@JaredM, if you make SS bezels lengthened for reflectors and can find a suitable reflector, I’ll buy one. Those are the two biggest changes I’d like to see in this light. DM me if you need a hand with the CAD.
I don’t even have my light yet but I obviously need to source some talon tape(I have used it on my pistols but didn’t know that it came in a roll) some GITD powder and tape and possibly some trit vials…
No doubt that a native BBL SST20 would be a great improvement to these classics. I much prefer native due to the fact that what ever else I decide to do with the light the filter wont affect it
Thanks. Wish I’d known about this earlier, as I already bought some optics. I do have a Dremel and I’d been wanting to get a press for it… seems that now may be a good time to finally do it!
The answer is yes. The thermal tape could be applied to the hottest part of the light and it would insulate it. This would mean you could put your fingers on it and would be less likely to burn them.
However, it would also have a large downside: With the heat unable to get out of the head efficiently, the LEDs and driver are likely to overheat quicker. The light will probably rampdown faster and max sustained output would be lower.
The Talon grip tape I’m using came in uncut sheets.
Take some paper and cut shapes with it then press the paper up against the light, trimming as needed until the paper is in about the right shape. This prevents you wasting grip tape trying to find the right shape.
Take the cut paper shapes and lay them on the underside of the uncut Talon grip tape.
Trace the cut shapes on the underside of the grip tape using a sharpie.
I bought 3 Carclo optics that arrived today: 10507 (narrow spot) , 10509 (frosted wide spot), and 10510 (elliptical spot).
10507: adds a little more throw, slightly tighter spot with still diffused edges. Quite nice if you feel stock could use a little more focused spot.
10509: is wonderfully floody. If anyone has a thing for flood, I recommend getting one. It also reduces moonlight output.
10510: creates an elliptical beam — kind of neat. Useful if you want to have more control of beam spread.
I have to say… having a light that is this easy for changing optics is so damned cool. You really need to get some of these optics to leverage the flexibility of what the FW3A offers.
10507 is pretty ugly with 219B. Smaller central hotspot, larger differently-tinted hotspot around it, and various artifacts. You can even see that annoying little injection molding point in the beam. Same output as 10511 too.
Anyone know any methods for removing the AR coating on the lens? It appears to make the beam a fair bit greener so I’d like to get rid of it. I’ve tried using a polishing abrasive but it only made a few scratches. This method has worked on my A6’s coating before but I guess coatings can vary in hardness.
I have the same with my FW3A with FA3 SST20 leds. The tint is good already but the hotspot is only a tiny bit above the BBL and I hope with an uncoated lens to land right on top. I decided to order a pair of sapphire lenses, they are uncoated and makes the FW3A a bit tougher too I hope.
This is where I got them:
I have bought from them before, and although I can not tell for 100% that it is real sapphire, by the looks and the water droplet test it could be legit.
They are still in the mail, to be delivered today or tomorrow. I can post before/after results on tint.