Is there a preferred method of polishing frosty optics?
There’s no magic, just use finer and finer sand paper, I’d start with 1000 grit and go up to 7000, end with plain copier paper for the mirror finish. Try not to touch the reflector cups while sanding, if they got scratched/fingerprinted you will loose light.
No.
I think for good polishing you need to take out the optic. Then put the sand paper on a very flat surface and sand the optic on the sand paper. Once taken out you are in danger of touching the back side which should stay extremely clean and preferably never touched at all.
Is it only coming with the frosted optics? I remember seeing a few posts about Carclo options for this so I may just order a different for it at some point.
—
Lurking flashaholic, Ive bought all my flashlights through lurking here, BLF A6, Sofirn C8F, Soforn Q8, Emisar D4, and a few not so budget lights but I mod them all the same! Been waiting for the FW3A to come out for years now.......
Is it only coming with the frosted optics? I remember seeing a few posts about Carclo options for this so I may just order a different for it at some point.
I believe so. If I remember correctly, the normal un-polished version produces an ugly beam but is throwier. A frosted one looks nicer and can be polished to give a bit more throw while still maintaining a pretty beam.
The D4S is much larger in the photo, but the shadows on the sides of the FW3A give a false illusion of being even slimmer.
Copy the photo, reduce the contrast, increase the exposure illumination and see the difference.
The D4S is much larger in the photo, but the shadows on the sides of the FW3A give a false illusion of being even slimmer.
Copy the photo, reduce the contrast, increase the exposure illumination and see the difference.
Yep, that picture certainly does make the D4 look huge.
EDIT: It is huge compared to the FW3A after all. The picture is of a D4S…. a 26650 light. See POSTBELOW by iamlucky13 for explanation.
Except for length the FW3A is closest to the size Convoy S2+ no doubt.
And without the bezel & head of the D4 it probably would be closest.
That picture is a huge optical illusion.
…
D4
Bezel diameter: 28.0 mm / 1.102 inch
Head diameter: 30.0 mm (widest point) / 1.181 inch
Body diameter: 23.9 mm / 0.941 inch
18650 length: 93.7 mm / 3.689 inch
28.0 × 30.0 × 23.9 × 93.7 mm
…….
FW3A
25.5 mm x 92.5 mm
1.004 × 3.642 inches
…….
S2+
24.13 mm x 121.92 mm
0.95 × 4.8 inches
—
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
Just what the doctor ordered!
Take one, and if you are not feeling better, take one more.
You are a flashaholic if you are forced to come out of the closet, to make room for more flashlights.
Nice, Nice. Thank you for the eye candy
Looks pretty sweet!
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It can be hard to tell how dark a shade of grey is in a photograph. If it helps at all, here’s how it looks in the packaging. This pic is from Neal:
TK, I hope that one is for you to make the “final” test and your magic with the FW
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Thanks TK. Looks the same then, just a difference in lighting.
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Oh now thats a nice comparison. Its like D4 sized while being more practical and tail e-switch. Cant wait for this to come to prod.
Wow, so excited, that looks brilliant for what I need it for, can’t wait to have it in my hand, many thanks for the update
Looking good!! Thanks to all for the updates & pics.
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
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I’m on the list for one light currently. I’d like to add 2 more, so total of 3 lights.
Nice comparison photo!
Is there a preferred method of polishing frosty optics?
There’s no magic, just use finer and finer sand paper, I’d start with 1000 grit and go up to 7000, end with plain copier paper for the mirror finish. Try not to touch the reflector cups while sanding, if they got scratched/fingerprinted you will loose light.
link to djozz tests
Ah glad I asked, I would have polished everything! Are the reflector cups the areas in the red circles?
No.
I think for good polishing you need to take out the optic. Then put the sand paper on a very flat surface and sand the optic on the sand paper. Once taken out you are in danger of touching the back side which should stay extremely clean and preferably never touched at all.
link to djozz tests
Gotcha, thanks!
Is it only coming with the frosted optics? I remember seeing a few posts about Carclo options for this so I may just order a different for it at some point.
Lurking flashaholic, Ive bought all my flashlights through lurking here, BLF A6, Sofirn C8F, Soforn Q8, Emisar D4, and a few not so budget lights but I mod them all the same! Been waiting for the FW3A to come out for years now.......
That looks like a D4S (dwarfs the FW3A) in the comparison photo.
I’ve got a thrower, a flooder, and an EDC too. Still looking for a bigger thrower, flooder, and a new EDC, give or take a few. I’m a flashaholic.
I believe so. If I remember correctly, the normal un-polished version produces an ugly beam but is throwier. A frosted one looks nicer and can be polished to give a bit more throw while still maintaining a pretty beam.
10511 frosted makes the nicest beam
(what hodor said)
Q: http://budgetlightforum.com/comment/1335150#comment-1335150 and http://budgetlightforum.com/comment/1332288#comment-1332288
A post with more about optics: http://budgetlightforum.com/comment/1169779#comment-1169779
Hello,
Interested in this light. Please add me to the list for 1/ea
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The S2+ is much closer in size, just longer.
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
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Looks great!
The D4S is much larger in the photo, but the shadows on the sides of the FW3A give a false illusion of being even slimmer.
Copy the photo, reduce the contrast, increase the exposure illumination and see the difference.
Is there a video on how to polish a frosted optic?
The link in Joe’s post seems to suggest you can just rub it

I know I’ll find a way to mess it up w/o visual instructions. LOL.. I am special.
Pro tip: Buy spare optics
Yep, that picture certainly does make the D4 look huge.EDIT: It is huge compared to the FW3A after all. The picture is of a D4S…. a 26650 light. See POST BELOW by iamlucky13 for explanation.
Except for length the FW3A is closest to the size Convoy S2+ no doubt.
And without the bezel & head of the D4 it probably would be closest.
That picture is a huge optical illusion.…
D4
Bezel diameter: 28.0 mm / 1.102 inch
Head diameter: 30.0 mm (widest point) / 1.181 inch
Body diameter: 23.9 mm / 0.941 inch
18650 length: 93.7 mm / 3.689 inch
28.0 × 30.0 × 23.9 × 93.7 mm
…….
FW3A
25.5 mm x 92.5 mm
1.004 × 3.642 inches
…….
S2+
24.13 mm x 121.92 mm
0.95 × 4.8 inches
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
Texas Lumens Flashlights / M4D M4X Deals : sign up - save $$$$
Rudeness Level _ mΩ _ {width:70%} _ LightWiki _ LED Tint Chart
Xlamp size chart _ BatteryU _ Flashaholic? Need Professional Help??? TheOriginal _ TAB _ LightSearch _ BatterySearch _ 14500's _ DiCal
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