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Lighted nocks aren’t a one-size-fits-all accessory — fit is everything, and it’s determined by your arrow’s actual inside diameter, not the brand of the arrow itself. Carbon Express Maxima-series arrows split into two common inside diameters: standard Maxima shafts run a .244″ ID (matching “S”-size nocks), while the small-diameter Maxima SD/RED SD shafts run a .204″/.203″ ID (matching “X”-size nocks). A handful of Carbon Express and Gold Tip-compatible shafts also use a .246″ ID that some nocks fit as a direct press without an insert. Get this measurement right before anything else — here’s the real, current lineup.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nockturnal S-Series Lighted Nock (3-pack) | ~$30 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Nockturnal X-Nock Lighted Nock (3-pack) | $25-$35 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Nockturnal GT-Nock Lighted Nock (3-pack) | ~$30 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Lumenok GT Lighted Nock (3-pack) | $35-$37 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Lumenok X Lighted Nock (3-pack) | ~$45 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Firenock Lighted Nock (individual, A-style) | ~$22 per nock | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Easton Tracer Lighted Nock | $7-$9 per nock | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | Clean-Shot Nock Out Contender Lighted Nock (3-pack) | $29-$40 | Amazon · eBay |
| 9 | Wasp Vesta Lighted Nock (compound, 3-pack) | ~$28 | Amazon |
The picks, in detail
Nockturnal S-Series Lighted Nock (3-pack)
Sized for .244″ ID arrows, which covers standard (non-SD) Carbon Express Maxima shafts. A shot-activated switch stays on until manually reset, so it won’t accidentally trigger from handling.
- .244″ inside diameter fit
- Shot-activated switch, 20+ hour battery life
- 20-grain weight
- 3-pack, multiple colors
- Easier setup and better durability reputation than pure friction-fit designs
- Won’t turn off from bumping in a quiver
- Only fits .244″ ID — confirm your specific Maxima variant first
- Battery life shorter than some competitors
Nockturnal X-Nock Lighted Nock (3-pack)
The .204″ ID version of the Nockturnal line, specifically for Carbon Express Maxima SD and RED SD small-diameter shafts — the nock most 3D/SD-shaft Maxima shooters actually need.
- .204″ inside diameter fit
- Same shot-activated switch design as the S-Series
- 20-grain weight class
- 3-pack
- Correct fit for small-diameter Maxima SD/RED SD arrows, unlike the standard S-Series
- Same reliable switch mechanism as the S-Series
- Will not fit standard .244″ Maxima shafts
- Small-diameter nocks are fiddlier to seat correctly
Nockturnal GT-Nock Lighted Nock (3-pack)
A .246″ ID direct-fit nock built for Gold Tip and similarly-sized shafts — worth checking against your specific Maxima variant’s exact ID before assuming the standard S-Series is the right call.
- .246″ direct-fit inside diameter
- Shot-activated switch
- 3-pack
- Multiple color options
- Direct fit without an adapter for .246″ shafts
- Same Nockturnal switch reliability as the S and X lines
- Wrong size for standard .244″ or SD .204″ Maxima arrows
- One more size variant to keep straight when reordering
Lumenok GT Lighted Nock (3-pack)
Lumenok’s .246″ direct-fit nock, activated by the arrow’s own impact completing a circuit rather than a separate mechanical switch — no moving parts to fail, but it needs a precise fit to work reliably.
- .246″ direct-fit inside diameter
- Impact-activated, no moving switch
- Up to 40 hours of illumination
- Made in the USA, replaceable battery
- No switch to fail mechanically
- Very bright, long visibility distance
- Relies on a snug arrow fit to complete the circuit reliably
- Wrong ID size will not activate properly
Lumenok X Lighted Nock (3-pack)
The .204″ small-diameter version of the Lumenok line, for Maxima SD/RED SD shafts, using the same impact-activated circuit design as the GT.
- .204″ inside diameter fit
- Impact-activated circuit
- Long battery life, replaceable battery
- 3-pack
- Correct small-diameter fit for SD-shaft Maxima arrows
- No mechanical switch to wear out
- Pricier than the equivalent Nockturnal X
- Same fit-dependency as all Lumenok models
Firenock Lighted Nock (individual, A-style)
A premium g-switch-activated nock — triggered by the arrow’s own acceleration on the shot rather than impact or a mechanical toggle — sold and priced per nock rather than as a fixed 3-pack.
- G-switch (acceleration-triggered) activation
- 9 nock colors, 6 LED colors available
- Includes a weight-matched practice nock
- Sold individually, mix-and-match sizing
- Won’t false-trigger from bumping, only from an actual shot
- Extensive color and size customization
- Most expensive option here on a per-nock basis
- Buying a full dozen set costs meaningfully more than a 3-pack competitor
Easton Tracer Lighted Nock
Easton’s budget-friendly lighted nock, notable for a long 90-hour battery life and a magnetic activation design, sold individually rather than in a fixed multi-pack.
- Magnet-based activation
- Up to 90 hours of battery life
- Includes a matched-weight practice nock
- Sold individually
- Longest battery life of this list by a wide margin
- Lowest per-nock price here
- Sized for Easton-diameter shafts — confirm fit against your specific Maxima ID before buying
- Less brand-specific fitment documentation for Carbon Express than the Nockturnal/Lumenok lines
Clean-Shot Nock Out Contender Lighted Nock (3-pack)
A universal-fit design using swappable bushings rather than a fixed-diameter body — one nock adjusts across .204″, .233″, .244″-.245″, and .246″ ID, so it’s a genuine hedge against not being sure which Maxima variant you have.
- Universal-fit bushing system covering .204″-.246″ ID
- Shot-activated switch
- 3-pack
- Frustration-free reputation for setup
- One nock body covers every ID size on this list via bushing swaps, useful if you shoot more than one arrow diameter
- Avoids buying the wrong fixed-size nock twice
- Street price runs above the MSRP at some retailers — compare before buying
- Bushing swaps are one more small part to keep track of
Wasp Vesta Lighted Nock (compound, 3-pack)
Wasp Archery’s compound-bow lighted nock (distinct from their separate crossbow-specific Vesta model) — a lesser-known but real alternative to the Nockturnal/Lumenok duopoly at a competitive price.
- Compound-bow specific model (not the crossbow Vesta)
- Shot-activated switch
- 3-pack
- Multiple color options
- Competitive price versus the bigger lighted-nock brands
- From an established archery accessories maker
- Less market share and community track record than Nockturnal or Lumenok
- Confirm you’re buying the compound version, not the separate crossbow-only Vesta
Buying tips
- Measure or look up your specific Carbon Express Maxima model’s inside diameter before ordering — “Maxima” alone isn’t enough, since standard and SD/RED SD variants use different nock sizes (.244″ vs. .204″).
- Impact/circuit-activated nocks (Lumenok) need a snug, correct-diameter fit to complete the circuit reliably; a loose fit in the wrong size ID is a common cause of a nock that won’t light.
- Shot-activated switch nocks (Nockturnal, Firenock) tend to be more forgiving of minor fit variance than pure impact-circuit designs.
- Buy one 3-pack and test it on a single arrow before committing to a full dozen — fitment issues are cheaper to catch on one arrow than twelve.
- Skip crossbow-specific lighted nock/bolt systems (Carbon Express Launchpad, Ravin’s proprietary bolts, TenPoint’s Alpha-Blaze) if you’re shooting a vertical compound or recurve bow with Carbon Express Maxima arrows — those systems are built around crossbow bolt diameters and mounting hardware, not the .244″/.246″/.204″ arrow-nock fitment this list covers.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.