I am looking for some additional information from Mathews Creed shooters using Nockturnals. I had been shooting Nockturnals out of my Bear last year and had absolutely zero issues with them lighting up. Switching to the Mathews Creed this year, it appears that the Creed may have a larger diameter string. My issue is that when fired, the Nockturnal will dimly light upon release and upon impact with target or animal it goes out completely or it may not turn on at all. My thoughts are that the string diameter is slightly larger and does not seat completely when nocked and upon release it only partially engages the switch, if at all. I have spoken with their customer service and it sounds like they will replace them for me, but I am not sure replacing them will solve the problem. One 3 pack was purchased last year and one three pack this year, so I highly doubt manufacturing issue as a possible cause which they indicated when I spoke to them yesterday. The guys at my bow shop looked at me like I was crazy when I brought this up, but I am having a hard time believing that I am the only one having this issue or that I was accidentally sold some super top secret Creed by accident. Thoughts? The other part that sucks that I may have to buy more or another brand while I am waiting for these to be replaced or shoot regular nocks at the most inopportune time.... lets just say things are starting to heat up in ol' IL.
I have had those issues shooting a 60x string as well. Never thought it could be the string tho...? Thought it was the product once it slams into the ground. My buddy and I shoot nocturnals, and have both had this happen when you pass through a deer and stick it into the dirt. But I have had them work perfect most of the time on pass throughs, practicing, etc...
See I have noticed one of my nockturnals being extremely loose on my arrow shaft. I missed a doe with that exact arrow but it was still fully lit, no problem. I didn't have the issue when I shot that exact same pack with my factory string. It does seem very odd. I wonder if more people have had that experience. It seems like the light isn't getting fully turned on and the passing through of the animal is just enough resistance to move the little plunger back and shut the light off.
Shoot it out of your old bow or a buddy's bow and see if the string is the issue. If they don't light up take Nockturnal up on their offer to replace.
They shoot out of my Bear bow without any issue and I have had no issues with them in both practice and hunting situations with the Bear. I did shoot my Nocturnals out of my buddies ZX7 without issue and he shoots them without issue, which is why I bought them originally. I don't think the nock opening is manufactured with a big enough relief cut for the string to seat properly against the piston, even though the arrow flight is true and accurate. I can take the arrow that I just shot and use my pocket knife to lightly press on the Nockturnal and it will light up but not stay lit unless I put some force behind it. I'm just a little frustrated with over $60 invested and having to shoot regular nocks while I wait for the replacements. My eyes aren't the greatest, so its nice to have the lighted nocks.
You might be right then, maybe your bow tech used a larger diameter serving. You might be able to have them reserve the string with thinner diameter serving which should in theory reduce the diameter of your string which will allow the knock to seat all the way. Good luck
Funny this comes up today. Yesterday evening around 5:30 I had a shooter at 18 yards. Took my time to make a good shot and hit very very high. Only grazed the hair on his back. No skin or blood at all on my arrow. The nockturnals fit so damn tight on my Z7 string that it's making my arrow hit about 12 inches high. I practiced with one knock all summer, but it was not abnormally tight, so I didn't think the new pack would be different. They were, and it's my fault I didn't try them out before putting them on my hunting arrows. Oh well, learn and move on. Oh and I shot a doe about two hours earlier and hit her in the spine. Dropped her, but not the shot I wanted.
I had this happen on my last hunt. I was shooting my Creed. I shot the second deer and the nocturnal went off after a few minutes. However, the first buck I shot, the nocturnal stayed lit until I turned it off an hour later. I think it is the product and not the string.
I agree with Blarney22. Try having them reserve your string. If they work out of your buddy's bow and your old bow, It very well could be the string. Definitely worth a try. And that should be a lot quicker than waiting for replacements to come in the mail
