joema
Flashlight Enthusiast
Pros: smallest available regulated 123A light, variable programmable output, quality construction and feel, good beam design, good beam quality, excellent output, very dim low level.
Cons: slight amount of battery rattle, operation possibly intimidating for unsophisticated users.
Detailed review:
The Fire~FlyIII is a very small, variable output, twist switch light using a rechargeable protected RCR123A battery and Luxeon III emitter, made by Spark Illuminations, run by CPF member Dspeck.
It can use a non-rechargeable CR123A but without max output. The mfg says it shouldn't be used with unprotected RCR123A batteries. Price is $130, including battery and Nano charger.
Construction is aluminum with a copper heatsink. Size: 64mm x 19 mm (pocket body), 20mm (bezel dia.). The key lug body version is about 4 mm longer. Surface is black type III hard anodized. Light will tail stand (candle mode) with either body style. Measured weight (with battery) is 58 grams, vs 38g for the Peak Caribbean and 76g for an HDS U60.
The FF3 has three brightness levels, of which two are user selectable (out of 20 available levels). Five available user interfaces can be selected. The simplest default interface provides low/high/max, the more involved ones include SOS, strobe flash, and various other options. One mode allows the light to remember the output level at which it was turned off. The user can select low to come on first, or high to come on first. The user can switch between user interfaces based on preference. Light is controlled by an microcontroller using FluPIC firmware v. 2.1.
Brightness levels are selected with a simple on/off/on sequence, not by progressively turning the twist switch further. This gives a precise feel, and makes one-hand operation easier than other multi-level twist lights requiring more rotation. Twist switch on both my FF3s is very smooth, with the perfect amount of resistance -- a good precision feel.
Output on max is very bright. simple lux meter reflection tests indicate it's 25% brighter than an HDS U60, which would theoretically be 75 lumens. However the mfg says max output isn't designed for continuous use. Lux meter reflection tests show the default "high" output level is very roughly 42 lumens, about equal to an HDS U42 or U60 on level 2.
Lowest available output level is very dim. Comparing to my HDS U60 which is 0.08 lumens on low, I'd estimate it only a little brighter, say 0.2 lumens. This is dim enough to totally preserve night vision.
Beam design is good; hotspot beam angle is about 8 degrees, a little wider than a Peak Caribbean. Spillbeam beam angle is about 70 degrees, about equal to an HDS U60. However the measured spillbeam brightness is about double the HDS U60. This provides a flood characteristic at close range, yet the hotspot retains useful throw. Beam appearance is fairly good; there are some very faint swirls and inclusions visible at some output levels and distances.
Beam color is good, visually appearing very white. My two FF3s are almost identical in beam brightness and tint.
Summary: A very impressive product. It's essentially a pint-size HDS U60, but gives up nothing in output. It could also be considered a shortened Peak Caribbean with variable programmable output. Excellent overall handling and feel.
Many would find it too large for keychain use, but it's very compact -- smaller a pocket body Peak Caribbean, yet with about 2x the output (albeit on max, which is short-term use only). It's the same diameter and only 4mm longer than a Jil CR2 1.3w (UP), yet it's 123A-powered.
Run time wasn't measured.
FluPIC operation took a little familiarization, but isn't bad once you're used to it.
Instruction manual is well written and far more extensive than some other high end lights (e.g, HDS). However it could use a few enhancements such as a "quick start" page, more detailed examples of how to operate the interface, and bezel disassembly instructions.
Negatives: As typical with limited production lights, a little dust on the reflector. A very little battery rattle. Max output is impressive but not designed for continuous use. FluPIC operation OK for Flashaholics, likely indimidating for regular people. However the simple user interface #1 is just low/high/max/off.
Below: HDS U60, FF3, Peak Caribbean (pocket body)
Below: Surefire U2, HDS U60, Peak Caribbean, FF3, Arc AAA-P
Below: Peak Caribbean, HDS U60 (max), FF3 (max)
Below: Peak Caribbean, HDS U60 (max), FF3 (max)
Below: HDS U60 (max), FF3 (max), Peak Caribbean
Cons: slight amount of battery rattle, operation possibly intimidating for unsophisticated users.
Detailed review:
The Fire~FlyIII is a very small, variable output, twist switch light using a rechargeable protected RCR123A battery and Luxeon III emitter, made by Spark Illuminations, run by CPF member Dspeck.
It can use a non-rechargeable CR123A but without max output. The mfg says it shouldn't be used with unprotected RCR123A batteries. Price is $130, including battery and Nano charger.
Construction is aluminum with a copper heatsink. Size: 64mm x 19 mm (pocket body), 20mm (bezel dia.). The key lug body version is about 4 mm longer. Surface is black type III hard anodized. Light will tail stand (candle mode) with either body style. Measured weight (with battery) is 58 grams, vs 38g for the Peak Caribbean and 76g for an HDS U60.
The FF3 has three brightness levels, of which two are user selectable (out of 20 available levels). Five available user interfaces can be selected. The simplest default interface provides low/high/max, the more involved ones include SOS, strobe flash, and various other options. One mode allows the light to remember the output level at which it was turned off. The user can select low to come on first, or high to come on first. The user can switch between user interfaces based on preference. Light is controlled by an microcontroller using FluPIC firmware v. 2.1.
Brightness levels are selected with a simple on/off/on sequence, not by progressively turning the twist switch further. This gives a precise feel, and makes one-hand operation easier than other multi-level twist lights requiring more rotation. Twist switch on both my FF3s is very smooth, with the perfect amount of resistance -- a good precision feel.
Output on max is very bright. simple lux meter reflection tests indicate it's 25% brighter than an HDS U60, which would theoretically be 75 lumens. However the mfg says max output isn't designed for continuous use. Lux meter reflection tests show the default "high" output level is very roughly 42 lumens, about equal to an HDS U42 or U60 on level 2.
Lowest available output level is very dim. Comparing to my HDS U60 which is 0.08 lumens on low, I'd estimate it only a little brighter, say 0.2 lumens. This is dim enough to totally preserve night vision.
Beam design is good; hotspot beam angle is about 8 degrees, a little wider than a Peak Caribbean. Spillbeam beam angle is about 70 degrees, about equal to an HDS U60. However the measured spillbeam brightness is about double the HDS U60. This provides a flood characteristic at close range, yet the hotspot retains useful throw. Beam appearance is fairly good; there are some very faint swirls and inclusions visible at some output levels and distances.
Beam color is good, visually appearing very white. My two FF3s are almost identical in beam brightness and tint.
Summary: A very impressive product. It's essentially a pint-size HDS U60, but gives up nothing in output. It could also be considered a shortened Peak Caribbean with variable programmable output. Excellent overall handling and feel.
Many would find it too large for keychain use, but it's very compact -- smaller a pocket body Peak Caribbean, yet with about 2x the output (albeit on max, which is short-term use only). It's the same diameter and only 4mm longer than a Jil CR2 1.3w (UP), yet it's 123A-powered.
Run time wasn't measured.
FluPIC operation took a little familiarization, but isn't bad once you're used to it.
Instruction manual is well written and far more extensive than some other high end lights (e.g, HDS). However it could use a few enhancements such as a "quick start" page, more detailed examples of how to operate the interface, and bezel disassembly instructions.
Negatives: As typical with limited production lights, a little dust on the reflector. A very little battery rattle. Max output is impressive but not designed for continuous use. FluPIC operation OK for Flashaholics, likely indimidating for regular people. However the simple user interface #1 is just low/high/max/off.
Below: HDS U60, FF3, Peak Caribbean (pocket body)
Below: Surefire U2, HDS U60, Peak Caribbean, FF3, Arc AAA-P
Below: Peak Caribbean, HDS U60 (max), FF3 (max)
Below: Peak Caribbean, HDS U60 (max), FF3 (max)
Below: HDS U60 (max), FF3 (max), Peak Caribbean
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