- Joined
- Aug 26, 2002
- Messages
- 362
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.
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.