Just got my FT01 last night! I must say, it's a very nice light!
To start off, I want to mention how nice the presentation box is. I thought the box that my Nextorch Z1 came in was nice, but this box is really nice! The edges of the box got a bit bent from the delivery service, but not too bad. Like the Nextorch boxes, there's foam cutouts to hold the light and accessories. My light came with 2 lanyards and one of them is interesting as it has a small pig on it...funny looking...I like it. The box's lid is a flip-up lid (not a removable one like the Nextorch) and is locked down via 2 magnets embedded in the flaps...a nice touch I think. This box would impress anyone if it were given as a gift.
Ok, to the light. I got the one with the improved clip and brighter output.
Exterior/Finish/Aesthetics - Everything's machined very nicely and the TypeII finish is very even. I took the light apart and really appreciated that it does not have any darn glue anywhere!...nice! The tailcap and head threads very smoothly even w/o any lube. The bezel is a bit rougher, but not too bad. The clip is useful...not overly tight that it's hard to clip on my pants and I really like the bezel down carry. The finish is matte black. On it's own, it looks quite black, but next to the Nextorch, the Nextorch has a blacker and a bit shinier finish. It's also not quite as matte as my Scorpion or FB1 finish. Overall, very nice machining and finishing.
Aesthetics-wise, it is one of the most attractive 2cell lights I've seen. It's Surefire-esque, but still different. IMO, it looks better than other 2cells I would consider such as the Nextorch Z3 and F3, MicroFire, Nuwai BigQ3, and even my Streamlights (which I find very attractive).
Note on the clip - it works well, but the screws used are an awkward design. I've never seen them before so I have no idea how I'd ever R&R the clip.
Ergonomics - The body increases in diameter as it goes toward the tail and the clip is attached to this point. My hand fits perfectly between the head and this increased diameter point...and my thumb reaches just right to the switch. Switch is easy to push, but not soft. It makes a very audible click. I do wish it was a standard clickie for momentary capability, but for the price and performance, I'm more than happy with the way it is. The battery tube is quite large...there's plenty of width space still with primaries and even Li-Ion R123As. It's comfortable to hold in my hand.
Output/Beam/Tint - Tint is mostly white with a very very slight hint of pink at the edge of the hotspot. Hotspot is fairly tight...tighter than my Nextorch Z1 but not as tight as my Scorpion LED. The reflector is textured so the hotspot transitions quite smoothly to the spill, reminds me of my Q3, but with more contrast between hotspot and spill. There's a dim ring beyond the spill area, but it doesn't affect anything.
Output...here's one thing to note...I'd highly recommend running it off either 2x 123As or 2x R123As instead of a single 17670 or 18650. I don't have either of those Li-Ion cells, but do have 14500s and 17500s. I also have solid aluminum spacers, so I don't think they introduce much resistance (really, a spring contact would be more resistive than a solid piece of aluminum). Off a single Li-Ion, it's not as bright as my Nextorch Z1 which I estimate to be about 40lms. I'd guesstimate the FT01 is about 30-35lms off a single Li-Ion. Throw in 2 primaries or 2x R123As and BAM!...it's BRIGHT! Brighter than my modded Q3 which I estimate is 50-55lms, so I'd say the FT01 off 6V-7.4V is at 60lms easy! Very bright!
I notice that my SL Scorpion also reduces in output running off a single R123A vs. 2x 123As (it's dimmer with my VG FB1 on 1x R123A vs. on the stock Scorpion body on 2x 123As). It's just a characteristic of the driver.
Throw is great! I really like it. It outthrows my Scorpion LED easily and with a larger hotspot to boot.
I had planned on getting a 18650 or 17670 cell to use in this light, but now, I'm just going to pick up a couple of 16340s instead. It will probably run for longer also off the 16340s since the buck will reduce the duty cycle due to the higher voltage, so even better.
Summary - Dang I like this light! It's so attractively designed, easily opened, with great machining and finish, and has amazing output with a very smooth beam. I hadn't planned on picking up another 2cell light, but I'm glad I got this one.
No pics since ernsanada posted much nicer ones than I'll ever be able to take and Huntlight posted pics of the revised clip.