Easier to go with std FET+1 for me. I salvaged the 7135's at least, not certain of the original circuit. The battery fit is not good - maybe a longer 26650 button top or something. 18650's don't fit because that ring in the tail is too big. 21700's are too long for it -- really not much play in length - very tight margins. Sure hope they fixed this in the later batch/design.
Ohh - also was able to use the AUX LED in the switch - works well.
Thanks, tatasal. Ordered the 6500 ºK / 6000 lm variant. With coupon $6.47 discount (total $47.48 USD). Had eyed this light some months ago, the cool white may not be my favorite but will do the job outdoors. And can mod if needed.
Oh boy, at work now. I don't have SST40's in a C8F, but I got a few other types. Now I'm all confused because the pics I see of the NA40SE in post #1 and on Neal's website show an OP reflector where mine (NA40) is SMO, like the C8F. So, are the pics only for the SST-20's or did they switch over to the OP altogether?
Maybe Neal has the answers? He never replied to a message I left on his website or an email, but I've had back and forth discussions with him on FB Messenger after that.
Notice the Nightwatch lights on Neal's site is in the "Others --> Other Flashlights" listing? Ouch - no respect...
Yea not as concerned about how SST40 looks in both more so about the dimensions and fit and finish. The C8F reflector, like the Q8 seems to do pretty well with most LEDs and has a good hotspot and smooth spill.
Some pics of the C8F 21700 w/351D 4000K's vs the NA40 w/SST-40's. The C8F as about a 44.5 mm head diameter while the NA40 is about 41 mm. The reflector cups are very slightly smaller than the C8F's. Again, mine is SMO and looks like the new NA40SE is OP, least that's what they show in the pics:
Wow more similar than I thought. Thanks for taking the time to do this. It is strange they switched to OP when the SST-20’s have a pretty nice beam that works fine with SMO. Maybe they had a different LED in mind for this originally.
Oopsie, had the last 2 pics labeled wrong -- fixed that.
Yeah, wonder why they did went with an OP. I'm sure there's loss's for throw. Based on the D4S specs, the best thrower LED seems to be the SST-20 at 5000K or little better at 6500K. The 3000K and 4000K's drop off quite a bit, but in the same % drop as does lumens.