For me, it’s about output first and foremost. If we could pack 30,000+ lumens into a package the size of an Emisar D4 with a 18350 tube that (somehow) doesn’t get hot SUPER quick, that’s what I’d like to see.
- you forgot to add that it needs a runtime of 8 hours at turbo, too
- and have the ability to make hot chocolate from snowdrifts
- and must be able to use the full 30K lumens in a strobe rhythm that will bring down UFO’s and send grizzlies back to the mountains bawling their eyes out
- if it could also find its way home when lost, that would cool, too
I’m still testing and measuring and taking pictures, so I’ll have more details later… however, here are some initial notes on the FW3A sample I received today:
The good:
Almost everything about this light is made well, and is what I was hoping for.
The grey finish looks nice.
The host in general is high quality with precise machining.
The button feels a lot more solid than earlier versions. I haven’t had any issues at all with missed button presses.
The clip is perfect, with none of the minor machining issues seen on earlier units.
The light is ergonomic and comfortable to hold.
I don’t see any weirdness in the anodizing, like the prototypes had.
Output is steady and stable even at moon level.
All the firmware features appear to work correctly.
Except a couple things noted below, everything appears to be correct, up to spec, and otherwise in order. That’s not a thing I can say often, even about production lights.
The bad:
On mine, there was an issue with the driver fitting into place in the pill. It looks like the pill’s driver shelf wasn’t cut wide enough, so it rested off-center on top of the correct space instead of in the correct space. I fixed mine manually, by filing down the edges of the driver and dremelling the pill a little farther open. This was weird, because no prototypes had this issue, and it looks like maukka’s light doesn’t have this issue either.
Mine shipped with firmware from 2018-12-02 instead of 2019-01-05. I’m hoping the real thing will have a newer version, but there isn’t much changed so either one is okay.
Misc notes:
The optic is a 10508 or 10509, not 10511. So it’s even floodier than the real thing is expected to be. Beam shots on these won’t look the same as the production units.
Lumintop hasn’t received their order of XP-L HI 3D emitters yet, so they used extras they had in stock. On maukka’s, this meant ~5700K, maybe a 2B tint. On mine, it was ~4000K, like a 5A or 5D tint.
I’m not really a fan of warm tints, but this 5A/5D isn’t bad. I like it a lot more than the SST-20 4000K 95CRI light I had for a while, so I think I’ll leave it this way. The only nicer ~4000K tint I’ve seen was a Nichia 219B.
So I’ll be checking on each other sample in detail to make sure there were no other issues. The only important issue was the driver not fitting quite right on mine, but it seems likely this was not typical. Everything else is minor and/or should be resolved simply by waiting for parts to arrive.
Mine shipped with firmware from 2018-12-02 instead of 2019-01-05. I’m hoping the real thing will have a newer version, but there isn’t much changed so either one is okay.
I don’t see any vias for flashing firmware in maukka’s pics, so I’m guessing we’ll have to disassemble the head for that. Is that right?
Mine shipped with firmware from 2018-12-02 instead of 2019-01-05. I’m hoping the real thing will have a newer version, but there isn’t much changed so either one is okay.
I don’t see any vias for flashing firmware in maukka’s pics, so I’m guessing we’ll have to disassemble the head for that. Is that right?
Yes.
Vias for flashing are a quite new concept for the BLF lights and this light is nearly two years in the making
The 10511 is called a narrow spot.
The 10508 is called a medium spot.
The 10509 is called a wide spot.
All of the above are frosted.
The 10507 is the non-frosted, clear version with a narrow spot.
I don’t know the beam angles, but the hot spot diameter is what changes. The wider the spot, the less throw distance.
They should be very easy to swap out.
For people in the USA, all these are available from MTN E.
I’ve actually found LEDsupply to be cheaper. They have free shipping on all orders. Even on a single optic. And it is fairly quick, ~3-4 days to my mailbox.
—
“Facts don’t care about your feelings.”
~Ben Shapiro
The 10511 is called a narrow spot.
The 10508 is called a medium spot.
The 10509 is called a wide spot.
All of the above are frosted.
The 10507 is the non-frosted, clear version with a narrow spot.
I don’t know the beam angles, but the hot spot diameter is what changes. The wider the spot, the less throw distance.
They should be very easy to swap out.
For people in the USA, all these are available from MTN E.
I’ve actually found LEDsupply to be cheaper. They have free shipping on all orders. Even on a single optic. And it is fairly quick, ~3-4 days to my mailbox.
Thanks for the tip about LEDSUPPLY nvanlaar!! Cheaper & Free Shipping seals that deal….
—
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" ...................................
I can see it now. You’re exploring a cave and decide to turn off the flashlight for a moment to appreciate the total darkness. When you try to turn it back on, Windows catches you with the ol’ “Please wait, installing update 1 of 24…”
I can see it now. You’re exploring a cave and decide to turn off the flashlight for a moment to appreciate the total darkness. When you try to turn it back on, Windows catches you with the ol’ “Please wait, installing update 1 of 24…”
Ain’t that the truth……
Or when you try to turn it off it hits you with the “Do not turn your machine off, downloading updates….. “ .
…….
BSOD…… .. ..
—
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" ...................................
Sapphire glass is a synthetically produced crystal second only to diamond in its hardness, making it extremely durable. It is typically grown in cylindrical sticks called boules, and is slow, expensive and energy-intensive to produce.
—
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" ...................................
I did a search for Flashlight Windows and came up with nothing.
At the rate flashlight technology is advancing, it won’t be long until someone installs Windows on their driver…
Windows? That is just asking for trouble. Your flashlight will just crash without reason. You will have to call Geek Squad to remove spyware and malware from your flashlight. Or you will get an email telling you to send bitcoins to someone that is holding your flashlight software hostage. Some 12 year old kid halfway around the world will be turning on your flashlight remotely in the middle of the night.
I've actually found "LEDsupply":https://www.ledsupply.com/triple-carclo-led-optics to be cheaper. They have free shipping on all orders. Even on a single optic. And it is fairly quick, ~3-4 days to my mailbox.
- you forgot to add that it needs a runtime of 8 hours at turbo, too
- and have the ability to make hot chocolate from snowdrifts
- and must be able to use the full 30K lumens in a strobe rhythm that will bring down UFO’s and send grizzlies back to the mountains bawling their eyes out
- if it could also find its way home when lost, that would cool, too
Nice summary, thanks TK.
Hi. I was in for one in post 1630.
I take another one. So one of each tint please.
Please put me down for two.
As I suspected, a little positive reinforcement and the orders are rolling in.
can someone make a short video of it perhaps just too see ?
...where Frugal meets with Flashlight!
つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
I don’t see any vias for flashing firmware in maukka’s pics, so I’m guessing we’ll have to disassemble the head for that. Is that right?
Please put me down for one with the XP-L’s.
Thanks
Interested! Please put me down for two!
Seems right. (No vias)
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
Click this to go to signature links. I'm still around, just not reading many new threads.
Yes.
Vias for flashing are a quite new concept for the BLF lights and this light is nearly two years in the making
I would like to buy one.
I would like to buy one!
I’ve actually found LEDsupply to be cheaper. They have free shipping on all orders. Even on a single optic. And it is fairly quick, ~3-4 days to my mailbox.
“Facts don’t care about your feelings.”
~Ben Shapiro
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 $$$$
Rudeness Level _ mΩ _ {width:70%} _ LightWiki _ LED Tint Chart
Xlamp size chart _ BatteryU _ Flashaholic? Need Professional Help??? TheOriginal _ TAB _ LightSearch _ BatterySearch _ 14500's _ DiCal
I did a search for Flashlight Windows and came up with nothing.
I did a search for Flashlight Lens and came up with Flashlightlens.com ….
But unless I missed it, there was no info on a Sapphire “Window”.
Just curious about it’s advantage & high cost.
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
Texas Lumens Flashlights / M4D M4X Deals : sign up - save $$$$
Rudeness Level _ mΩ _ {width:70%} _ LightWiki _ LED Tint Chart
Xlamp size chart _ BatteryU _ Flashaholic? Need Professional Help??? TheOriginal _ TAB _ LightSearch _ BatterySearch _ 14500's _ DiCal
Bullet proof?
It should be highly scratch resistant, for one thing, but it is also more prone to breakage than mineral glass.
At the rate flashlight technology is advancing, it won’t be long until someone installs Windows on their driver…
I gotta tell ya, this is pretty terrific!
That’s probably true Klayking…..
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
Texas Lumens Flashlights / M4D M4X Deals : sign up - save $$$$
Rudeness Level _ mΩ _ {width:70%} _ LightWiki _ LED Tint Chart
Xlamp size chart _ BatteryU _ Flashaholic? Need Professional Help??? TheOriginal _ TAB _ LightSearch _ BatterySearch _ 14500's _ DiCal
Exactly, quite the opposite of bulletproof actually.
I can see it now. You’re exploring a cave and decide to turn off the flashlight for a moment to appreciate the total darkness. When you try to turn it back on, Windows catches you with the ol’ “Please wait, installing update 1 of 24…”
I gotta tell ya, this is pretty terrific!
Or a wall of blue light from a BSOD
Or when you try to turn it off it hits you with the “Do not turn your machine off, downloading updates….. “ .
…….
BSOD……
.. 
.. 
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
Texas Lumens Flashlights / M4D M4X Deals : sign up - save $$$$
Rudeness Level _ mΩ _ {width:70%} _ LightWiki _ LED Tint Chart
Xlamp size chart _ BatteryU _ Flashaholic? Need Professional Help??? TheOriginal _ TAB _ LightSearch _ BatterySearch _ 14500's _ DiCal
Sapphire watch glass should bring some better results
I see now why it is good & pretty expensive too.
Everything You Wanted To Know About Sapphire Glass, But Were Afraid To Ask [Q&A]
.
.
SAPPHIRE GLASS… in pictures
Sapphire glass is a synthetically produced crystal second only to diamond in its hardness, making it extremely durable. It is typically grown in cylindrical sticks called boules, and is slow, expensive and energy-intensive to produce.
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
Texas Lumens Flashlights / M4D M4X Deals : sign up - save $$$$
Rudeness Level _ mΩ _ {width:70%} _ LightWiki _ LED Tint Chart
Xlamp size chart _ BatteryU _ Flashaholic? Need Professional Help??? TheOriginal _ TAB _ LightSearch _ BatterySearch _ 14500's _ DiCal
Put me down for two please!
*Click Click*
Windows? That is just asking for trouble. Your flashlight will just crash without reason. You will have to call Geek Squad to remove spyware and malware from your flashlight. Or you will get an email telling you to send bitcoins to someone that is holding your flashlight software hostage. Some 12 year old kid halfway around the world will be turning on your flashlight remotely in the middle of the night.
"Everywhere I go, there I am"
Just a quick gif to show something cool the button does…
(apologies for the large file size, slow loading, and shaky camera)
(edit: moved to imgur for faster downloads)
Thanks for this tip nvanlaar!
At Mountain Electronics there is an XP-L mod option that can be added when purchasing a Carclo 10507:
Anyone know what this option is about? Thanks.
Pages