Frelux Synergy 3 LT Review
I was there at the beginning with Frelux, buying one of their very first lights. And now, years later, I am delighted to own one of their newest. That first light caught my eye because it ran a rare form factor (found only in the Spy series from Cool Fall, the Spy 007 review is here, and various rip offs) and was exceptionally cheap for a custom—coming in at $95. But like all things, the Synergy changed and grew. The light it is now is bigger and more expensive. So the question is simple: is it still a great light?
Here is the product page. As of the writing of this review (10/1/24), there are still a few Synergy 3 LTs in stock. There are a Skittles bag of colors (actually more than Skittles, but you get the idea). They all come in at $250 which is still a pretty good deal in the custom/small batch flashlight world. Again as of this writing there are no video or written reviews. Scoop. Note that the LT is a variant of the Synergy 3, which had a “captured” body tube, meaning that when you separated the light to install batteries that parts didn’t physically separate as they were connected by a hinge. That light looks cool and its an impressive design feat, but it was bit bulkier than I like and so when Ben announced the LT, I was ready to go.
Quick Review Summary: Full featured, refined, and refreshingly well designed.
Design: 2
Why are flashlights typically tubes? Probably because the batteries are typically tubes. But if you vary the form a bit you get a huge number of advantages. This light tailstands like a statute. It slots into your hands perfectly. And, finally, it offers perfect control over the wonderful switch. This is design variation at its best—eye catching and feature-rich. This is one of the reasons why I love this double stack format, on the original and the Spy007.
Fit and Finish: 2
Ben’s fit and finish is the on part with the very best in the flashlight game—Cool Fall and McGizmo are definitely great and Ben is right there with them. The seams have a delightful, tiny chamfer. The entire guts of the light align (like previous models) around a central core. The internals are so well made that the batteries slide out with a hydraulic feel. And then there is the finish itself—it is smooth durable and brilliant anodizing. Even the clicky is great with a grippy texture and a solid, wobble-free feel.
Grip: 2
No light, even the other double stack designs, lock in like the 3LT. The grooves on the side are subtle, but very, very effective. Virtually the entire light is covered by your hand making it all but impossible to drop the light. Even more so than something like a cigar grip, this light also promotes perfect access to the switch. This is a new gold standard in grip for flashlights.
Carry: 1
There is no getting around it—the double stack form factor is a pocket brick. Its not terrible, it still fits in a coin pocket, for example, but it is far from ideal in terms of how the light plays with other things you are carrying. For me, all of other positive aspects of the 3LT make up for this downside.
Output: 2
The light can hit 600 lumens on high with 14400 batteries. On set of NiMHs it is a bit dimmer at 350 lumens. Both aren’t the highest, but the light doesn’t drop down noticeably after 90 seconds. So it is a legitimate number and when you compare its high at 91 seconds to some of the screamers out there, it is twice as bright. This is a design choice, of course—you could have it pop for 3000 lumens for a minute and half, but I much prefer the real high than a fake one. The Haiku, Malkoff, HDS, and Prometheus Delta all make the same one and I still have them in the collection for a reason. The low here is also nice. It won’t rob your night vision but it is still useful. I like Ben’s choices here.
Runtime: 2
600 lumens for 20 minutes is pretty darn impressive. That’s stunning, frankly. I am sure there is some loss, but the light will still be going 42 minutes later. Overall, that’s great. Then there is the low—220 hours on moonlight with NiMHs. It is almost Zebralight crazy.
Beam Type: 2
This is a classic “all-arounder” EDC beam. It has a true reflector, but it is a small one, so don’t expect a mile light up. But on night walks and around the house for bumps, it is fine. I actually like it a bit more than the squashy beams you find on lights like the oLight or those on some of the triples out there. Given the light’s design purpose, the beam fits the light perfectly, hence the two.
Beam Quality: 2
The Samsung LH351D emitter is a competitor with the Nichia 519a. It is a bit of a tradeoff for me. With the LH351D, you get a little brighter output even with the Hi CRI specs compared to the 519a. The tradeoff, of course there is one, is that the 519a is a bit more neutral. Overall, I don’t think it is a big difference. I like this over a lot of the cheaper lights out there, but it is noticeably warmer than, for example, the Surefire EDC1 DFT.
For the past three years, my wife and I have gone on walks at night and we usually carry the DFT and one other light. I have been using the Synergy 3LT recently and she does not like the very warm light, preferring the DFT instead. I think warm lights are like peat-y whiskeys, they are for enthusiasts only.
UI: 2
Let’s fucking go. AFter a few months with the light I can honestly say this is the premiere UI in the world. It is DEAD simple and infinitely flexible. Here it is:
From Off
Click: Output from Mode Memory
Press and Hold: Low
Double Click: High
From On
Press and Hold: Ramp Up
Click then Press and Hold: Ramp Down
It is close to the UI for the Baton, but replaces the click to medium with a click to mode memory, adding flexibility (you can, for example, set the click to be high and obviate the need for a double click). It also has infinite variable brightness, with the ramping feature. Getting to high or low is easy and with the mode memory feature, once you find your preferred output with this easy search feature, you can leave it as the default setting. Overall, I can’t think of a better UI than this. It is simple enough for most folks but complex enough to be adaptable. This is my new favorite UI. Well done Ben.
Hands Free: 2
The light won’t roll away and naturally tailstands. The between the teeth move is hard, but not impossible. This is a cool light in many ways and the fact that it uses the double stack form is the source of much that coolness.
Other Considerations
Fidget Factor: Very High
With an almost pistol form factor and beautiful machining, this is an interesting object to hold and carry.
Fett Effect: Very High
The clip shows wear as will the ano body. Its tough, but I imagine that eventually this like will look like the hand holds on public transit—burnished by use to a perfect sheen.
Value: Moderate
$250 is a lot for a light, but being the best in UI and grip means it is not an unreasonable price to pay.
Overall Score: 19/20
This is a very strong design and an excellent EDC light. If you want something quirky and great, this is it. Form follows function and the result is a splendid EDC option. It hangs with the best stuff out there—the BOSS 35 for example. Ben’s UI is just brilliant and the lockout is perfectly implemented—there when you need it and invisible when you don’t. The light carries decently, fitting in a coin pocket, and it is unrivaled its grip. This is a masterwork. I do think it outpaces its predecessor with a better output and UI. Its bigger, but that is okay. The Synergy 3LT is amazing, and, at least as of the publication of this review, a few are still in stock. Go get one. Its a banger.
Competition
Unless you have $8,000, there are no other double stack lights out there. The Tri-V final edition is, apparently, sold out. As a result there is not a lot of direct comparisons. I think the development of non-tubes like the Arkfield and the TIP2 mean that this light is not alone anymore in a marketplace filled with tube lights, but those lights don’t have user swappable batteries and none have the amazing UI this light has. The fact that there are not a whole lot of competitors drives home the point—this is a great light.
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