Lumintop/EDC

Lumintop FW3A

Name: Lumintop FW3A
Brand: Lumintop
Price: 42 USD
Availability: InStock

The original Anduril triple that started the tube light craze. The FW3A's tail e-switch and slim profile make it a classic EDC choice that still holds up.

Beam profile

Flood, about 37° wide. Wide and even — light where you are, not where you're pointing.

Estimated from 2,800 lm ÷ 8,500 cd — how this works

$42

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Specifications

Output: 2800lm
Peak intensity: 8500cd
Beam distance: 184m
Emitter: SST-20 4000K
Colour rendering: 95 CRI
Beam type: Flood
Cell: 18650
Runtime: 1 hr (turbo)
Modes: Ramping + Stepped
Interface: Anduril
Water/dust: IP67
Dimensions: 3.9 x 1.0 in
Weight: 2.0 oz
Warranty: 1 Year

Manufacturer figures, measured to ANSI FL1 where the brand states it.

Features

High CRI (90+)Anduril UI Pocket Clip Waterproof (IP67+)Tail Switch

What owners report

Lumintop FW3A/5 sources reviewed

A community-designed light that owners still describe in superlatives: possibly the ultimate enthusiast EDC. It's one of the shortest 18650 lights made, the shape is about as good as an 18650 pocket light can be, and reviewers say the diamond-cut knurling is better executed than on lights costing several times more. Anduril gives a low that's a whisper below one lumen and a high of 2,800.

The faults are real and specific. Some batches squeak and have an uncomfortable switch. The quickfire button makes it stupidly easy to reconfigure something in Anduril by accident — changing ramping modes when you meant to leave turbo is the classic. The head passes 80°C on turbo and Lumintop themselves suggest ten-second bursts. Because output is unrelenting in a small body, it needs unprotected cells. And the pocket clip ring stands proud of the body enough to become a hotspot in the hand.

Consistently praised

One of the shortest 18650 lights made, with near-ideal pocket geometry
Diamond-cut knurling better executed than on far more expensive lights
Anduril, with a sub-lumen low and a 2,800-lumen high
Spectacular build quality for a sub-$40 light
A genuine community design rather than a marketing exercise

Common complaints

The head exceeds 80°C on turbo; Lumintop advises ten-second bursts only
The quickfire switch makes accidental Anduril reconfiguration easy
Some batches squeak and have an uncomfortable switch
Requires unprotected cells because of the output and form factor
The pocket clip ring stands proud and creates a pressure point

Questions people ask

How hot does turbo really get?: Over 80°C at the head, and Lumintop's own guidance is to use turbo in ten-second bursts. This isn't a light you run flat out — it's a light that can produce a lot of light briefly.
Why does it need unprotected cells?: The current draw is high enough that a protected cell's circuit can trip, and the tube is sized tight. Use a good-quality unprotected high-drain 18650.
What's the accidental-reconfiguration problem?: The switch is very quick to actuate, and Anduril's menus respond to click counts — so an extra click while trying to exit turbo can land you in a configuration menu. Learning the lockout helps.
Is it still worth buying?: It's an enthusiast's light with known quirks rather than a polished product. If you want the shape and the Anduril experience at the price, yes. If you want something that just works, no.

Sources (5)