Neal from Neal’s Gadgets got in touch with me recently about having a look at some lights. I agreed, and I’m excited; Neal is the only place to get cool items!

Today I have the first of a few items Neal sent – it’s the Nightwatch Seeker Ns22. This is a thrower in 18650 format, with a bunch of unusual emitter options. It’s a simple light – the key to it is all these emitters!

Versions

There are quite a few options for this light. First the bodies. There’s an 18650 body (which is what I have) and an optional 21700 body. The head size is the same regardless. The head has a standard bezel, but there’s an optional stainless bezel as well. Then there’s all the emitter options.

Here’s the list:

SST20 3000K 95CRI

SST20 4000K 95CRI

SST20 5000K

SST20 6500K

SST40 6500K

XHP50.2 6500K

XHP50.2 5000K

Look at all those choices!!

Price and Coupon

Prices start at $26, and go all the way to [more than $26] depending on the options you want.

Here’s a tracking link to Neal’s store. Use that link and this coupon to get 17% off! NDNS22.

Short Review

This is a neat light, particularly in light of the option to use 18650 or 21700 cells. The UI is a bit simple, but for $26 it’s hard to beat.

Long Review

The Big Table

* Standard measurement disclaimer: I am an amateur flashlight reviewer. I don’t have $10,000 or even $1,000 worth of testing equipment. I test output and such in PVC tubes!! Please consider claims within 10% of what I measure to be perfectly reasonable (accurate, even).

What’s Included

In my case, just the light was included! No spare o-rings or anything else.

But the retail package will include:

Spare lens

Lanyard

Spare o-rings (2)

Package and Manual

The package is a simple cardboard box. The only identifying mark on my package was the handwritten note above. Most likely “20 5000” – that’s the emitter type. SST20 and 5000K. There’s no other identifying mark.

There is no manual included.

Build Quality and Disassembly

This light isn’t the cleanest build I’ve seen. The knurling is good. Around the head the fins are a bit sharp.

Otherwise, the build is not bad. There are a bunch of cooling fins, which is good for a light claiming 7A on turbo.

Again note that I have the 18650 version. And note that there’s a 21700 version. Below you can see how they use the same head – the 18650 body has quite a bit of thickness in the body tube. I don’t have the 21700 body but I do believe the 18650 version is no thinner than the 21700 version. As such, I’d like to have seen them all be 21700 bodies, but with a plastic sleeve adapter.

There’s a spring on the head and tail. Both springs are beefy but the tail spring in particular – I can’t remember a thicker spring on any light! It also has a very copper look – probably copper coated. Either way, great for low resistance!

The threads on the tail end are anodized, square cut and very lubed. The threads on the other end of the cell tube (not pictured) are not anodized, but also square cut. Removing the cell tube takes a fair amount of motivation and grip.

As I’ve said, the body for the 18650 option is very thick. Sensible of course when there’s a 21700 option with no difference in head (ie the tube diameter in the threaded areas is the same for both). But with the 18650 tube only, the thickness is a bit offputting.

Size and Comps

Weight: 184g without cells

Dimensions: 41 mm head x141 mm length

Retention and Carry

There are no options for carry of this light – no pouch, no clip, no lanyard, etc. There is a lanyard hole in the tactical ring and also in the tailcap. Lanyards are practically ubiquitous, but still, you’re left to find your own.

The light will not quite tailstand reliably.

Power and Runtime

I tested this light with a single 18650 cell. I used an LG HG2, but any size or type 18650 should work fine. Springs on both ends of the light ensure that.

Turbo respectably doesn’t have any stepdowns, but is also not regulated. The output tracks the cell voltage for the duration of the runtime. Toward the end, the light gives useful low voltage warning by flashing the emitter off and on.

High has a similar profile, but does look to be regulated for a while before dropping off with cell voltage.

Based on testing with the bench power (and as evidenced by the runtimes), the light has LVP that begins warning the user at around 3.1V, and shuts off at around 3V.

User Interface and Operation

The switch used on the Nightwatch Seeker Ns22 is a mechanical reverse clicky on the tailcap. It’s a very usual reverse clicky setup. The rubber boot is a nice big pad with cross hatching.

The UI is simple.

Here’s a table!

State Action Result Off Click On (Mode Memory) Off Half Click No Action On Click Off On Half Click Mode advance (LMH direction) On Double Half Click Turbo

Modes and Currents

Mode Mode Claimed Output (lm) Claimed Runtime Measured Lumens Tailcap Amps Turbo – – 1043 4.50 High – – 859 2.57 Medium – – 484 1.15 Low – – 65 0.13

LED and Beam

As stated above, there are a bunch of emitter options. I have the Luminus SST-20 in 5000K. The SST20 is the thowier version, and more fitting for the smooth deep reflector than the XHP50.2.

Tint vs BLF-348 (Killzone 219b version)

Random Comparisons and Competitive Options….

As a light available with all these emitters, and available as an 18650 or a 21700, all starting at $26, this light is hard to beat. I’d compare it to a Convoy C8, but I like the choices of emitters here.

Conclusion

What I like

Emitter options

18650 and 21700 cell tube is available.

LVP

Modes don’t have stepdown (but do fade as the cell

What I don’t like

The built quality could be a little better

The UI is a little simple, and slow to change modes

Notes

This light was provided by NealsGadgets for review. I was not paid to write this review.

This content originally appeared at zeroair.org. Please visit there for the best experience!

Whether or not I have a coupon for this light, I do have a bunch of coupons!! Have a look at my spreadsheet for those coupons. It’s possible to subscribe and get notifications when the sheet is edited!!