15 replies to this topic

[Jikman]

I tried searching, but couldn't find some internal pictures that points out the difference bewteen the two guns. Everyone on the forum is saying the EX-3 is not as good as the original Nite Finder. How so? Is it because of the spring? Or, the architecture of the EX-3 is just entirely different and inferior compare to the original?

On the side note, if I decide to mod the EX-3, what type of barrel replacement should I get, and their respective lengths? (CPVC, PVC, PETG, or Brass?)

Edited by Jikman, 08 August 2006 - 12:42 AM.

[davenelz]

i believe it's all mearly a spring issue. I could be wrong

[TED]

I have found that newer ex-3's have the same spring as the old school one's. My ex-3 shoots just as far as my old school nf.

[Ryan201821]

I believe the spring is a tad bigger and stronger. The plunger might be a little bigger as well. Not sure on that one.

I agree with Darkshrimp on this one. My EX-3's is a good as my old school NF's.

To answer your question about the barrel material, I'd go with PETG, only becuase that fits my darts the best. Whatever fits your darts snug, but not too snug, use that. As for length I'd say anywhere from 4-6". Personally I used 5".

[Jikman]

Thanks guys, your replies answered my questions.

I am probably going to grab an EX-3 sometime this week and start working on it.

For the barrel, I might go with the progressing brass barrel with 17/36, 9/16 and 19/32. I hope my dremel with the standard cutting wheel can cut through brass though.

By the way, is the string exchangeable? I looked in the modification page for the Nitefinder, it seems that you can't take out the spring without breaking that plastic piece in half.

[murakumo32]

If you want to replace the spring on the nf, all you have to do is unscrew the plunger head from the plunger rod, take the spring out, put a spring in, screw the plunger hea back on, and viola!

[sam]

Yeah spring replacement is simple. The #49 spring, I have found is the best over all choice. It is slightly bigger than the stock spring, but not so much that it is hard to put the gun back together. It's a step above the old version NF spring, which means its two steps above the EX-3 spring. Adding a second o-ring is also a good choice.

[Jikman]

Hahah, awesome!

If the EX-3 can reach 70-80' range, I would be freakin happy.

By the way, is there any difference between the Yellow and Blue EX-3 and the Green and Gray Ex-3 besides the paint color?

Edited by Jikman, 08 August 2006 - 05:07 PM.

[sam]

They are the same as far as I can tell. If you do a brass barrel, and a second o-ring, and a new spring it should get you pretty damn close to the 70'-80' your looking for.

[The Inventor Guy]

NF Type 1.

Very good spring, well lubircated, good seal. The catch is strong and reliable.
The plunger rod has a hexagonal (or ocatagonal?) lug the head is screwed onto
The screws have a good not-too-easy-to-strip thread.

NF EX-3 Mk. 1 (Blue/yellow)

Darker, tighter, floppy spring, bad seal (could rattle the head around in the tube), good lube, if it could use it.
The plunger rod as a square lug. Plunger rod is flimsy.
Screws are thin and easy to strip.
Plunger tube feels like vinyl.
Air restrictors are slightly different.
Plunger head is blue.
Plunger catch is weak and easy to strip.

NF EX-3 Mk. 2 (Grey/green)

Better spring, silver, still a tight coil, and still soft. Better seal but not great. Restrictors are tighter.
The plunger rod has a hexagonal lug - Type 1 compatible. Stronger rod, not flimsy.
Screws are easy to strip.
Plunger tube is stronger.
Plunger head is black and easily disassembled to change O-rings.
Plunger catch is stronger.

-Tidge.

[badger]

There's actually a fourth release of the NF, but under the name Firestrike. It was released as part of an exclusive deal from Wal-Mart with the Crossfire. I have no information on the internal differences of them compared to the other NF releases.

Here is a picture of them though.

[Jikman]

They are the same as far as I can tell. If you do a brass barrel, and a second o-ring, and a new spring it should get you pretty damn close to the 70'-80' your looking for.

You mentioned a second O-ring, which means adding an extra O-ring to the plunger head? Or, replace the original one with a better O-ring for better seal?

[Forsaken angel24]

Add another O-ring.

[Jikman]

Thanks for all the info guys!

I think I am going to go with a brass barrel without the progression, though I might go with CPVC. I believe brass will yield a better performance, since I have seen many Nitefinders on Haven that are brass-barreled, rather than CPVC barreled.

Thanks again!

[Kamen]

Yeah spring replacement is simple. The #49 spring, I have found is the best over all choice. It is slightly bigger than the stock spring, but not so much that it is hard to put the gun back together. It's a step above the old version NF spring, which means its two steps above the EX-3 spring. Adding a second o-ring is also a good choice.

what is a #49 spring? a part#? Gauge of wire? And where do I buy one?
Likewise, where does one find O-rings in the proper size?

[sam]

Well if you have a local hardware store springs are usually stored in drawers, and then they are numbered. Each spring has a different number so they can keep track of them.

Just bring the stock NF o-ring to a hardware store and try to find one similar to the stock one.