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

Thank you indeed, Neal. Very nice of you to let us know about the change.

Indeed, I bought a Tool Ti that was explicitly advertised as 219B, but to my disdain arrived with a 219C. Fortunately, it’s a really good 219C and it remains one of the best tinted emitters in my collection today. I unfortunately can’t say the same about the green 219Cs that came in my Emisar D4.

Yep,thanks for the heads up Neal.
So I order the SST-20 with a turboglow gasket that fits FW3A and the carlco 105xx optic. What’s going to work and what’s not going to work? I really do want the ar coated lens and the original optic.

I suppose you could get the sapphire lens available on Neal’s site, but, in my opinion, sapphire is not the best material for a flashlight lens.

Hi Neal, jus to let you know I don't accept this for my ordered copper version (order 5240) and would rather have the original Carclo Optics 10511 with AR Coated Glass (just like the original version please), as it was stated on your website when making the order. Thank you!

:BEER:

- SAM -

I feel badly for Neal. Talk about “bait and switch”… it was done to him first and foremost. No heads up / warning? He just gets a light to discover the change. Mind you, ToyKeeper did alert us to the possibility of an optic change, which many of us here reacted to with “Please, NO!”. Then, less than 2 weeks later, this happens.

Excellent point made about Lumintop not having to do any of the design engineering for this light. They were given the blueprints already complete and probably even all the supplier sources lined up. Naturally, they make less money because of the design licensing. But hey… you get paid for your efforts, right?

I also think it’s in very poor form for Lumintop to have done this. I really don’t see the cost advantage here, given the volume. This is a “niche” flashlight. It’s not even broken out into mainstream promotion yet. If they make just a thousand dollars or so more profit over the course of the production, that’s not really enough to warrant this change, by cheapening the light.

They need to understand that because this was a BLF project initiative, there’s a community behind it that is sensitive to changes. Acknowledge this mistake.

EDIT: I see Neal is offering parts, thankfully. The optic price isn’t bad, but with glass it adds up to another $7.50 USD. A bit much… but at least it means the original design is still in reach.

I’ll cherish my original release FW3A and look forward to the next BLF project… hopefully not contracted out to Lumintop. After all, remember all the QC issues we faced. Lumintop was really slipshod on this, compared to other makers.

To be fair, Lumintop delivered what was requested for the Group Buy.

Any changes they make after the group buy is done is up to them.

Thanks Neal, we all appreciate it!

:BEER:

- SAM -

I feel bad for Neal that he is in the middle of this. He is trying to do the right thing, and it may cost him sales. It is not fair to him, and he is probably not happy about it, just like us.

Edit: xevious, your post came in just before mine, and it seems we agree.

The whole light is theirs. They took liberties with the LEDs, clip, anodizing, etc. Just because they can doesn’t mean they should.

This was not done after the group buy. I just ordered 5 - sst20’s when they became available as my group buy commitment (as was promised) and now they will have a crap optic

Yes, after two years in the making, the cheapening changes began in less than two months. I don’t see it as fair, but others may see it differently.

Definitely don’t want this change and especially on my copper that I ordered.

So I ordered my second FW3A with SST-20 emitters during the group buy (I used the code I was originally sent).

Will it come with the original setup OR the new plastic one? Does anyone know for sure?

Same here. My order was for an Aluminum SST-20 (Order #5214 06/13/2019). Need the Carclo Optic and Glass Lens. That is what the website showed and what I AM expecting.

I’m sorry for the issues you have to put up with from Lumintop. You are in a bad place with us. Lumintop should make it right. Thanks for the heads up too !

@PBWilson, probably not, at least until someone receives one.

Does anyone remember the good ol’ days, when all we worried about was a bunny on our switch cap? :wink:

sad to see Lumintop save on parts to make more profit

I mentioned it before - if the new optic was discussed before the SST20 model came out, with a, “Hey, all the SST20 models will have this optic and as of x date so will all of them”, then fine. But you place an order with the assumption that the only change will be the emitters, and then a few days later get told that there’s a difference…

If we can be assured that all preorders will have the original optic setup, then I’ll stay. If not, I’m out.

Indeed :smiley:
My main concern is the driver, any other parts are fairly easily changed but if they cut any more costs there it’s harder to fix.

No… Lumintop has not delivered what was requested in the Group Buy. The SST-20 version was/is outstanding.

And yeah, after the Group Buy is over…… they are free to change, cheapen, or screw it up any way they desire; as stupid & sad as that may be. . :frowning: