic showed up today and I measured it. It seems to have no effect on total lumens, but the candelas are reduced to about 79% of the original 10511+glass design. It is more floody than 10511, but not quite as floody as 10508.

The new optic significantly reduces tint changes in different parts of the beam, so it looks like it’s a single color.

A first-batch FW3A weighs 51.9 g, while the new sample weighs 51.3 g. Not sure how much variance there is, but the new optic seems to eliminate about half a gram.

I haven’t tested waterproofing or heat tolerance or scratch resistance.

The MCPCB hasn’t changed, so Carclo optics should still fit. But the new optic replaces both the old optic and the glass, so people would need to buy a glass lens to install a standard Carclo optic. I’m not sure where to get a plain glass lens of the right size, or where the best places are to buy a 10511 optic, so links would probably help.

I just bought an FW3C and a 10507 optic from Neal the other day, but was unaware of these changes until now. Is the FW3C still using the glass lens, or will I need to order one of those sapphire ones too?

If so, is there any chance I can add one to my order before it ships? I really don’t want to pay shipping for one tiny item when I already have a bigger order waiting to go.

Darn it. That complicates plans to put trit drilled optics in a couple. Now I have to get new lenses, too.

Well this is disappointing. Didn’t think the cheapening would start so soon

Can we change our orders to just an MCPCB with the FA3 emitters then?

Ordered one. Is the 219C really only 78% as bright at the Cree emitters? I wish I’d known.

BurningPlayd0h wrote:

The sapphire lens is useless for most people, it’s more scratch resistant but worse for flashlights in every other way.

23mm x 1.5mm seems to be an uncommon size, Fasttech at first glance has nothing in stock.
none of my other lights have this size lens either.

Kinda feel like it should have been a “all lights ordered after 1 week from now will have this in it” kinda thing as opposed to “hey everyone order the SST20 LOLJK new optic”

Exposing the bare lens seems a bad idea for an edc light. Acrylic is really soft, and would scratch easily. If it has a polished surface, it can be buffed with something like Polywatch, but the “matte” surface would be ruined.
At least it still allows enthusiasts to put the carclo + glass lens, but in a flashlight that costs 30$, it rises the price by a significant ammount

Bad change.

They changed to a floodier optic that also removes the ability to easily switch the optics? Not happy with that change. Hopefully the light that I have on the way is still with the old optics.

Lumintop seems to have a track record of random undocumented changes. I was really planning on buying another FW3A with FA3 emitters, but if Lumintop is starting their shit already I won’t bother. I’m getting 10 SST20 FD2s from Bluesword anyway, I can just swap them in myself.

Not happy about this. I hope my copper edition that I already PAID for will come with a CARCLO optic.

KevinZA1988 wrote:

Not happy about this. I hope my copper edition that I already PAID for will come with a CARCLO optic.

Not gonna say bait and switch, buuuuut…

Considering the page even still says “Optic: Standard TIR Carclo 10511 (matte)”.

oweban wrote:

Not gonna say bait and switch, buuuuut…

Considering the page even still says “Optic: Standard TIR Carclo 10511 (matte)”.

Changing out an advertised part of the product without telling people after orders have been placed is literally a bait and switch…

oweban wrote:

Not gonna say bait and switch, buuuuut…

Considering the page even still says “Optic: Standard TIR Carclo 10511 (matte)”.

I don’t know how much bargaining power Neal has with Lumintop, but maybe he can convince them to stop screwing up a good design with their usual “chabuduo” crap.

I will probably get a second light in some time and I would definitely like to have it with Carclo and glass too!!!
I know it can be changed after, but I’d rather have it as the original one!

After seeing TK’s comment above, I think I can stand that half a gram in my pocket, specially if it “only” blends colour a little bit better!

So…I ain’t sure if this was a good decision…

Kaidomain has 20mm x 1mm AR coated lenses. Can they at least confirm what we are getting so that we can order the necessary parts to get the light back to “standard” form??

KevinZA1988 wrote:

Kaidomain has 20mm x 1mm AR coated lenses. Can they at least confirm what we are getting so that we can order the necessary parts to get the light back to “standard” form??

The FW3A lens is larger than that. 23mm by 1.5mm.

djozz wrote:

…FW3A with the rather exotic SST-20 led in FA3 tint, and Sapphire lens…

djozz, have you been happy with the sapphire lens in your FW3A? Any issues with it being too fragile or reduced transmittance?

jasontheguitarist wrote:

KevinZA1988 wrote:

Kaidomain has 20mm x 1mm AR coated lenses. Can they at least confirm what we are getting so that we can order the necessary parts to get the light back to “standard” form??

The FW3A lens is larger than that. 23mm by 1.5mm.

Closest to that size is a 22.7mm x 2mm & 22mm x 1.5mm. Could fit with the right o-ring combination.

I have no experience with these sites, but here are some possible options I found:

Here are a couple aliexpress listings:
link1
link2

Plus two watch repair sites:
esslinger
ofrei

Yeah, this is a bad move on Lumintop’s part. They’ve gone and changed something without consulting the BLF/TLF team and made it worse. They probably shouldn’t be doing things like that after working so closely with everyone to manufacture this device as close to enthusiast spec as possible. They haven’t even rolled all of the versions out yet and we’re already seeing changes like this.

Wonder if there’ll be a “cancel preorder” option before the 24th (shipping). I really want the FA3, but I really don’t want different optics picked for arbitrary reasons.

I wouldn’t go that far myself, but I do totally understand if you’re upset about getting the ol’ switcharoo. Personally I’ll be happy as long as I can still get some glass and a Carclo for it included in the package.