FW3A, a TLF/BLF EDC flashlight - SST-20 available, coupon codes public

[JasonWW]

@mundele

Did you polish the center one?

He had to. Probably machined a groove near the head to reverse the clip as well. It looks real good! :partying_face:

[trakcon]

@KawiBoy1428

I like the original switch and I think a longer nub will help, so your not pushing the button twice as far down to trigger the switch…and not cocking the button to get that gritty feel…. I’ll give it a try…

I look forward to seeing your results. I plan on ordering at least 3 more once the SST-20s come around, but reports of gritty switches has me concerned.

[KawiBoy1428]

@JasonWW

@mundele

Did you polish the center one?

He had to. Probably machined a groove near the head to reverse the clip as well. It looks real good! :partying_face:

Nope… no groove grinding, body is still stock….

[KawiBoy1428]

@mundele

Did you polish the center one?

Yes in the beginning by hand with some Mothers Billet polish….not very professional but it worked meh ok.

But now it was done on a buffing wheel with the good stuff… This is just off the buffer….

Along with my wife’s little sinner triple… Titanium really is tough….PITA to polish, needs a BIT MORE :person_facepalming:

[cabfrank]

They look perfect!

[Klayking]

FW3A looks great polished. Wonderful job you did on that one!

[Lick]

Is the SST-20 really green at low levels? Seems like aside from makku's test nobody else claims it was greenish. I don't see how the LH351D is green either.

[ToyKeeper]

@Lick

Is the SST–20 really green at low levels? Seems like aside from makku’s test nobody else claims it was greenish. I don’t see how the LH351D is green either.

Typically, yes, the SST-20 and LH351D tend to have positive duv at low power levels… but the tint gets colder and the duv goes down at higher power levels.

If that doesn’t make sense, duv is the delta u-v on a tint graph, or the distance from the “pure white” blackbody locus line (BBL). Positive duv looks more green or yellow… while negative duv tends to look more purple or pink.

In general, most people prefer somewhat pink tints. So those are what we generally aim for. But it’s difficult to get pink-biased LEDs… especially when looking for high-power LEDs which will often be used at low power levels. LED companies spec their lights at full power, not at the low levels often used in a flashlight.

For example, the SST-20 FA3 tint is approximately at the same place on that graph as the Cree 5A1 bin… so it should be pretty pink. But when it’s running at low power, it still has a positive duv, closer to 5B4 on the graph above. And when it’s running closer to full power, the tint is actually where the specs say it should be, and it looks nicely rose-tinted.

So SST-20 isn’t recommended for people who have a strong preference for rosy tint and plan to use the lights primarily at low power levels. But it’s fine for people who use mostly brighter modes or who don’t care so much about the duv.

[Tejasandre]

My niches will be in tomorrow the post office says.

[Geuzzz]

@ToyKeeper

@Lick

Is the SST–20 really green at low levels? Seems like aside from makku’s test nobody else claims it was greenish. I don’t see how the LH351D is green either.

Typically, yes, the SST-20 and LH351D tend to have positive duv at low power levels… but the tint gets colder and the duv goes down at higher power levels.

If that doesn’t make sense, duv is the delta u-v on a tint graph, or the distance from the “pure white” blackbody locus line (BBL). Positive duv looks more green or yellow… while negative duv tends to look more purple or pink.

In general, most people prefer somewhat pink tints. So those are what we generally aim for. But it’s difficult to get pink-biased LEDs… especially when looking for high-power LEDs which will often be used at low power levels. LED companies spec their lights at full power, not at the low levels often used in a flashlight.

For example, the SST-20 FA3 tint is approximately at the same place on that graph as the Cree 5A1 bin… so it should be pretty pink. But when it’s running at low power, it still has a positive duv, closer to 5B4 on the graph above. And when it’s running closer to full power, the tint is actually where the specs say it should be, and it looks nicely rose-tinted.

So SST-20 isn’t recommended for people who have a strong preference for rosy tint and plan to use the lights primarily at low power levels. But it’s fine for people who use mostly brighter modes or who don’t care so much about the duv.

I agree with you, but if you go warmer it isn’t the case.

I see a lot of warnings for the sst20 tint on lower levels, but the 3000k sst20s I got from KD are really nice on low levels.

I know 3000k is to warm for some of you, but who wants their bedroom to look like a cold operation room

I think it would be a good option to with the 3000k sst20s instead of 7a xpl hi and they keep 219c for the 4000k version.

[M4D_M4X]

;)

[electricjelly]

oooo, ahhhh. Is that one on the right titanium and copper? That looks like it would take flame anodizing quite nicely if so.

[bigtrav261]

@M4D M4X

[Tally-ho]

The FW3A unanodized (Ti/Cu ?) looks much better even less polished because a buffing wheel rounds off all those angles, rounded angles don”t look good to me.

[KawiBoy1428]

The FW3A unanodized (Ti/Cu ?) looks much better even less polished because a buffing wheel rounds off all those angles, rounded angles don”t look good to me.

Mine is getting BUFFED UP to a Mirror finish. In case I need to check my Grill or Comb my wig….

[Tally-ho]

While checking new arrivals on fasttech :
Authentic LUMINTOP FW3A LED Flashlight : $49.95 with the code MAP : $38.85

[Johm]

Nice…

On the product page for the Neutral White model it says:

LIGHT SOURCE COLOR 3500-5500K

Are they going to send the 3D or 7A tint at random?

[acab]

@Tally-ho

$38.85

Thanks for the link - interesting price point that is very close to the GB agreement internally.

@Johm

The description says:
“Cree XP-L HI 3D(NW 5000K) and Cree XP-L HI 7A(WW 3300K) LED
Cree XP-L HI 1A(CW 6500K)”

so when selecting the tint, this is what they would send out.
Not every tint/LED is available, if you can’t put it into the basket, the item is sold out (like the Nichia currently?)

[Johm]

@acab

I’m afraid i can’t find the information you are referring to.

Sku 9699017 does not specify more than 3500-5500 for me and there is no other listing or selection for NW.

[acab]

sorry, I was referring to nealsgadget, not Fasttech.

FT only has two models, not the others.

cold and neutral white (warm emitter was left out? and no nichia?)

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1601/10017693/9699017

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1601/10017693/9699016

edit: I do know what you mean, the tint range is wrong in the item description. I am assuming (!), that the neutral is not the warm white emitter.