3 in 1 review. At the end there will be a summary for those who like only particulars, in each topic I will color the key sentences for those who read a little more (and don't like my sense of humor and want to be sad), and a long waffling for everyone else. Enjoy!
For VERY large photos: click -> on the photo page right click -> "Open image in new tab"
This flashlight was provided by Neal, owner of the www.nealsgadgets.com
Flashlight: https://www.nealsgadgets....-edc-flashlight
Table of Contents:
- General parameters
- Package content
- Appearance, parameters
- UI, runtime
- PWM
- Waterproof
- Light pattern, tint
- Beamshots
- Usage and my experiences
- Nitpicking
- Gallery
- Summary
Slightly more expensive than FW3A
LED: SST20 4000K / XP-L HI WW/NW/CW / XP-L HD CW / Nichia 219C 4000K
UI: Anduril
Driver: FET+7+1
Flux: 1200lm for XP-L CW
My measurements (Mocarny lumens) - after 5s of flashing, with Sanyo NCR18650GA:
XP-L HI 1A: 1240lm
XP-L HD 1A: 1560lm
SST20 4000K: 870lm
Throw: 370m (ANSI - so less throw in reality)
Switch: E-switch
Battery: 18650 unprotected, max 66mm
Flashlights came in well known cardboard boxes - the same as FW3A's packaging
And I've got 3 flashlights, idk why, because I was asking about one, but...whatever
And inside our flash...of course first thing we can see is this "DON'T DISASSEMBLE THE TAIL!!!!!"
Remember!
And there is also a manual and two spare o-rings.
Packaging is great, I'm rating it 5
On the side note, if you're wondering how I write this review
That's exactly how. Reaching the keyboard through all this boxes
Yes, I have a flour on my desk...
And it's been here for...well, what year was that... 
Yeah, that's the stuff! It's even better working now.
Ok nevermind
Size: 100.8mm x 25,5mm. So a bit longer than FW3A
Weight: 57,3g
I got 3 versions - with XP-L HD, HP-L HI CW and SST20 4000K
From left to right:
- Bezel with o-ring, AR coated glass lens
- OP reflector
Well made, everything is good
- LED with a gasket, on DTP MCPCB
- And everything is the same as in FW3A, all threads are the same
with interchangeable parts.. So you can swap parts from your FW3A colors or different materials version and make unique style FW1A
This problem with parts falling from the tailcap has been fixed - all parts stayed even when I dropped my tailcap on the floor.
And two comparison photos - every size is the same, except this higher bezel.
- E-switch has now clicky sound and is great!
UI
Anduril! (this Anduril version doesn't have a Factory Reset option, so be careful when clicking)
Everything about Anduril in this thread:
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/54947
Runtime
Stepped ramping, mode 4, SST20 ~ 145lm
But it lowers the output to about 100lm and was shining ~ 10h
And about 1,5min on 5th mode ~ 250lm
2 min of full power
Lightweight, so it overheats quickly
Yes, noticable PWM, on the lowest level. Very fast PWM, not a big deal.
Not visible on higher levels.
IPX8
But let's submerge it for 2h
After 2h, no moisture inside on lens or anywhere else. Test passed.
Focused light, could be more floody, but now it's a small thrower
The dot in the center is the center of the beam (approx.), each line at an interval of 15cm.
You can see differences in XP-L HI and HD tints, personally I like the HI tint more, but on the other hand, HD has better light pattern - more floody light.
And some comparisons:
And light tint and pattern of FW1A and S2+. More floody S2+, but more greenish too
ISO200, t2s, f/3,5 WB set to sunlight
Let's light up the forest
Comparing FW1A to FW3A...
FW3A rules
My first thought after a night forest walk: too focused light. FW3A is definitely better for night walking. But thanks to the greater range, FW1A is better wherever ... greater range is needed. Well ... in the forest I also preferred the range of FW1A over FW3A, it throws further on almost 3 times less brightness. Hard choice - I need range and floody light, so something in between would be perfect. I can't decide which one I prefer to get when walking in the forest. I'll leave it to you: ;)
Do I recommend it? Hmm ... Design cooler than FW3A (I know, I know, it's only about 1cm longer, that's it ... - but it looks cooler) but less power and more expensive, not that much though. Bigger range ... I don't know. Certainly a nice addition to the collection, but on the practical side it could have more flood and power - so there comes FW1A Pro
Don't get me wrong - the flashlight is really well made and very cool, but with the cheaper FW3A, I don't see much sense to pay extra for the weaker version. FW1A was crushed between FW3A and FW1A Pro.
FW1A - younger but taller brother of FW3A. The choice of LEDs is the same as in FW3A, but as you can guess, there is only one LED and the OP reflector. This gives less lumens compared to its...father (FW3A), but better range and focused light. A little higher price. So I can say that FW1A is such a tiny thrower. A good flashlight that I can recommend ... for those who like FW3A but want more range with longer battery life. All threads are compatible with the FW3A version.
Pros:
+ nice e-switch with clicky sound
+ Anduril
+ IPX8
+ small and practical
Cons:
- too throwy
- I wish there is XP-L HD 5000K
- overheats quickly
About host - threads, knurling o-rings and so on
Ocena: 9,5/10
About light - UI, tint and so on
Ocena: 8,5/10
1 - very bad flashlight hurts to look at, terrible quality, not worth any (even very low) price
5 - average flashlight - for the average, non flashaholic person "great"
10 - flashlight meets all my expectations in a given category (e.g EDC, headlamp, thrower), it's durable and neatly made, perfect light tint, worth its (even slightly inflated) price
