FandyFire S3
Overall Rating 
Summary:
| Battery: | 1x16340 or 123a |
| Switch: | tailcap clicky |
| Modes: | H>M>L>Fast Strobe>SOS Next Mode Memory |
| LED Type: | XM-L T6 |
| Lens: | Glass |
| Tailstands: | Yes |
| Price Paid: | Review Sample - Retail $21.70 |
| From: | LightsCastle Link |
| Date Ordered: | 07/15/13 |
From the LightsCastle Website
Description
| Brand | FandyFire |
| Modes | 5 |
| Battery Configuration | 1 x 16340 / 123A |
| Brightness | 600 |
Dimensions: 3.70 in x 0.94 in x 0.94 in (9.4 cm x 2.4 cm x 2.4 cm)
Model: S3
Emitter Brand/Type: Cree
Emitter BIN: XM-LT6
Color BIN: White
Total Emitters: 1
Battery Configurations: 1 x 16340 / 123A
Rechargeable: No
Battery included: No
Voltage Input: 0.8~4.2V
Circuitry (mA): 1500
Brightness (lumen): 600
Modes: 5
Mode Memory:No Goes to next mode
Mode Arrangement: High > Mid > Low > Fast Strobe > SOS
Switch Type: Clicky
Switch Location: Tail-cap
Lens: Glass Lens
Reflector: Aluminum Smooth/SMO
Carying Strap: No
Weight: 57.00 g
Pros: Small, Light weight, great color, Love the clip. Good overall fit and finish. Very bright.
Cons: Next mode memory
From here I go my separate way. I will discuss the light as I show photos:
The led is well centered in the SMO reflector. A little too much solder was used during reflow.
Stainless tail cap
Body/head threads. They were lubed. They are not super smooth, nor are they gritty, just average.
Head/body threads and driver. It appears that the driver is not fully seated, but unless I were to disassemble, I can't swear to it. It looks like it was tested at the factory. To load the battery, you unscrew the head from the body and drop the battery in from the top.
I only found a couple minor blemishes on the light. Here and in the photo below. These were blems that were done prior to Anodizing. The top one is probably contamination that did not allow the Ano to stick and the bottom photo shows inclusions that probably came from parts hitting each other in storage bins before plating.
All the O rings were in place. I found one that had been shaved a little during assembly.
The tail cap and rubber boot removed. Threads were dry, but that's ok. It should not be removed under normal conditions. It was not super tight and came out easily.
Inside is the switch and the assembly can be unscrewed via the two holes, with needle nosed pliers.
Looking inside the body at the spring.
Stainless bezel
The led sits on a shelf. The head is one piece with the shelf made into it. No removable pill here and most likely no easy way to mod it. Not enough metal to really go hog wild and put a 3 amp driver in it, at least I wouldn't. It's bright enough as it is. Lots of thermal paste in there. Maybe too much, but at least it's in there and spread out evenly.
Glass lens looks to be coated. GITD O ring is a nice touch.
The reflector is aluminum and has a good plating job on it.
Overall - This is a Very nice light. It's light, it's very bright and it has a nice strong clip. I really like this little light. The fit and finish is good and better than the other lights I will review. The only down side, for me, is that next mode memory. It should have been mode memory, so it would turn on where you left it at.
Beam Shots
Like I said, it's bright. My Amp readings were 1.70 amps on High, .72 amps on Medium and .34 amps on Low. That was with a fresh TF Flame 16340 battery.
Thank You to LightsCastle for sending me samples to review. I'm not the best reviewer in the world, but maybe I will improve..... or not....
That's all folks..........
-Rick