Been looking to update my outdated lights and want a new flooder and a new thrower. Lumintow x9l-c and fw21 pro v2 are at the top of the list. I want single cell and Aduril. I like the looks of the FW series, but I have read a few places that they cheapened out on drivers and stuff on various lights.
What are some other lights that fit my two requirements I should look at?
Why not both?
A lot more options than I care to link in Hanklights. The beauty is that you can customize some options to your liking.
I ran the FW3A project and I wouldn’t buy a FW-based light these days.
I don’t know what the current state of things is, but last I heard, the FW lights all had their drivers and hosts downgraded, and were using old Anduril 1 firmware which didn’t even fit the hardware. Like, the hardware didn’t have the power circuitry the firmware was trying to control, because those chips were removed in pursuit of cha bu duo “value engineering”. Or a lot have had Anduril removed entirely.
Instead, I’d personally get a Hanklight or two, and the flashing adapter for them (to be able to easily update or customize firmware). Hank’s quality and support are consistently good, and he has the best-looking LEDs on the market (in my opinion, but this is very subjective), some of the most advanced and most efficient drivers, and also very good performance.
For a compact thrower, I personally really like the Emisar DA1 with W1 LED and RGB button. Ideally in shorty form (18350 tube), since this makes it one of the smallest throwers and I don’t need a lot of runtime, so I can forget about it in my purse until I need it. But I don’t need it often.
For EDC / flood purposes, I’ve been mostly using a KR1AA with NTG50 4200K LED and a 14500 cell. It’s like a smaller, nicer FW3A. Or there’s the KR3 which is very similar but 18650 sized. But for an EDC bigger than 14500, I mostly use a DA1K with that same NTG50 4200K LED, and some DC-Fix on the lens. The 21700 cell lasts me like half a year per charge.
That’s just my personal preference though. Everyone is different.
Its a cool light, but ugly as hell lol. I know looks are subjective and really shouldnt play a role in a flashlight, but they do to me
I remember following the FW3A development and got one on the original group buy. It was a pretty awesome time for the forum.
I got a KR1AA with the NTG50 4200k about a week ago, and its pretty much been within reach since.
Im not really seeing anything from Hank that is interesting me thrower wise. The E90 Blaze TIR with FFL707RD 4200K and the reflector version with FFL909A 4000K are catching my eye right now.
Been away from the forum for quite some time and theres been a lot of lights that have come and gone from the market… Just looking for suggestions on what to look at these days.
If you insist on anduril then you have probably looked at everything available because there are not many manufacturers that use it. I like anduril.
Convoy does have "some"models where the core functions of the UI are basically identical. Some other manufacturers are in a similar position.
You would have to lay out a lot more criteria if willing to budge.
The KR3 is awesome! LumeX1 driver, 18350 tube available. It’s a way better, modern FW3A. I never got a FW3A, but TK is right. Lumintop has renoved Anduril from ALL their new FW based lights and theyve all got linear drivers now FET+1 (7135 for the low modes). Basically cheapened out (and probably not using name brand LEDs anymore either). You’re better off going Fireflies or Hamk, either Z1 or KR3 or D1 or KR1K.
A while back Lumintop switched from a FET+7+1 to a FET+1 because there was a shortage of 7135 chips.
All of the newer 18650/21700 FWs I’ve seen have the FET+7+1 again.
Unfortunately @ToyKeeper is correct they are shipping with Anduril not Anduril2.
If you have the equipment(soldering iron and flasher) you can upgrade them to Anduril2.
I’m a HUGE fan of the FW Series and EDC a FW3A literally Every Day.
That said, FET/7135 is older tech and it does use PWM which can cause issues for some people.
I would much prefer a modern Buck+FET with flashing pads but in my opinion nothing comes close to my FW3A(I don’t own a KR3 yet).
I currently own 6 FWs and had 13 at one point.
I’ve upgraded most of them to a @YBF650 T1616 Driver with Aux and Anduril2.
I just went and looked at the X9L-C and FW21 Pro v2, and Anduril is not mentioned at all in the descriptions, but the FW1A does say Anduril 2.
Correct yes, the FW1A and the resurrected FWAA fron Neal all have Anduril (Neals have Anduril2 unless that changed).