csshih
Flashlight Enthusiast
Hi Everyone,
Up for review is a very new(to the US, that is) manufacturer's line of lights: Firewolf.
The lights were provided by FirewolfUSA for evaluation.
Here are some of the specs from amazon:
FMA16: [1xCR123A]
FMA26: [1xProprietary 18650]
FMA36: [3xCR123A]
* Modes: Momentary Mode: Press Lightly on Switch; Constant Mode: Click Once; Strobe Mode: Rapidly Double-Click; Infinite Dimming: Press and Hold Switch to Select Desired Brightness
here are the lights:
FMA36, 26, 16, 18650, AA, AAA, CR123A
FMA16:
FMA26:
FMA36:
a few additional pictures to show the well done knurling better
Comparisons:
Comparison Beamshots:
White Wall Shots:
shutter speeds are not specified.. white wall shots are to show rings and artifacts in beams.
Outdoor Beamshots:
Firewolf FMA16 1xCR123A
Firewolf FMA26 2xCR123A
Firewolf FMA36 3xCR123A
Impressions
What separates Firewolf from the competition is their use of digital momentary switches combined with a "post and pin" construction for a more reliable light. the light still acts like an ordinary flashlight, but without the 2 clicks(normal switches make 2 clicking sounds) that we are so used to hearing. Firewolf has also managed to implement some sort of forward clicky system into their lights.(half press to activate) One of the benefits to an electronic switching system is of the implementation of a UI into the switching system. In this case, the lights can be dimmed, though the system is not implemented in a way I prefer.
There is no memory mode, the lights will always come on in high mode, but, if you hold down the switch right from startup, the light will start ramping in brightness, and you can let go of the switch when you obtain your preferred brightness. A rather low PWM is used, so quite a bit of the strobing effect shows up. I hope that firewolf can speed up the PWM frequency in future models.
Imediately out of the box, I liked these lights due to their heavy duty feel, this, though, has a drawback -- the lights are pretty large for their battery types. the knurling on them is is very strong, which is preferred by me. I think the knurling is a tad bit "sharp" which would lead it to wearing out faster, but there haven't been too many signs of that yet.
here are a few observations I made in the firewolf thread:
MA16: great little light -- feels very sturdy and solid -- BUT, there are rings in the beam from the cree xr-e used.. I think they should use a textured reflector as small lights normally don't need as much throw(yea.. this one's a pocket rocket/thrower) -- they're mainly used indoors, and a clean beam would be great.
MA26: this light feels nice, but It'd be hard to recommend this to other flashaholics, as the battery contacts are proprietary.. most flashaholics already have al lot of 18605s, and many would probably like to use their own.
MA36: This light is huge!! the entire light feels tough enough to smack some people around with.
The entire light is nice and hefty, and the knurling offers unprecendented grip.
Runtimes:
Up for review is a very new(to the US, that is) manufacturer's line of lights: Firewolf.
The lights were provided by FirewolfUSA for evaluation.
Here are some of the specs from amazon:
FMA16: [1xCR123A]
- 100 Lumen CREE 100,000 Hour Lifespan LED
- Shockproof/Waterproof; 6061-T6 Aluminum Body and Reflector
- HAIII Anodized Finish; Optical Glass Lens
- Bezel Dia. - 1.3in; Body Dia. - 1in; Length 4.1in;
- Weight w/battery 4.8oz
FMA26: [1xProprietary 18650]
- 170 Lumen CREE 100,000 Hour Lifespan LED
- Shockproof/Waterproof; 6061-T6 Aluminum Body and Reflector
- HAIII Anodized Finish; Optical Glass Lens
- Rechargeable 18650 Battery; No Exposed Springs In the Battery Compartment; Reverse Polarity & Short Circuit Protection
FMA36: [3xCR123A]
- 210 Lumen CREE 100,000 Hour Lifespan LED
- Shockproof/Waterproof; 6061-T6 Aluminum Body and Reflector
- HAIII Anodized Finish; Optical Glass Lens
- Bezel Dia. - 1.5in; Body Dia. - 1in; Length -7in
- Weight w/batteries 9.5oz
* Modes: Momentary Mode: Press Lightly on Switch; Constant Mode: Click Once; Strobe Mode: Rapidly Double-Click; Infinite Dimming: Press and Hold Switch to Select Desired Brightness
here are the lights:
FMA36, 26, 16, 18650, AA, AAA, CR123A
FMA16:
FMA26:
FMA36:
a few additional pictures to show the well done knurling better
Comparisons:
Comparison Beamshots:
White Wall Shots:
shutter speeds are not specified.. white wall shots are to show rings and artifacts in beams.
Outdoor Beamshots:
Firewolf FMA16 1xCR123A
Firewolf FMA26 2xCR123A
Firewolf FMA36 3xCR123A
Impressions
What separates Firewolf from the competition is their use of digital momentary switches combined with a "post and pin" construction for a more reliable light. the light still acts like an ordinary flashlight, but without the 2 clicks(normal switches make 2 clicking sounds) that we are so used to hearing. Firewolf has also managed to implement some sort of forward clicky system into their lights.(half press to activate) One of the benefits to an electronic switching system is of the implementation of a UI into the switching system. In this case, the lights can be dimmed, though the system is not implemented in a way I prefer.
There is no memory mode, the lights will always come on in high mode, but, if you hold down the switch right from startup, the light will start ramping in brightness, and you can let go of the switch when you obtain your preferred brightness. A rather low PWM is used, so quite a bit of the strobing effect shows up. I hope that firewolf can speed up the PWM frequency in future models.
Imediately out of the box, I liked these lights due to their heavy duty feel, this, though, has a drawback -- the lights are pretty large for their battery types. the knurling on them is is very strong, which is preferred by me. I think the knurling is a tad bit "sharp" which would lead it to wearing out faster, but there haven't been too many signs of that yet.
here are a few observations I made in the firewolf thread:
MA16: great little light -- feels very sturdy and solid -- BUT, there are rings in the beam from the cree xr-e used.. I think they should use a textured reflector as small lights normally don't need as much throw(yea.. this one's a pocket rocket/thrower) -- they're mainly used indoors, and a clean beam would be great.
MA26: this light feels nice, but It'd be hard to recommend this to other flashaholics, as the battery contacts are proprietary.. most flashaholics already have al lot of 18605s, and many would probably like to use their own.
MA36: This light is huge!! the entire light feels tough enough to smack some people around with.
The entire light is nice and hefty, and the knurling offers unprecendented grip.
Runtimes:
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