Inova X5 -- a review.

Joined
Aug 26, 2002
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Inova X5 seems to be widely discussed here. However – no full-sized review have been posted about it. A gap to be fulfilled, isn't it?

I have a couple of years of experience with the X5. It was obtained it at a "Klinok"("Blade") knife show. Practically, it is (except for a XO, unavailable that moment) the only "serious" light, imported to Russia.

Size.
X5's body has practically the same length as folded Spyderco Endura. As for me – this is practically perfect size. Not too large to be obstructive to carry – yet not too small, to employ fine motor skills to use and operate. Thick enough to be comfortably gripped – and thin enough to be held in mouth (useful to tie black shoelace on a black shoe in a dark street…) It is easily stored in a front pocket, and, unless you are a truly small-framed – it would not be problem to carry.

Construction.
X5 has metal body. Do not remember exact alloy and way of threat or cover, but after a few years of periodical carry and usage (including all sorts of finger-twirling, playing and dropping) I managed to "decorate" it with only one noticeable scratch. Small wear marks are hard to be seen, because the gray cover is put over silver base. Of course, if you search hard enough…
What is a true "pro" – is construction's indestructibility (wow, Word knows it!). I tossed it. I dropped it. I used it as a fistload against poor, unarmed punchbag. Nothing happened. It shone as bright as before. Maybe a claw hammer, an anvil and other tools in this line could damage X5 – but I see no other way. And it is said by a guy, who is believed to be pretty hard on things…

Ergonomics
The main control is a tail cap. Press to light, turn for continued light. Hard to add anything. However, there are a few things to be polished out. You can not feel if you tuned cap enough to be switched on or not. Also, if you use a lanyard to strap it to your palm – forget about one-handed cap turning. One end of the yard goes through the cap, and as a result – you need two hands to turn it on constant. Yet, I rarely face dire need for constant light.

Brightness.
Well, This was the reason I changed it (for Pila G3). Indoors it is just great – you can see all the space under the sofa looking for a slipper. Or to shine all over the block of staircase. But in the street it is abit dim. A few meters ( 3-6 feet) in front of yourself – it is all you can do with X5. Not bad, but leaves something to be desired.

Battery consumption.
Mine came with two Energizer "123" – sized batteries. Since purchase I had no need to change them. And it saw usage every winter…

Sheath
Or holster – however you like. At first it looked truly poor – just like that cordura thing, given with cheap fixed blades. After a while it appeared to have some thought invested. It held light tightly. Around the mouth it is 3-layered, so putting light back is easy even with a jacket on. I carried it in weak-side front jeans pocket – and it was doing a job. Far more, then you can expect after a first look.

Resume.
So, is X5 good or bad? It is perfectly easy to carry. It would be great addition to any toolbox in house or car. If you need something to light your tent in wilderness and have no worry about spare batteries – it would be probably good two. But if you want a "hand-searchlight" capable of illuminating a small street or stopping a BG by mere flash – look for something else.
 
pyton357ru,

Excellent review. It's been too long since we heard from you.

I visited St. Petersburg in June and found Russia to be a wonderful country. If I'd been closer, I'd have dropped in and bought you a Baltika beer!

I've always admired your avatar. Can you provide a link?

Best wishes,

maximus otter
 
Agree, not a spotlight, but good construction and plenty bright enough for most uses.

Thank you for the great evaluation.

I have the X5T-HA, and love it.

Also, it allows me to finish off the 123 batteries from my Surefires.
 
I dealt indirectly with the X5 in a couple of articles -- an early "Amateurs Guide" here and head to head when I reviewed the favorably comparable NightCutter 5P series. (Overall I like the NightCutter 5P better than the X5, but the X5 has a nicer anodized finish. The 5P has better traction and the anti-roll head for striking.)

nightcutter06.jpg
 
Good review, thanks.

I think they're much better than "3-6 feet in front of you" though.
I've got one with red light and I'm always surprised at how much space and detail it illuminates. It doesn't SEEM bright because it's red, but point it where you look and you can see everything - it's just red. :)
 
Thanks! First review attmpt -- and not a faluire.

to maximus otter
Glad you enjoyed tour state in SPB. And about avatar -- I just randomly searched for Dita's photos and came across it. It was quite a long time ago...
to fulloflead
Maybe I was abit to harsh. But in street covered with fresh snow -- it is enough "ambitient light" to decrease range, but not enough to do without flashlight.
 
It depends on what you're looking for. If you're wanting to spotlight something at 50 yards or meters or whatever, then this light probably isn't going to work so well for you. But for a nice flood of light, it's got a pretty good beam, I think. .
 
I find flood lights much more useful than blinding Throwmeisters - my Opalec Newbeams see more use than my Surefire or any other of my lights.

I recently procured a couple of X5's for colleagues at work. I really like the beam. It's like a Newbeam on steriods.

I only wish that the X5 had the Inova T-series style clicky tailcap.
 
pyton357ru said:
to fulloflead
Maybe I was abit to harsh. But in street covered with fresh snow -- it is enough "ambitient light" to decrease range, but not enough to do without flashlight.

Yeah, snow is a strange thing. Sometimes I can't even tell if my car headlights are on. :D
 
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