…When the FW3A shows up, I’m going to pit it against the Emisar D4 and the Zebralight SC64w HI and maybe even write up some kind of basic comparative review…
I’d like to hear your thoughts on those lights. I can’t buy everything that’s shiny, so I’ve found myself gravitating towards the small 18650 end of the market. If you find time to make that comparison, I’m sure it would help more people than just me. Thanks.
I’m glad people are already receiving some lights. I’m also glad to hear people haven’t had any serious issues. About the only thing mentioned so far is that the retaining ring was loose on some lights… and that’s really easy to fix.
TBH, it’d be nice if the retaining ring on mine had been loose, because then I’d be able to get the driver out. But on mine, the ring is so tight it won’t budge. So I may just leave the firmware on this one alone instead of updating it every year.
Enabler.
Not bad advice though, if I didn’t have enough cells. I just don’t have any of the lower drain, higher capacity ones that are preferred for this light.
TK, if you have a Harbor Freight Tools near you, they have a cheap set of snap ring pliers that makes retaining ring removal a breeze. It has interchangeable tips, one set of which is straight, not bent.
Most retaining rings are pretty easy to remove. This one is a bit tricky because it’s so narrow. But I’ve been meaning to get some proper snap-ring pliers instead of using machinist calipers.
TK, if you have a Harbor Freight Tools near you, they have a cheap set of snap ring pliers that makes retaining ring removal a breeze. It has interchangeable tips, one set of which is straight, not bent.
It might take a bit more than snap ring pliers, I had to use specially hand ground down needle nose pliers to get both of my FW3A driver retainer rings loose….the ring is thin and was very tight. The driver is a tight press fit also, it would not pull out by the spring, had to smack it on my wood bench to pop it out, snapped back in nicely with out popping back out, nice enough to run it with out the retainer ring with out issue. so far..
I don’t doubt they most likely fit and I believe mine will, but remember there is no such thing as 30Q button top. if there’s a button, it’s because someone modified the battery. Meaning the dimensions could vary.
TK, if you have a Harbor Freight Tools near you, they have a cheap set of snap ring pliers that makes retaining ring removal a breeze. It has interchangeable tips, one set of which is straight, not bent.
If the retaining ring is more than finger tight it will break those sh!tty HF snap ring pliers. I’ve broken all 8 from 2 plier sets on one pill. Spend the money for a decent set, it’s cheaper in the long run.
I too was notified of my flashlight shipping this morning. My number on the “new” list was up around 990, so I fully expected that it wouldn’t go out until after May 8th. The notice was a very nice surprise to start my day.
Totally unrelated….your signature line – from one of my all time favorite movies. You cook good rabbit, pilgrim…
I’ve actually manage to copper plate an aluminium light very recently, and everything worked out wonderfully!
Awesome. It probably looks really nice.
I used to know a guy who did research on how to add a chrome layer to things. He figured out a method which works on virtually anything, and to prove it, he chromed a teddy bear. Like, fur and everything. It was one of the oddest things I’ve ever seen.
Yeah. It was stupid hard to make a formulation that actually worked on aluminium, and using materials that could be commonly found.
It also was a test to my skills of chemistry and electrochemistry.
About that guy though, there are probably 2 ways to think what happened:
1. He got employed at an electroplating company, and got a very nice pay.
2. He got hurt by hexavalent chromium poisoning.
Neal wrote: first batch 7A 330pcs nearly sold out,so it will be better to choose the 3D version or wait for the SST20 version[/quote].
Does this mean some of us who ordered the 7A will not receive them or that no additional orders for 7A are appropriate? I ordered both 7A and 3D and am wondering; it is confirmed but not shipped. 330 is not a lot with so many buying these lights. BTW, you can go to Neal’s site and still add 7A to your cart, so I am a bit confused.
Concerning the shipping by DHL comments, my previous battery orders have been coming DHL to USA probably due to international shipping regulations. Those of us who bought batteries and lights might be in a different category from flashlights only, but maybe not. Either way, I hope the orders arrive complete for all of us. And thanks to the team who made this flashlight possible. Exciting time!
Neal wrote: first batch 7A 330pcs nearly sold out,so it will be better to choose the 3D version or wait for the SST20 version
.
Does this mean some of us who ordered the 7A will not receive them or that no additional orders for 7A are appropriate? I ordered both 7A and 3D and am wondering; it is confirmed but not shipped. 330 is not a lot with so many buying these lights. BTW, you can go to Neal’s site and still add 7A to your cart, so I am a bit confused.
Concerning the shipping by DHL comments, my previous battery orders have been coming DHL to USA probably due to international shipping regulations. Those of us who bought batteries and lights might be in a different category from flashlights only, but maybe not. Either way, I hope the orders arrive complete for all of us. And thanks to the team who made this flashlight possible. Exciting time![/quote]
After the holiday we will ask the supplier if they have 7A led available,of available then will ship
The clip looks and feels good in the hand, but I do notice this smoke chrome finish is bad about collecting oil from your fingers.
The clip is stainless steel, right? I don’t think the raw finished clips showed fingerprints. This might be a good reason to go back to the raw finish.
—
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
Thanks for the info.
Your right… Still got about 4 hours though.
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’d like to hear your thoughts on those lights. I can’t buy everything that’s shiny, so I’ve found myself gravitating towards the small 18650 end of the market. If you find time to make that comparison, I’m sure it would help more people than just me. Thanks.
I’m glad people are already receiving some lights. I’m also glad to hear people haven’t had any serious issues. About the only thing mentioned so far is that the retaining ring was loose on some lights… and that’s really easy to fix.
TBH, it’d be nice if the retaining ring on mine had been loose, because then I’d be able to get the driver out. But on mine, the ring is so tight it won’t budge. So I may just leave the firmware on this one alone instead of updating it every year.
Illumn.com
Free Shipping on Domestic Orders Over $50
Bite the bullet, get $50 worth. If you don’t have enough lights to “justify” it… You will, sooner than you think lol.
Get 4 of those, maybe 4 VT6 and 4 GA cells… that ought to cover needs for a few different class of light…
Enabler.
Not bad advice though, if I didn’t have enough cells. I just don’t have any of the lower drain, higher capacity ones that are preferred for this light.
TK, if you have a Harbor Freight Tools near you, they have a cheap set of snap ring pliers that makes retaining ring removal a breeze. It has interchangeable tips, one set of which is straight, not bent.
Most retaining rings are pretty easy to remove. This one is a bit tricky because it’s so narrow. But I’ve been meaning to get some proper snap-ring pliers instead of using machinist calipers.
It might take a bit more than snap ring pliers, I had to use specially hand ground down needle nose pliers to get both of my FW3A driver retainer rings loose….the ring is thin and was very tight. The driver is a tight press fit also, it would not pull out by the spring, had to smack it on my wood bench to pop it out, snapped back in nicely with out popping back out, nice enough to run it with out the retainer ring with out issue. so far..
KB1428 “Live Life WOT”
I don’t doubt they most likely fit and I believe mine will, but remember there is no such thing as 30Q button top.
Now that I have my aluminum FW3As, I find myself wanting one in polished titanium
If the retaining ring is more than finger tight it will break those sh!tty HF snap ring pliers. I’ve broken all 8 from 2 plier sets on one pill. Spend the money for a decent set, it’s cheaper in the long run.
Hello my dear friends!
i made a small review of the FW3A (3D tint)
all new deals are also posted here: deals.m4dm4x.com
if you do not find what you are looking for :
ask MARTIN@M4DM4X.COM - i will save you money!
Totally unrelated….your signature line – from one of my all time favorite movies. You cook good rabbit, pilgrim…
So many lights...so little time
Watch your top-knot……..
Keep your nose in the wind and your eyes along the skyline.
Del Gue
It would look nice with a copper head.
You skin griz pilgrim?
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
You know what I would like?
A copper plated FW3A.
And guess which light is going to be my 2nd prototype for a copper plated light?
My FW3A.
I’ve actually manage to copper plate an aluminium light very recently, and everything worked out wonderfully!
I wish I could show you a picture guys, but I’m planning to make a huge post in my thread about it, and keep it as a surprise.
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
Awesome. It probably looks really nice.
I used to know a guy who did research on how to add a chrome layer to things. He figured out a method which works on virtually anything, and to prove it, he chromed a teddy bear. Like, fur and everything. It was one of the oddest things I’ve ever seen.
I wonder whatever happened to him.
Yeah. It was stupid hard to make a formulation that actually worked on aluminium, and using materials that could be commonly found.
It also was a test to my skills of chemistry and electrochemistry.
About that guy though, there are probably 2 ways to think what happened:
1. He got employed at an electroplating company, and got a very nice pay.
2. He got hurt by hexavalent chromium poisoning.
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
OK
will talk about this, also copper
Omg I’m gonna go broke, glad I have another 12 30Q’s coming from BG…
YAY!!!!!
Would definitely buy a copper version.
Neal wrote: first batch 7A 330pcs nearly sold out,so it will be better to choose the 3D version or wait for the SST20 version[/quote].
Does this mean some of us who ordered the 7A will not receive them or that no additional orders for 7A are appropriate? I ordered both 7A and 3D and am wondering; it is confirmed but not shipped. 330 is not a lot with so many buying these lights. BTW, you can go to Neal’s site and still add 7A to your cart, so I am a bit confused.
Concerning the shipping by DHL comments, my previous battery orders have been coming DHL to USA probably due to international shipping regulations. Those of us who bought batteries and lights might be in a different category from flashlights only, but maybe not. Either way, I hope the orders arrive complete for all of us. And thanks to the team who made this flashlight possible. Exciting time!
Does this mean some of us who ordered the 7A will not receive them or that no additional orders for 7A are appropriate? I ordered both 7A and 3D and am wondering; it is confirmed but not shipped. 330 is not a lot with so many buying these lights. BTW, you can go to Neal’s site and still add 7A to your cart, so I am a bit confused.
Concerning the shipping by DHL comments, my previous battery orders have been coming DHL to USA probably due to international shipping regulations. Those of us who bought batteries and lights might be in a different category from flashlights only, but maybe not. Either way, I hope the orders arrive complete for all of us. And thanks to the team who made this flashlight possible. Exciting time![/quote]
After the holiday we will ask the supplier if they have 7A led available,of available then will ship
If 7A is not available, people would probably also like 5A and 2A.
I ordered 7a to have +-3000k. If not available sst20 3000k will be fine also (at 6 bucks discount
).
The clip looks and feels good in the hand, but I do notice this smoke chrome finish is bad about collecting oil from your fingers.
The clip is stainless steel, right? I don’t think the raw finished clips showed fingerprints. This might be a good reason to go back to the raw finish.
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! I’d prefer either to 7A.
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