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

Anyone know why Fritz15 and The Miller disappeared?

That’s a good question. Been awhile since I was here but The Miller was a fixture here.

The Miller got really busy with his Bed and Breakfast. He had lots of repairs to do after a flood. He got sick a few times. So he didn’t have time for the flashlight forum. I suspect he might have gotten burnt out a bit as well. It’s pretty normal to have life stuff get in the way.

I want to say again how displeased I am the 18350 tube ended up with that ridiculous built-in tactical ring. It’s very unfortunate a single vendor who had no involvement in development can dictate important design details like this for a BLF community light.

Is it certain that it will have the ring? That would be really unfortunate. I’d put it on the lathe and make a raw aluminum version. Better than an ugly, uncomfortable ring.

I really like this mock-up. Wish this was chosen.

Yip! Looks great, and should still give sufficient “tactical style” grip with the lighter 18350 cell.

Are you making assumptions about the final design or has it been declared official that it will have that added ring?

I have not heard of any official decisions.

Hi Gang,

I'm having trouble with my FW3T. I just got this last week. The details say Sapphire lens.
Mine got shipped with some type of poly carbonate. I accidentally left the light on a medium

setting overnight(or it came on by itself) bezel down. The Carclo optics are fine, not so for the lens.

Who do I ask for the correct lens? Neal or Lumintop?

GL

Pic Link if not displayed

the optic is gone imho - did you try to clean the lens?

If bought through Neal’s store, ask Neal. If bought through Lumintops store, ask Lumintop.

The lens is melted, the Carclo optic is also melted.

Thanks. I’ll send Neal an email

I think you’re confusing the two parts. The melted plastic piece is the Carclo optic and the glass with singe marks is the lens.

Respectfully Bob, Thank You. I just took a closer look and it too is melted, Thank You. I’ll edit my post.

If you want US vendors:

https://www.ledsupply.com/triple-carclo-led-optics/ for Carclo optics
and
Watch Crystals | Glass Crystals | Watch Glass Replacement for generic uncoated lenses

My God, are you saying the glass melted?! Does this firmware not have a default value for the overheat protection?

Thank You.

I already own many lights that use the Carclo optics :).

Are you in New York? I have a spare carclo, but my sapphire lenses from Neal are somewhere between here and China. They appear to be in the US but are doing the shipping partner shuffle.

MTN sells the Carclo in the US, but I don’t see a link for the front lens.

Default thermal stepdown is 55°C or 60°C (I can’t remember which).
It can’t measure how hot the optic and glass lens gets, it just measures the flashlight body (temp sensor built into the MCU of the driver). Normally the optic and lens don’t get very hot. The plastic that Carclo uses is good for about 120°C. If you leave the light face down on a dark table (it may not have to be that dark) you get a lot of heat absorption into the table. This heat is then trapped. You create a little oven with the optic and lens inside. As the air is sealed off, the temps get higher and higher and they get damaged.

I don't think it's glass. I read an FW3A update about switching to an all in one different vendor's optics that didn't use a glass window.
Perhaps this lens is one of those :shrug: I'm waiting for a response to my email to Neal.

Edit: I just checked the Light Blond wood it was set down on, Triangular blackened burn marks etched into the wood. Yikes. I think I'll mill

some crenulations into the bezel so I can see if it's on.