FW3X Purchase Decision & Initial Impressions
For a fuller (and admittedly much better) actual review, you may want a read the expertly done one from ZeroAir. Lumintop FW3X Lume1 Flashlight Review - ZeroAir Reviews
Let me start by saying that I compare every flashlight (FL) to the NiteCore D 11.2; as an almost perfect (for me) general, but multi-use EDC pocket light. NiteCore D11 V.2 Mark III: a Historical and Real World Review | Candle Power Flashlight Forum
Allow me to continue by saying that my single example FW3X is no “Hank Light”, from Int-Outdoors. The quality of the threads and part fitment, of this one LuminTop (LT) FL, is not up to the quality of any FL I have examined from Int-Outdoors.
I will, however, say that my single FW3X has better fit-n-finish than any of the other FWs I own. Specifically anodizing on the: bezel, body, and head closely match. And, that the knurling is crisper than that of any LT FL I’ve ever handled.
The two main interrelated reasons I even considered taking a chance on the LT QA lottery were nothing to even do with LT. They were, ToyKeeper’s board specifically updated awesome Andúril software for the latest version of Loneoceans’ Lumin1 Driver; the one with the lone centralized secondary RGB LED. Lume1-FW3X: Constant Current Buck-Boost & FET Driver with Anduril1/2 + RGB Aux (Also, I’m a sucker for black-n-silver EDC gear.)
But, it was pure serendipitous circumstance which actually pushed me into taking a known risk on a LT FL. A few weeks ago, while perusing BLF, I discovered the FW3X; something until then I didn’t even know existed. Just curious enough to see what new flavor of the week this FW was, I headed over to the LT site. There I found, in its final twenty minutes, a 60% off flash sale for the FW3X.
I had previously acquired several spare miscellaneous parts for repairing other FWs. After a very quick search to understand if these parts could be used with LT’s version, of the Lumin1 driver version, of the FW, I had just a few minutes to make a somewhat hasty decision. With basically: a free battery, half-off, and free shipping; I decided to actually take the chance.
Even with LT’s COVID lockdown/shipping warning, it only took 10 days to receive my new order. Almost half of that time was taken up by regular mail service; once the order had arrived in the country.
From the problematic way my brand new FL operated, right out of the box, I knew I had to perform the following on my brand new FL.
- Remove excess lubricant from the head; for it was smeared out on the body/head interface.
- Clean the switch tube.
- Tighten the very loose aluminum bezel.
- Tighten the very loose driver circuit board retaining ring; for it partially backed out while retrieving the battery isolation disk.
- Tighten the slightly loose switch board retaining ring.
- Clear the e-switch of FOD.
(Something of note: The optics on my FL are not frosted, as is shown on the LT website, which leads me to believe LT is just throwing in anything they have available.)
After six fixes, my new FL performed relatively well for an entire week of dual EDC duty: daily and work. That’s not to say I didn’t have any problems. I experienced the known too easy to accidentally operate e-switch issue. And, I also had to get used to two software related issues; neither of which were ToyKeeper’s fault. The first software issue was the already known extremely slow battery voltage readout flashes; due to LT incorrectly burning ATTiny fuses. The second was me simply having to get used to the timing of button presses.
I couldn’t be bothered to correctly load software. (Something else to Note: This board specific version does have a couple of operational differences from the UI card LT included.) But, as I decided to keep the light, I performed two upgrades. The first upgrade was the o-ring/e-switch mod. FW3A FW3C FW3T tailcap button mod - o-ring helps but click doesn't always trigger The second was switching out the black anodized aluminum bezel for a shiny silver stainless steel one. (Remember, I’m a sucker for black-n-silver EDC gear.)
The surprising thing is the bling factor that last seemingly mundane update accomplished. Not only is the shiny metal showier, its added reflectivity makes the light show of the secondary RGB LED more dramatic. Not Hank light fantastic, but noticeably multifaceted - greater.
4/24 Original post on Budget Light Forum (BLF)
4/26 FW3X started flickering, performed TS w/ no positive results
4/28 First email to LumenTop (LT)
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subsequent emails to LT, after no resolve claim with PayPay (PP)
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5/19 PP Refund
5/20 This Update on BLF
Question: Is it worth trying again?