Noctigon K1 info / review

I got 2 K1's - one W1 and one SBT90.2. There is a small, minor mark in one reflector but has no effect. Both are great lights, great quality, great design. Absolutely the best driver design I know of for the W1 LED's - perfect max amp level (4.9 amps), solid regulation, and re-programmable.

I'd buy a 3rd, maybe 4th with different LED's if I could reason why I need them

Hi guys, thinking of buying it and wondered what is the inner tube diameter of this light? Have some rewrapped vapcell batteries and I am not sure if they’ll fit…

I use Vapcell Red 4500mah 20A n G50 for K1. No prpblem.

Thanks for the info!

On mine, it measures 21.8 mm inner diameter. I tried a thick-wrapped cell with 21.8 mm outer diameter, and there’s just enough space for the cell to work without getting stuck. It slides out easily with just gravity.

Then my batteries fill fit fine. Just ordered the light. Green color looks pretty amazing and culpm1 led should work just great…Now the hard part, which is waiting lol…

just found this thread, it released last year at 80 usd, now its 90…will it ever go back down? lol

and im assuming 21700 is a much better battery for it than 18650?

Yea, it's a bit pricey with no offered discounts but it's got some pricey parts:

  • USB-C charging built in to the battery carrier - because it's separate, maybe worth $10 extra
  • large SS bezel - BG charges big bucks for large SS bezels for their lights (~ $9 for FT03), so another $10 there
  • driver - pretty special with PWM-less current regulation and FET (another $10-$15 extra), plus multi-color AUX LED support using the more advanced 1634 MCU

do u know if it supports USB C-C PD charging?

Dunno what that means - does TK mention it in the OP review?

you know how lights like sofirn sc31 pro has USB-A to USB-C charging cable? i heard most flashlights with USB-C port only allows this type of charging, and does not allow USB-C to USB-C cable, which given the right cable and wall adaptor/power bank, can use PD (Power delivery), and charge things up super fast.

he did not mention it in the “review”, well technically he does, but he doesn’t know:

Plus, for what it’s worth it appears Hank has upgraded the W1 and W2 emitters recently! I don’t know if that’s worth extra ching, but I know it has very recently tipped me over the edge on wether to buy the K1 with a Osram emitter! Also, the (new?) convoy L21a with CULPM1 goes for ~$45… I think comparing the K1 to that light shows the value of the K1 @ $90… Well really they’re both good values, but still…

wait, i havent looked into the L21a, but if you say comparing that to k1, it shows value of k1 at 90, then doesnt that mean L21a quality/performance isnt worth the 45 price point? lol

Yea, those OSRAM's are more $$$. I hope he tuned up the amps if the new LED's can take more amps. The original W1 K1 was set to 4.9 amps max.

For the USB-C issue, I don't have a K1 with me now but I should test it out on a USB-C connector. Assuming I could just use a USB-C/USB-C cable to a tablet or laptop.

Shame that Hank's listing on the K1 is leaving out so much of the spec's on the K1, because they are "pro" specs, not cons, like PWM-less regulation. It probably has the proper USB-C support but it's just not listed.

where can we reach hank for these kind of questions? besides straight up email

I use his "contact" email address on his site and he's been pretty good to get back to me, may take a day or two. Actually I emailed him last night on couple things requested but he did not respond yet.

You could also try posting to his thread - seems to monitor it regularly and reply on it - https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/57210/2205

Yea by the time i ended my above ^ thought I realized it was not really clear. I meant to say that - for $45 the convoy (Seems, i dont own it) like a good value because of the emitter, specially designed driver (8amps), nice styling, and acclaimed reputation. The K1 @ $90 (Seems, i dont own it) like a good value because of large / unihead host (more difficult machining feat), specially designed driver, on board charging, “extra’s” like SS bezel that TomE mentioned, Anduril/completely customizable UI, and Noctigon’s acclaimed reputation of being High End and well thought out. In my mind, i would always expect a Noctigon to be at a higher price point then a convoy because of the two companies placement in the market, the customer base they’re aiming at, R&D, and other factors i will probably never understand about flashlights :stuck_out_tongue:

oh ok thanks, ill try the thread first, maybe other people have that answer too

I was hoping that too, about the driver and max amps for the new osrams… I see Hank updated the KCD on the W2.2, but not the lumens… (fingers crossed).

Ok, just tested out the K1 and a few other lights on USB C<->C, and USB C<->A compatibility, results:

K1: Both

FT03 Mini SST-40: Both

FT03 Mini W1: Both

FT03: only C<->A

MF01 Mini: only C<->A

SP36: only C<->A

SP33 V3: only C<->A

HK04: only C<->A

NA40: only C<->A

IF25A: only C<->A

For the C<->C, I used a USB-C wall adapter. For the C<->A, I used a USB type A wall adapter.

Didn't test amps, so not sure it proves the C<->C lights charge at higher amps or not. The wall adapter rating is 3 amps at 5 volts.

Conclusion: So the better (newer?) lights seem to work properly. Not surprised the Astrolux and Sofirn lights did not work - little older models, lower budget lights.