[M4D deal] Nightwatch NI40 with Luminus SBT90 Gen2 interest list OPEN

I ordered one on Dec 12 and it just shipped. Hope I won't be disappointed, I originally cancelled my first order when I saw the FT03 with SBT90.2 since I couldn't decide between the two and then ordered again -.- I'm still unsure if I made the right decision... guess I'll find out once reviewers get their hands on the FT03.

Wondering if anyone can talk a bit about the driver, especially whether or not there's a reprogrammable microcontroller on it that could be reprogrammed with custom firmware?

I’m in the same boat. I really like my FT03 xhp50 and am waiting to see if I like this or the FT03 version of the sbt90 more.

The NI40 is a small thrower.

The FT03 is a medium size thrower.

So it’s less of a comparison and more of what size thrower do you want?

With the larger head the FT03 will throw further than the NI40. Just as the FT05 will out throw the FT03.

Regardless, they will both be awesome.

I agree, if one is actually looking for a thrower as an actual tool to use - in which case there probably would be size and runtime constraints etc... whereas personally, I'm just looking for a cool light to add to my (admittedly small) collection. So for me it's mostly how enjoyable the light is for an enthusiast vs. how much it costs. And I just can't decide which light I find cooler, while acknowledging that they're technically not in the exact same category :D

(at which point of course you could say "well, why not get both then", but money is still a constraint for me unfortunately)

I sent my NI40 to be modded by a fine gentleman on here. Emailed me today and its finished. I will have it next week.

The reason for the mod was because of the crappy driver that steps down unnecessarily too soon[50C/122F].

I had him put in a FET driver. Modes 3%/50% /100%, Mode memory and most importantly with NO step down! :+1:

do you know if he used an off-the-shelf driver and if so, which one? Is the driver a standard size (if something like that exists)?

From post #432

Neal finally responded, on 8.
He says:

Friday’s over and…

(From post #437 )

I ordered on October 21, from the stock of the first batch…
In the “FULFILLED” order, the tracking number has not changed, the one that appears corresponds to the previous order (FW3 Ti + Cu, received).

My patience is over.

Another PM sent to Neal, will be the last.
I gave 48 hours to ship or refund.
If he does not send it or makes the refund in 48 hours I will start the process in Paypal.

forwarded to Neal again

I want to thank EasyB for modding my NI40.

He called it a simple mod. I call it a Game changer and a Light “Saver”….without it I would have sold it. That crappy driver had to go.

I have a link to the driver he used in my post #443. A FET-22mm from Mt. Electronics. I chose CUSTOM Firmware-3%/50%/100%-Mode Memory and with NO STEP DOWN[NO Turbo Timer]. That is the sole purpose of getting it done.

It is nice to turn it on MAX and let the battery/output deplete naturally without that frequent and annoying step down.

Tonight was 40F/4C.I used my Aspire 26650 4300mAh batteries and I was able to run it for 10 straight minutes on max without the handle getting too hot.Battery change was after 10 minutes where the voltage was around 3.64V. I know that from my run time tests. I did that Three consecutive times. The only break the light got was from battery changes and the last 30 seconds before I switched batteries I used it on 3% to let it cool a bit.

I have always liked my hand to be the judge in terms of when I dial it down. Step Downs are for amateurs!

Thanks EasyB for making my light enjoyable. :+1:

Neal messaged me too about shipping this week.

I have purchased three of these, and just like Baron, I hate the driver. I sold one already and I haven’t used the other two since day 1. Maybe it’s time to change out the driver as well.

Just received a shipping notice from Neal.

Mine arrived yesterday. I was very pleased to see they actually now put "Stalker 2020" on it instead of 2019. Cool! I have to say it looks stunning, the design is very much to my taste, the SS bezel gives it a very nice touch. There's a tiny smear on the LED (not directly over the chip though, it's off to the side), probably a bit of flux. It's translucent tho, nothing that bothers me.

I do not have any switch issues, can cycle modes perfectly fine (maybe they changed something for this batch? IDK). The firmware is simple but acceptable imo. The mode spacing is a bit weird, with a big jump from mode one (can't call that a "moon mode" at all) to mode two, then only little difference from two to three and four. Big jump again to Turbo for me (using a Golisi 26650). The light heats up quickly on turbo as expected, it reached 45-50°C rather quickly and then slowly crept up to around 60 in a test I just did with a full battery. I'd call the step down practical. It's a turbo mode after all, it's meant for short bursts, else it'd just be a regular mode.

Awesome! :+1:
This host has such phenomenal heat shedding capability a FET driver with no step down is the way to take full advantage of it.

Definitely Awesome! It is very enjoyable to use now.Probably have about Two plus months of using it on max continuously.

When late spring and summer come I know I will only be able to use it on max 2, 3 maybe 4 minutes. At least my hand will determine when I step it down instead of that annoying stock driver.

From post #444

Neal finally sent by PM new tracking number, on 16th.
Tracking number working.

And I received a notice that mine was sent.

It is now listed as sold out in the SBT90.2 variant only. I didn’t order yet because the coupon wasn’t working :frowning:

Neal did deactivate the coupon because he had no stock