Drop-in TIR Optics for FW1A / FW1A Pro mods

[dognodding]

For the last couple of months, I’ve been trying to find suitable TIR optics for my FW1A (Pro) mods.

I found some links / hints on various threads here (e.g. this one) and on reddit (e.g. this one). Unfortunatly (or so I thought - see below), most of these were no longer available, except for the Ledil Leila ones.

However, not long ago, I realised that my search was actually being hampered by my location - the stores and items linked on AliExpress were simply not available in my country. When, by accident, I was searching while connected to my VPN server in the UK, I could suddenly see the items. I’m glad I didn’t give up the search before I noticed that.

Because a few people have been asking for the source of TIR optics for FW1As / FW1A Pros after I posted my mods, I thought it would be useful to post my findings here, along with some photos to compare them.

The TIR optics I found so far that are drop-ins for the FW1A / FW1A Pro are the following:

Jarmay MUAW-2205 5 degree

Yajiamei XPG 15 degree beaded (also available clear and 10 degree - I haven’t been able to try these other ones yet)

Ledil Leila LXM-RS 14 degree clear

Ledil Leila LXM-D 20 degree frosted

Ledil Leila LXM-M 30 degree beaded

Slight modifications (a bit of filing) are needed for the Jarmay and Yajiamei optics for them to fit perfectly. The Ledil Leila optics need a 23mm diameter, 1.5mm thick O-ring to hold them in place as their diameter is a little smaller than inner diameter of the FW1A bezel.

Only the Yajiamei fits in the FW1A Pro with its 5050 emitter footprint, and not for all emitters. I ruined the stock XHP50.2 by knocking the dome off, for example, but the optic is able to sit on top of an SFT-40 with its metal rim.

The following beamshots might be of interest. These are taken with my phone, with white balance set to 4500K and exposure, shutter speed and ISO all fixed. They show the different optics in my FW1A mod with a 5700K domed 519A:

FW1A, 5700K 519A, Jarmay MUAW-2205

FW1A, 5700K 519A, Yajiamei XPG

FW1A, 5700K 519A, Ledil Leila LXM-RS

FW1A, 5700K 519A, Ledil Leila LXM-D

FW1A, 5700K 519A, Ledil Leila LXM-M

The following photos show what the optics look like with Aux-LEDs behind:

Orange, pink and ice-blue Aux behind Jarmay MUAW-2205

Orange, pink and ice-blue Aux behind Yajiamei XPG

Orange, pink and ice-blue Aux behind Ledil Leila LXM-RS

Orange, pink and ice-blue Aux behind Ledil Leila LXM-D

Orange, pink and ice-blue Aux behind Ledil Leila LXM-M

[Gunga]

How do you like them? I have an FW1A coming and have to admit I like optic beams. I guess it kinda defeats the purpose of the throw somewhat but I do like them.

[dognodding]

Depends on the purpose and probably the emitter. I haven’t finished experimenting with them yet.

I think the Jarmay will be good for a throwier high-CRI 519A light. I just put it in my latest mod and will try it out when it gets dark.

The Yajiamei goes well with (and is the only one I could get to fit) an SFT40 in an FW1A Pro.

The Ledil Leila LXM-D and LXM-M are good for a floodier light. I was using the LXM-D for this, but just switched my 519A stainless steel FW1A to the floodier LXM-M. The jury is still out on which I prefer.

I’ve still to find a use for the LXM-RS, but I have some more mods in the queue, so perhaps I’ll find a good combination for it.

[treellama]

I ordered a few of the Jarmays to try in my FW1A. I like the throw a lot better, but I am getting rings that don’t show up in your beam shots. Mine fit without modification–did you sand the little legs off yours?

[dognodding]

@treellama

did you sand the little legs off yours?

Yes, I did take the legs off. I had to because of the AUX board I added.

[dognodding]

@treellama

I am getting rings that don’t show up in your beam shots

You can’t see it in the photo, but there is a faint ring around the hotspot on mine.
What emitter are you using? In mine (and in the photo), it’s a domed 519A.

[treellama]

Mine is a domed 519A too. It’s probably the height adjustment. Maybe I’ll try to track down an aux board—it already has a lume1 from the first batch. Thanks!

[dognodding]

Note that the optic doesn’t sit on the Aux board in my lights.

The reason I took the legs off the optic is that they would have knocked the Aux LEDs off. The consequence is that the optic then sits lower, fitting throuh the hole in the Aux board and sitting on the MCPCB.

So if you remove the legs, the optic will sit lower with or without an Aux board.