Problems with my NiteHawk Emitter
11-21-07, 10:10 AM
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Problems with my NiteHawk Emitter
I bought the NiteHawk Emitter AL for ~$100 at the beginning of the year. I was looking for a brevet/commuter light and I liked the fact that it had long battery life and ran on AA batteries. The light was no crazy-bright HID, but it suited my purposes very well and I was happy with it for most of the year.
Fast forward to fall and I've been riding in the dark much more often. Now the light is crapping out on me. It all started after a particularly wet day when I couldn't turn the light off at all. I would hit the switch and it would dim down to a lower level than the normal low setting without turning off completely. I let the light dry out and the problem went away. I didn't think much of it at the time.
The same thing happened a few more times and I started thinking about getting a new light. I've been using my both my backup light and the Emitter at the same time, which could be a recipe for disaster if something crazy happens. Now the light is behaving even worse. Instead of two modes, I'm only getting one. When I first turn it on it is very dim and flickers. There is moisture trapped inside the light that will not seem to come out no matter how long I dry it.
Is there anything I can do about this?
Meanwhile, anybody recommend a good light under $50? My backup light is this cheapo Ascent Jet Set, which seems to be enough light for my environment. I'm thinking about getting one of the Cateye Opticubes. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
FWIW, this review (from MTBR here) matches my experiences exactly (and no, that's not my review).
Fast forward to fall and I've been riding in the dark much more often. Now the light is crapping out on me. It all started after a particularly wet day when I couldn't turn the light off at all. I would hit the switch and it would dim down to a lower level than the normal low setting without turning off completely. I let the light dry out and the problem went away. I didn't think much of it at the time.
The same thing happened a few more times and I started thinking about getting a new light. I've been using my both my backup light and the Emitter at the same time, which could be a recipe for disaster if something crazy happens. Now the light is behaving even worse. Instead of two modes, I'm only getting one. When I first turn it on it is very dim and flickers. There is moisture trapped inside the light that will not seem to come out no matter how long I dry it.
Is there anything I can do about this?
Meanwhile, anybody recommend a good light under $50? My backup light is this cheapo Ascent Jet Set, which seems to be enough light for my environment. I'm thinking about getting one of the Cateye Opticubes. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
FWIW, this review (from MTBR here) matches my experiences exactly (and no, that's not my review).
where to begin? Same as oter reviewers the on/off button was almost unusable - i ahd to take off glves and use a key depress it....o and my low output started flickering constantly during use...then it started letting water in...cabel too long too.
11-21-07, 11:24 AM
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The cateye el530 makes a good backup light for under 40$. You can double its output by replacing the LED(but you have to hack into it). 9 hr battery life.
My older nighthawk emitter has a bad power socket. I have been unable to pull the light head apart unfortunately.
My older nighthawk emitter has a bad power socket. I have been unable to pull the light head apart unfortunately.
11-21-07, 01:28 PM
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Sorry to hear your issues, I have never seen much info on the NiteHawk Emitter, but did own a Halogen setup for a looong time.
Give them a call or shoot them an email. They were very responsive whenever I had issues.
In the meantime, examine a hi-power AA powered flashlight like the crazy popular Fenix lights.
https://www.fenix-store.com/index.ph...686897f4f62d6d
about $50, and I guarantee it's even brighter than the Emitter.
Cheers
Give them a call or shoot them an email. They were very responsive whenever I had issues.
In the meantime, examine a hi-power AA powered flashlight like the crazy popular Fenix lights.
https://www.fenix-store.com/index.ph...686897f4f62d6d
about $50, and I guarantee it's even brighter than the Emitter.
Cheers
11-21-07, 03:55 PM
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In the meantime, examine a hi-power AA powered flashlight like the crazy popular Fenix lights.
https://www.fenix-store.com/index.ph...686897f4f62d6d
about $50, and I guarantee it's even brighter than the Emitter.
Cheers
https://www.fenix-store.com/index.ph...686897f4f62d6d
about $50, and I guarantee it's even brighter than the Emitter.
Cheers
11-21-07, 04:02 PM
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First email the company to see what they say. If they're no help, pull that sucker apart and clean it out. I bet you'll find lots of oxidation inside. Clean it out as best you can, and seal up every seam with silicone as you put it back together.
