Nightstalker 170 Spotties
Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 20:55
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8
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BlackJack
I recently bought a set of Nightstalker 170's partly based on a good review of them in 4WD monthly last year. Their review rated them "best value for money".
What they did not tell me was that they didn't come with a relay, didn't have enough connectors, only had 2 x short thin pieces of wire and had no instructions to wire them up. By the time I bought the extras, I may as
well have bought Narvas or Hella.
I rang up the national supplier of Nightstalkers whose name was on the packaging (Hansa Parts in
Melbourne ). The guy I spoke to was pretty rude and basically told me I was a moron for not knowing how to wire it up without instructions and should not have expected a relay in the kit as "how would they know what relay I needed."
Supercheap Auto, where I got them from were pretty helpful and got me a copy of instructions from another brand's packaging and checked the other Nightstalkers on the shelf only to find they were all the same.
Anyway, they are fitted now and seEm OK - but beware when you are buying these things as they can cost alot more than the shelf price if they have crappy or incomplete wiring kits.
Reply By: Pterosaur - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 21:37
Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 21:37
Did you buy the Lightforce wiring loom too ?
AnswerID:
101623
Follow Up By: BlackJack - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 22:43
Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 22:43
No, I didn't get a wiring loom - probably would have if I'd seen them at the time. I just bought 20Amp wire, a 30Amp 4-pin Relay, some black corrugated cable covering and a handful of conectors. I soldered all the connectors. Probably cost an extra $30.
The mounting of the Nightstalkers seems to be a copy of the IPF's.
I'll know pretty soon if they rattle to bits.
FollowupID:
359523
Reply By: Footloose - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 21:39
Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 21:39
My experience with the "cheaper" spotties is that they're fine...until you go offroad. A few days of corrogations and bashing and crashing around and they're either RS or MIA. I have a set of Super Oscars that I scored in a hock
shop for $40. Thought they'd last maybe 1 trip but they're still great after 3 years of tripping around. They are the ones with the chromey finish which is just starting to rust, I'll buy a new set when it gets bad enough.
I agree that there's often a lack of bits and instructions in some products. Its funny how they think that you'll buy their product at a reasonable price and then get a high costing specialist to install it. This is not confined to car bits of course.
AnswerID:
101626
Follow Up By: Squizzy - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 07:28
Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 07:28
Just to ease the mind, I have had nightstalkers for 5 years on the patrol, and done some pretty good corrugated roads without any problems.
Roads I'm talking about are Len Beadell tracks, Old Ghan Line, etc, etc.
Geoff.
FollowupID:
359540
Follow Up By: muzzimbidgie - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 16:12
Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 16:12
Don't throw your super oscars out, strip em down, get the chrome bits and the housing sandblasted and powder coated. Get em done in a colour that suites your bull bar, and feel proud as punch when you tell your mates you did it yourself.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 17:06
Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 17:06
Thats an idea, but the rust is on the inside :)
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Geoff M (NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 18:38
Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 18:38
Footloose,
I've got a set of Super Oscars, had them 20 years, now fitted to the third vehicle and will certainly see the fourth soon enough.
Seen some action, some trails and a lot of corrugations. Did the first lens some 6 months back, little pricey but straight off the shelf at my local Opposite Lock dealer. Along with a set of perspex covers, though probably not perspex these days.
In my eyes, damned good value.
Geoff.
FollowupID:
359628
Follow Up By: Footloose - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 19:14
Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 19:14
Thanks Geoff. I managed to stuff all the el cheapo ones(including aircraft landing lights etc) and then Hellas, so I didn't really expect the Oscars to last long. I am more than impressed.. Maybe a set of Lighforce might be better but I'm happy with the Oscars. Horses for courses, all we can do is report our experiences and hope its of value to someone
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Alan H (ACT) - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 21:39
Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 21:39
Had the same problem.Lights work
well but felt riped off when opened the pack and no relay connecters etc. Next time I went in to super cheap picked up a Hella set and had a look, heavy wire,connecters,relay, switch and clear instructions.
AnswerID:
101627
Reply By: Muddy 'doe (SA) - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 21:51
Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 21:51
I had some Narva lights given to me by a good friend that changed to Lightforces. I just got the lights. Went to TJM and got Lightforce wiring kit. $50 and everything you need is in there and all good quality stuff. Not only that it is all made up. Just have to put it in car.
Cheers
Muddy
AnswerID:
101629
Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 18:51
Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 18:51
friend..I am humbled Muddy!
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Reply By: geocacher (djcache) - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 00:03
Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 00:03
I put a set of 170's on a mates Navara late last year and even having come from the automotive industry originally I have to say I was more than a bit surprised that the relay and wiring details weren't included.
Luckily I have a box of relays and bundles of wire in the shed and the know how to wire it up. It's not a hard job for the average handy man with instructions but without it forget it.
I think it's a poor oversight on Lightforces part and should have rated a mention in the review in 4wd Monthly. Most other manufacturers I've looked at include at least the relay, and my IPF's had the lot including the little mousy switch. Bit wanky but I used it cos it was there.
Dave
AnswerID:
101661
Reply By: shaggy - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 10:01
Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 10:01
Go HELLA every time. That is if you value quality, and product backup. They are a world wide company, who has a great name for a reason. Who is Hansa Parts? Nightstalkers? What do you expect from them but garbage. Probably made in Taiwan where most garbage comes from...
AnswerID:
101704
Reply By: peterK - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 13:56
Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 13:56
I am the same as you, wanted to buy a set cheap, and the comparo was good. Opened it up, nothing, will have to read this thread proper when I get back next week. Thanks for the info.
Pete
AnswerID:
101741
Reply By: allanmac856 - Tuesday, Mar 15, 2005 at 20:02
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2005 at 20:02
Had nitestalkers fitted by Opposite Lock in Preston (Vic) for about 230 all up including relay etc etc. Have found them to be very good; not Lightforce but also not the price.
IMO, it is better to go to a reputable 4wd outlet, pay a little extra to get them fitted, rather than go through the hassles you have.
BTW, have been off road; (Toolangi, high country etc), & have had no problems.
Cheers
allanmac856
AnswerID:
102565