FW3A optics issues Announcement Carclo optics Arrive

Watchmydebt · 2019-07-25T02:30:33.000Z

And the o rings are extras

mcdj · 2019-07-25T02:33:43.000Z

Thanks, so I guess this means I definitely waited for 1.5 months for no reason.

So in the even he actually sends the Carclo, which I doubt he will, I drop the new optic, install the glass, and it screws together perfectly? Again, I don’t see how this makes it waterproof.

f0xx · 2019-07-25T02:36:09.000Z

mcdj:

nobody:

Just be sure you don’t have a piece of glass in your packaging somewhere. I chose to wait also. Then Neal said he could ship it immediately with a Carclo 10507. I choose that when he offered. Weeks later when the light arrived, I actually received the plastic. However I also got the glass lens, so I can switch out to a Carclo if I want. At this point though, I’m kinda digging the plastic one. Might change it later. Options are good.

Well what do you know, there was a glass disc hiding in the box! So I dropped it into the front of the unscrewed head, but now the head doesn’t screw all the way down. There are also 2 O-rings…am I supposed to install those somewhere too? If it’s just glass pressing against the optic, not sure how that makes it waterproof.

If you have the new optic and a glass lens, you’ll have to get a carlco optic to replace it before installing the glass lens. The new style is a 2 in 1 and incompatible with the glass lens.

The original Carlco is a 10511, but they have different versions that make more throw or more flood. Get whichever one suites your preference, or get one of each to try them out. I’ll see if I can find a link when I’m back at a computer.

I believe there should be an o-ring between the bezel and the glass or 2 in 1 optic. If you installed a carlco and the glass, you don’t need an additional o-ring between the glass and the optic.

On the cells, they should have some charge (never over discharge a li-ion cell!) as shipped. The ones you have should be wrapped in green, and have exposed metal at either end. The side with holes is the + end and the flat side is the -.

Another test I thought of is to put one into the light. If it lights up, then the issue is likely the charger.

Remember to insert the cells from the head (LED) end for this light, and not from the tail (switch) end so you don’t have to reassemble the tail.

mcdj · 2019-07-25T02:45:40.000Z

Thank you. The kind folks over in the chargers sub forum actually made me realize there was a black sticker covering the end of the batteries. They work fine.

Not sure what you mean 2-in-1. All I know is, with the optic and glass together, it doesnt screw closed all the way.

cabfrank · 2019-07-25T02:52:01.000Z

Do try the optic it came with. It’s probably dark in NYC now. I think you will really like it. I’ve swapped back and forth, and the difference is really negligible. If you don’t compare side to side you won’t notice. By the way, which emitter did you choose?

f0xx · 2019-07-25T03:05:23.000Z

mcdj:

Thank you. The kind folks over in the chargers sub forum actually made me realize there was a black sticker covering the end of the batteries. They work fine.

Not sure what you mean 2-in-1. All I know is, with the optic and glass together, it doesnt screw closed all the way.

There are two versions, one with a separate lens and optic (the glass part is the lens, and the Carlco 10511 is the optic), and one with a combination optic & lens (the new style that was in your light when you got it). I was referring to the second type as a 2 in 1 above.

By most reports, the style you got is very good, however I haven’t tested it personally.

mcdj · 2019-07-25T03:30:36.000Z

I would say the throw is very nice, sort of a mix between a flood and a spot. Very smooth. No hot spots.

So the carclo has a thinner disc that the glass sits on? Or are the feet shorter to make space for the glass?

It’s a sweet light, no doubt, but I really wish it was a medium to dark charcoal grey like the Lumintop pics instead of a light bluish grey.

mattlward · 2019-07-25T03:47:39.000Z

mcdj:

Thanks. By remove bezel, do you mean open the battery compartment and twist out the circuit with some kind of wrench to get to the optic? No wrench here… Don’t see any other way in.

If it is the all plastic 2nd gen, what the heck did I wait a month and a half for? When I ordered the light, there was no message posted about waiting/cancelling/etc. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks later when I went back to track my order that I saw the optic announcement. I was under the impression after reading the announcement that if I didn’t say cancel or ship now, I’d get the glass lens and correct optic.

Check the little baggie in the box… mine came with the gen 2 optic installed and a carclo in the little bag. I do like the beam from the gen 2 better, but like the protection of glass over carclo better.

mcdj · 2019-07-25T04:25:57.000Z

Yeah all I got in the baggie was the glass. And the gen 2 optic is too thick to accommodate both the optic and the glass.

What I’m confused by is the fact that I waited 1.5 months for the light because ostensibly I was supposed to be getting the optic that works with the glass.

f0xx · 2019-07-25T12:47:17.000Z

I think the extra on the newer style optic is on the side where the lens goes. I believe that end is thicker and has a larger circumference so that it can replace both the lens and the optic.

Some days my FW3A looks grey, some days blue. They are working on a titanium version that might fit the bill… a bit more expensive though.

[M4D deal] FW3T Titanium Stonewashed - Interest list open BLF User Negotiated Deals

Hello my dear friends! Neal wants to know how many people want to buy a stonewashed FW3T - so here is the interest list (Post #2) He sent me this prototype pictures: [image] [image] all LEDs will be possible! (same as FW3A) but due to thermal disadvantages of Titanium the SST20 is recommended! price will be around 80 USD (if enough want one 100% possible cheaper) if you want one: please post "I want 1 (or 2/3...) FW3T stonewashed 100%" or: "I am interested in 1 (or 2/3...) FW…

There will also be a polished titanium and copper one coming at some point (better thermals than titanium alone) as well.

Glennac · 2019-07-26T15:45:38.000Z

f0xx:

There will also be a polished titanium and copper one coming at some point (better thermals than titanium alone) as well.

The Copper ones are HERE!

Copper FW3C

f0xx · 2019-07-26T17:52:08.000Z

Glennac:

f0xx:

There will also be a polished titanium and copper one coming at some point (better thermals than titanium alone) as well.

The Copper ones are HERE!

Copper FW3C

Thank you Glennac! They sure do look nice, I’m excited for mine to arrive.

Above I was referring to a version made of titanium and copper. I think there is a picture around here somewhere.

Edit:
Here is a picture -

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

;) [image] [image]

SKV89 · 2019-07-28T19:56:16.000Z

The stock Lumintop optic is really not that bad. I took some measurements for comparison. The stock Lumintop optic produces rosier tint than carclo + stock glass lens. It loses some lumens compared to clear Carclo optic because it is not a clear throw optic. The diffusion reduces output slightly but not as much as a Carclo 10509. If I weren’t able to get my hands on UCL lens, I would actually prefer the Lumintop optic over Carclo + stock lens.

xevious · 2019-08-11T03:06:30.000Z

On Neal’s site, for the FW3A optic trits, he has a few images showing the color choices.

For instance: TRITIUM COLORS.

In the list, there’s only one “BLUE”. Yet, you can see 2 blues here. 1 - light blue, 2 - dark blue. Which one is it?

BOO5TED · 2019-08-11T03:08:15.000Z

The light blue is probably “aqua” or “ice blue”.

xevious · 2019-08-14T04:37:50.000Z

BOO5TED:

The light blue is probably “aqua” or “ice blue”.

That’s what I thought, but the selector just reads “blue”… rather ambiguous. He should probably edit the image to take out those colors he’s not selling… or better yet, expand the selector to be more specific and then indicate which ones aren’t available at the moment.

scosgt · 2019-08-30T21:40:09.000Z

I ordered the tritium optic but never received a shipping notice.
Might be out of stock.

Glennac · 2019-08-31T16:01:54.000Z

scosgt:

I ordered the tritium optic but never received a shipping notice.
Might be out of stock.

I ordered one and a glow gasket exactly two weeks ago, and no shipping info yet either. While I have always received what I ordered from Neal, it’s rarely been speedy. So I often order only what I can’t get elsewhere, and then just wait. It passes out of mind, and is a pleasant surprise the day it arrives.

Chinaheart · 2019-09-07T13:51:05.000Z

Thank you for the update Neal…. Actually he was also responsive with queries on FB msgr….

Tally-ho · 2019-09-07T16:40:33.000Z

Neal:

3.for future optics. the optics company are start to make another prototype to make it same as carclo 10511 optics.
if the result is good,will use that optics in the future.before it in production,will send them to TK,Kay and other reviews to compare.

Are there any news about this optic ? Will it be the same as the 10511 or will it be a bit more frosted like the all in one lumintop optic ?
I like the more diffuse beam of the lumintop optic and it would be nice to have an equivalent but without the extra thickness to use it with a glass lens.