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

Just ordered my SST20 version! Very excited to experience my new high CRI light. Kudos to Neal for navigating out a crummy situation and appeasing all parties. Thanks again!

Also, VinH (Skylumen) has been offering a quad emitter mod of the FW3A with several emitter options.

In both cases, probably best to get them from Neal. The lens is a weird size so there aren’t many other options… and I’m guessing he’ll probably be the only place to get the colorful versions of the light. I don’t know when that will be though. For now, it seems he only has some color samples.

He’s pretty much drowning in work lately though, so it may be hard to get a response.

Thank you!

I’ll ask Neal about it, but this isn’t urgent, so I’ll wait a few weeks. Maybe his world will be a little less crazy by then. {fingers crossed}

Brand new to BLF. I bought an FW3A end of May and received my package 6-12-19. I opened it and received a GT micro instead of my FW3A. I have emailed Neal a couple times and haven’t heard back. Is anyone able to reach him?

Try contacting him at this link using the PM (personal messaging) system for the forum.
Explain what happened and make sure to include you order number.

Message sent, thank you for assisting!

Pretty!

I emailed Neal two days ago, asking when my FW3C would be shipped as I paid for the expedited shipping. He just got back to me, asking whether I would like to wait for the Carclo optics or take one of the other two options. I chose a) as I plan on replacing the optics; he’s shipping tomorrow. That is superb customer service. Thanks, Neal!

My first impression (after I took apart the switch) what an annoying switch.. it squeeks, it doesn't click, I am overly unimpressed.

After taking it apart again and putting it back together 3 times, I think I have to live with this.

At least I found that if you press straight in the middle of the button its totally fine. If you slightly press from the side it squeeks, and annoys me.

Is it just my switch?

I watched some videos on Youtube, (maybe not enough) but they don't show this squeeking sound. Or maybe they just push it straight at the middle of the button.

I think some were under the impression that this switch would be either silent or near-silent with the behavior of a classic stainless steel switch movement.
There were conflicting views on whether pushing on the side/edge would create friction or not.

Since I do not have this light this information is only from what I read in this thread and across many youtube videos.

Mine doesn’t squeak, no matter where I push it. One edge is a little more quiet than the other edges (and center), but other than that it’s just a standard “click-click” when I push it. It’s not quiet, but I wouldn’t say it’s loud.

Hmm. it could just be mine then.... that's no fun.. pity

Some have switches that do that, some haven ’t. I believe the first batch of FW3A’s were fine, later batches have the squeeking thing necause of a slight design change. I have one of both.

I think they may have increased the speed on the machining tools or something, to try to keep up with demand… but that means less-smooth parts. I’ve seen some buttons which weren’t so smooth, and ended up with friction or a non-flat surface. And one person posted a pic where machining patterns were visible on the aluminum parts.

It seems somewhat uncommon though. Maybe it was just one batch, or just one machinist. I don’t know.

Same here, no squeak at all. Not completely silent but very quite… nothing close to loud.
These are my first two from first batch. Two more on the way, it remains to be seen about them.

What was the “slight design change” djozz??
I missed that…… :person_facepalming: . :slight_smile:
.
Edit: Looks like TK answered while I was typing.

[quote=teacher]
Same here, Not completely silent but very quite… nothing close to loud.

Same with my two from the first batch, really like the switch.

Same here. Mine are great on the two I have now
I would not change a thing about them.

I sure hope so. I love mine from the first batch and I have more on the way.

No squeak at all on the switch of either of my first-run FW3As.

If yours is squeaking maybe you can fix it by disassembling the switch and apply some steel wool or fine sandpaper to smooth out the edges.