Hi guys. Im sorry if this is on wrong place but im new here and dont know how to search for similar threads.
Im just curious about The Nightwatch NS59V2 i just got from Neals. When i ordered it V1 was sold out and still is so i was getting V2 which Neal text me to say it was better and updated. So i have it and on the bezel where it says “HOT” it also says Nightwatch superbia59v2. But on opening and taking off the reflector, printed on the LED plate is NA59V1??. So does this mean i have version 1 with the old leds and Neal has just switched the bezel? I have no way to tell.Im sure some LEDs are getting dull patches on them aswell and i only used it for a couple of minutes. I have pics but dont know how to post. Any info would be great, thanks john.
I know Neal because I bought from him more than once and it doesn't seem possible that he sold you a V1 instead of the V2 by changing the frame, I think he is a serious person who does not do these things, about the black spots I own a V1 bought right from Neal which is spotless.
I would not worry the slightest bit that parts that were used in the V1 would appear in the V2. My conclusion would be that the board apparently is not a part that Nightwatch has updated (and I would not expect it needs updating, DTP copper boards are great performing parts that are hardly ever the bottleneck of a flashlight, not much to improve there).
I like the Neal’s Nightwatch housebrand because they take the size-performance ratio to the limit while using good structural designs to cope with the heat and the price is good for what you get. I also think they have limited lifetime and I do not trust them to never fail: the small size with high currents and massive amounts of light and heat I expect to come with a lot of wear on all the parts. And the electronics and user interfaces are not very sophisticated, but simply just work. But for me as a flashaholic that is ok, I understand that performance comes at a price.
I just received one from Neal. Mine is a piece of garbage. stopped working within 12 hours. I sent 3 emails to Neal and no reply. This is not good customer service. I have multiple purchases from him.
Fedtro, I have the same problem, it says V1 on the flashlight head and the center LED has a black spot on it. I ordered the V2. This light no longer works and Neal refuses to answer my emails. I have purchased with him before with no problems. Now there is a problem and he is failing with bad customer support.
Its unfortunate, but to get ahold of Neal, you have to put him on blast on his FB page, make sure you tag him. I have always had my issues resolved
Are the LEDs failing from being overdriven? I haven’t heard of anyone’s NS73 failing. I’m guessing it’s only an issue on the NS59? Also, why are they still manufacturing/selling it if they know this is a common issue??
One LED in my 59v1 got a burn mark after my runtime tests. It was easy to fix though. These LEDs aren’t being g overdriven, just a lot of heat to dissipate can stress them to failure.