Well, whatever the story, it seems that Neal did not secure the supply from his different supplier, for whatever reason. Who knows who let down whom.
Bottom line is that they are not yet available for the first FW3A build, so we’ve been told. Leading to disappointment.
BTW, why is a middleman (Neal) dabbling in procurement ? Surely that’s the job for Lumintop professional buyers. Where and how has he inserted himself here, and is his continued presence conducive to progress ?
Give the buyers a signed-off Bill of Materials (BOM) and let them do their job. Should have been committed many months ago. LEDs, driver components, MCPCB, optics. all critical items.
The driver design, optic and LED choice were determined months ago, and have not changed. Just refinement of the mechanical parts.
I think BlueSwordM helped Sofirn find emitters for the BLF Lantern.
Regarding optics, Digikey has thousands of the 10507 in stock, but as was noted upthread, it produces undesireable artifacts with at least the XP-L HI.
It’s pretty crazy that things are taking so long to go to production though… that was 15 months ago. I’m pretty sure I’ve never had a light be my primary EDC for that long before. Some have come close… the L3 L10-219 stuck around for a relatively long time.
Off topic, but it’s interesting that a simple 4 mode twisty that had an unimpressive max output even by the standards of 6 years ago did so many things right that it is still worth comparing to one of the most anticipated lights today.
I’ve lamented this before, but I still wish L3 had put the effort into figuring out how to make their lights more robust, instead of just fading away.
Well, whatever the story, it seems that Neal did not secure the supply from his different supplier, for whatever reason. Who knows who let down whom.
Bottom line is that they are not yet available for the first FW3A build, so we’ve been told. Leading to disappointment.
BTW, why is a middleman (Neal) dabbling in procurement ? Surely that’s the job for Lumintop professional buyers. Where and how has he inserted himself here, and is his continued presence conducive to progress ?
Give the buyers a signed-off Bill of Materials (BOM) and let them do their job. Should have been committed many months ago. LEDs, driver components, MCPCB, optics. all critical items.
The driver design, optic and LED choice were determined months ago, and have not changed. Just refinement of the mechanical parts.
Well Tom Tom,
since you seem to have all the answers, why don’t you just build your own Group Buy flashlight in like 30 days since it is so easy?
We’ll wait.
Peace Out
—
“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it sometimes rhymes,” Mark Twain
…
After the Apocalypse there will be only 2 things left alive, Cockroaches and Keith Richards
Well, whatever the story, it seems that Neal did not secure the supply from his different supplier, for whatever reason. Who knows who let down whom.
Bottom line is that they are not yet available for the first FW3A build, so we’ve been told. Leading to disappointment.
BTW, why is a middleman (Neal) dabbling in procurement ? Surely that’s the job for Lumintop professional buyers. Where and how has he inserted himself here, and is his continued presence conducive to progress ?
Give the buyers a signed-off Bill of Materials (BOM) and let them do their job. Should have been committed many months ago. LEDs, driver components, MCPCB, optics. all critical items.
The driver design, optic and LED choice were determined months ago, and have not changed. Just refinement of the mechanical parts.
Well Tom Tom,
since you seem to have all the answers, why don’t you just build your own Group Buy flashlight in like 30 days since it is so easy?
We’ll wait.
Well, whatever the story, it seems that Neal did not secure the supply from his different supplier, for whatever reason. Who knows who let down whom.
Bottom line is that they are not yet available for the first FW3A build, so we’ve been told. Leading to disappointment.
BTW, why is a middleman (Neal) dabbling in procurement ? Surely that’s the job for Lumintop professional buyers. Where and how has he inserted himself here, and is his continued presence conducive to progress ?
Give the buyers a signed-off Bill of Materials (BOM) and let them do their job. Should have been committed many months ago. LEDs, driver components, MCPCB, optics. all critical items.
The driver design, optic and LED choice were determined months ago, and have not changed. Just refinement of the mechanical parts.
Well Tom Tom,
since you seem to have all the answers, why don’t you just build your own Group Buy flashlight in like 30 days since it is so easy?
We’ll wait.
Peace Out
Give me two years (and counting) and I’m quite sure I would be years further forward. Onto MK IV. In my business (Aerospace) 6 months is a long time, for very complex stuff. In F1 2 weeks is enough for big redesigns, testing, manufacture, back for the next race.
This slow pace, and dilletantism, is mind-numbing. I suspect some enjoy the process far more than the satisfaction of a result, and would prolong things indefinitely, if not restrained.
Still don’t know why I bother with torches, they are such simple things, hardly a challenge.
Meanwhile our suppliers want to get on quickly, make their sales, move on, improve their offerings, do business, continuously improve, improve their lives.
Seems not to be be understood here any more, the drive seems to have gone, and it’s left to a handful of fuddy-duddies to try to keep the flame alive, at their slow pace, and with their conservative attitudes, stuck in their furrows, basking in their fan club plaudits.
Real innovation here ? Show me some from the last few years.
Not volunteering to have another go, having participated in teams twice, interesting but exhausting, frustrating thankless, no concept by others of how to run an efficient tight programme, and unappreciated by the masses.
Other good people I used to work with have just withdrawn for their own reasons. As have I.
Not volunteering to have another go, having participated in teams twice, interesting but exhausting, frustrating thankless, no concept by others of how to run an efficient tight programme, and unappreciated by the masses.
Cherish the very few that you have left.
Given your experience and wise advice you don’t seem to practice what you preach.
Don’t mind Sharpie Tom Tom. He just really likes to complain and argue. Even got banned for it, but he eventually made a new account. He has been stirring up trouble on BLF for three years now, since around the end of 2015.
If I understand correctly, he’s part of the reason why the “Report” button was added. (originally called the “Rude!” button)
Please also remember that one of the valid reasons to use the Rude! button is when a user is being conflictive. This includes starting, engaging in, or otherwise responding to arguments. The best way to stop an argument or make somebody stop trolling is by completely ignoring the post(s) and using the Rude! button when warranted. Also, please do not quote other users’ rude posts, since doing so only gives additional publicity to their rudeness.
…
Also please absolutely avoid fighting. If you and/or somebody else starts getting hot under the collar, please drop the subject completely. The Report button should be used when somebody starts or participates in an argument, even if there is no profanity or direct insults. Very few users are determined enough to simply shout off into an echo chamber, and in almost all cases a fight will die out immediately if everyone ignores it completely. Also, please do NOT quote other users’ rude posts, and don’t try to moderate the situation. That’s my job, and I do it with the help of your Report button clicks.
Thank you for confirming my suspicion, TK.
I enjoy listening to opposing viewpoints at times, and I appreciate knowledge and perspectives that I don’t have, but wow, talk about glass half empty…
lumintop said the optics should be arrived at March 31th
So… that’s the soonest anything could happen.
The supplier has been unable to get LH351D yet, so the first run is almost certainly going to be XP-L HI 3D only. After that, I’m not sure if it’ll be SST-20, LH351D, or other XP-L HI tints.
Let’s just move forward, anticipating the release of this new light. It has been a long time, and it looks light it may finally be happening, and sooner than later.
I hope whatever has been bad in the past few weeks for you gets better. Bad times come, and they go too.
Well, whatever the story, it seems that Neal did not secure the supply from his different supplier, for whatever reason. Who knows who let down whom.
Bottom line is that they are not yet available for the first FW3A build, so we’ve been told. Leading to disappointment.
BTW, why is a middleman (Neal) dabbling in procurement ? Surely that’s the job for Lumintop professional buyers. Where and how has he inserted himself here, and is his continued presence conducive to progress ?
Give the buyers a signed-off Bill of Materials (BOM) and let them do their job. Should have been committed many months ago. LEDs, driver components, MCPCB, optics. all critical items.
The driver design, optic and LED choice were determined months ago, and have not changed. Just refinement of the mechanical parts.
I think BlueSwordM helped Sofirn find emitters for the BLF Lantern.
Regarding optics, Digikey has thousands of the 10507 in stock, but as was noted upthread, it produces undesireable artifacts with at least the XP-L HI.
They’ve only got a couple hundred of the 10511, but say it can be ordered with an 8 week lead time:
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/carclo-technical-plastics/1051...
Mouser has around 1000:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Carclo-Technical-Plastics/10511?qs=...
Arrow has only 26, but BLF members should keep in mind Arrow has free shipping:
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/10511/carclo-technical-plastics
Off topic, but it’s interesting that a simple 4 mode twisty that had an unimpressive max output even by the standards of 6 years ago did so many things right that it is still worth comparing to one of the most anticipated lights today.
I’ve lamented this before, but I still wish L3 had put the effort into figuring out how to make their lights more robust, instead of just fading away.
Interested for 1, please!
Thank you iamlucky13. Any decent buyer should have found those in a few seconds. And more.
Tired of these delaying excuses.
Well Tom Tom, since you seem to have all the answers, why don’t you just build your own Group Buy flashlight in like 30 days since it is so easy?
We’ll wait.
Peace Out
“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it sometimes rhymes,” Mark Twain
…
After the Apocalypse there will be only 2 things left alive, Cockroaches and Keith Richards
Thirty days is too long.
One week perhaps?
One thing we should all keep in mind: The wait may be frustrating, but it it is well worth it if it results in a superior light.
Give me two years (and counting) and I’m quite sure I would be years further forward. Onto MK IV. In my business (Aerospace) 6 months is a long time, for very complex stuff. In F1 2 weeks is enough for big redesigns, testing, manufacture, back for the next race.
This slow pace, and dilletantism, is mind-numbing. I suspect some enjoy the process far more than the satisfaction of a result, and would prolong things indefinitely, if not restrained.
Still don’t know why I bother with torches, they are such simple things, hardly a challenge.
Meanwhile our suppliers want to get on quickly, make their sales, move on, improve their offerings, do business, continuously improve, improve their lives.
Seems not to be be understood here any more, the drive seems to have gone, and it’s left to a handful of fuddy-duddies to try to keep the flame alive, at their slow pace, and with their conservative attitudes, stuck in their furrows, basking in their fan club plaudits.
Real innovation here ? Show me some from the last few years.
Not volunteering to have another go, having participated in teams twice, interesting but exhausting, frustrating thankless, no concept by others of how to run an efficient tight programme, and unappreciated by the masses.
Other good people I used to work with have just withdrawn for their own reasons. As have I.
Cherish the very few that you have left.
Don’t mind
SharpieTom Tom. He just really likes to complain and argue. Even got banned for it, but he eventually made a new account. He has been stirring up trouble on BLF for three years now, since around the end of 2015.If I understand correctly, he’s part of the reason why the “Report” button was added. (originally called the “Rude!” button)
As our admin wrote and reiterated…
Thank you for confirming my suspicion, TK.
I enjoy listening to opposing viewpoints at times, and I appreciate knowledge and perspectives that I don’t have, but wow, talk about glass half empty…
Doh!
Thanks TK 
I did not know about Sharpie & TomTom, ToyKeeper.
Now things make a lot more sense, as I remember Sharpie.
How to Post Images on BLF // Many knives for sale (USA only)
How to move a thread // WTS Brand New Timex Expedition Vibe Shock Camo Watch (USA only)
Hopefully, very soon; we will be going from this….
to this….
…. and the FW3A’s will start rolling off the assembly line.
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 $$$$
Rudeness Level _ mΩ _ {width:70%} _ LightWiki _ LED Tint Chart
Xlamp size chart _ BatteryU _ Flashaholic? Need Professional Help??? TheOriginal _ TAB _ LightSearch _ BatterySearch _ 14500's _ DiCal
I’m surprised the chinese don’t make flashlights out of jade..
i would like a lens made of jade..
jade is as hard as a diamond
Shatters on impact and weighs 1kg
My very own high current Beryllium Copper springs Gen 3:
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/67401
Liitokala Aliexpress Stores Battery Fraud: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/60547
Count me in for 1. Hoping for the LH351D version to have news come out but otherwise I’ll take whatever will actually, really exist.
Some news, for those wanting schedule info:
So… that’s the soonest anything could happen.
The supplier has been unable to get LH351D yet, so the first run is almost certainly going to be XP-L HI 3D only. After that, I’m not sure if it’ll be SST-20, LH351D, or other XP-L HI tints.
Thanks for the update TK.
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him up to a heavy load./"Bear" Bryant
.................................. "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" ...................................
Texas Lumens Flashlights / M4D M4X Deals : sign up - save $$$$
Rudeness Level _ mΩ _ {width:70%} _ LightWiki _ LED Tint Chart
Xlamp size chart _ BatteryU _ Flashaholic? Need Professional Help??? TheOriginal _ TAB _ LightSearch _ BatterySearch _ 14500's _ DiCal
Interested
Awesome news TK! Hopefully this means the light will go into production in April, and we’ll all have this in our hands by the end of May.
I can’t wait for Christmas and finally get my FW3A !
"-X3-, is there any place in your house without a flashlight ?"
My Flashlight public album (mods, emitter swaps, eye candy)
My reviews channel (French language, Olight, Thorfire, Sofirn, Lumintop : 60+ lights tested)
My personal channel (including Olight SR mini, S1, S2, S1A and S-mini disassembly)
M4DM4X blog, saves you $$$
haha is that what your magic ball says ?
...where Frugal meets with Flashlight!
つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
Any/every day that a new light arrives is Christmas.
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.
X3 doesn’t mention what year, so he is probably right.
so far he is spot on so who knows
...where Frugal meets with Flashlight!
つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
Well BG gave me some credit about this kind of prophecy with the FT03, didn’t they ?
"-X3-, is there any place in your house without a flashlight ?"
My Flashlight public album (mods, emitter swaps, eye candy)
My reviews channel (French language, Olight, Thorfire, Sofirn, Lumintop : 60+ lights tested)
My personal channel (including Olight SR mini, S1, S2, S1A and S-mini disassembly)
M4DM4X blog, saves you $$$
My apologies to the Forum for my recent posts here. I was out of order. I can’t make any excuses, except that it has been a very bad few weeks for me.
I have attempted to delete them, but the forum has been playing up with database errors. When it settles, I will do so.
Hoping that this new post gets through.
Once again, my apologies to all.
Let’s just move forward, anticipating the release of this new light. It has been a long time, and it looks light it may finally be happening, and sooner than later.
I hope whatever has been bad in the past few weeks for you gets better. Bad times come, and they go too.
Good luck Tom Tom
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