- Joined
- Aug 11, 1999
- Messages
- 1,111
Hey folks,
A couple weeks ago I sought feedback on the Inova X5 LED (light emitting diode) mini floodlight, in Wilderness & Survival, where I received some good information from fellow members: <http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=190490> . I purchased a pair last week (white and blue) and just want to share my initial impressions. First, its specs: 11.85cm x 2.0cm, 87gm with batteries (i.e., 4-21/32" x 25/32", 3.1 oz). In other words, it approximates the size and weight of a hefty, medium-sized folder. I've carried one for five days now, in jeans and wool slacks, and it feels a bit bulky and loose for front pocket carry, but stays snug in my back pocket. However, I'm also not too keen on front pocket carry for my sharpies, so YMMV.
Light Quality
The white X5 is very impressive: an evenly diffused, "clean" white light. By "clean" I mean that it illuminates all objects most closely to their actual colors in natural daylight, when compared to my other flashlights. Or, to put it another way: the Maglite 2AA beam appears quite yellow relative to the Pelican VersaBrite II (2AA) or Underwater Kinetics (UKE) 2AAA, which share an equivalent hue; and these two appear yellow relative to the Inova. The difference between the Maglite and the Inova is significant, with the former's beam appearing fairly "dirty" in comparison.
The Inova X5 casts its light through five LEDs, which produce a non-adjustable, round "flood" beam with no distinct rings or striations, i.e., "splinters" in its beam that indicate unevenness in its projection. (Not sure "striations" is the right term, but hopefully you get what I mean.) Its LEDs are based on the same technology popularized by the ubiquitous Photon Microlights and their clones. (Think of five very powerful Photons clustered together, and you get the idea.) It is very bright, easily illuminating out to 50 feet (probably much further than one needs from this size light). Projected against a wall at 25 feet, its beam has a bright, round core about 2.5 feet in diameter with excellent illumination out to a secondary radius of about 4.5 feet (9-ft diameter). Objects grow less distinct beyond that, but the LEDs generate a much clearer, effectively broader, evenly diffused light than any of my other flashlights (i.e., its "floodlight" effect).
The Inova X5 blue light is also powerful, but less impressive than the white Inova for me. Partly this is simply the inherent nature of blue light versus white: the blue washes out many colors, particularly darks, although it does intensify florescent or even simply vivid colors (post-its, bright paper, orange Fox 40 whistle, reflective material, etc.). Consequently, although the blue provides good general illumination, objects are less distinct than in the white light at 50 and even 25 feet. Of course, there may be certain contexts or environments in which the blue light excels; my brother who is a ski patroller, for example, greatly prefers colored lights, and blue in particular, for white apparently tends to "dissolve" or "disappear" in the snow.
More significantly, however, my blue X5's beam is also poorer than the white's: projected onto walls or other large objects out to 40 feet or so, the blue beam produces several overlapping rings of irregular shape, in contrast to the softer, evenly gradual diffusion of the white X5. At 25 feet, it produces a fairly distinct, pear-shaped core with about a 2.5-foot diameter, with the irregular rings extending out to its secondary radius of roughly 3.25 feet (6.5-foot diameter). The transition from "hot" core to secondary radius, then beyond, is far more pronounced with the blue than with the white. At 4 feet, the pattern looks like a blue rose; and at 25 feet, sort of like a large eye. What causes the uneven pattern? I don't know. I've examined the LEDs under 10X magnification and none are scratched. Also, I've swapped the batteries in the two lights, with no difference. Perhaps this contrast in beam quality is peculiar to the two I have; I would be curious to hear from others if their blue X5 models share these characteristics or not (or if any X5 whites exhibit my blue characteristics, etc.).
Quick Comparisons
Among conventional bulb flashlights, the Pelican VersaBrite II is a good compromise between floodlight and spotlight styles. At 25 feet, the VB II generates a very bright spot, approximately an 8" perfectly round diameter, with very good illumination within a distinct, perfectly round ring with a secondary radius of about 3.25 feet (7.5 ft diameter). Its illumination is very crisp; however, the Inova generates a tangibly brighter and truer white light. (The UKE 2AA produces a high quality beam similar to the Peli VB II, although brighter and more "spot" than "flood," IIRC; unfortunately, it is on "permanent loan" in my ex-girlfriend's car...
)
The strength of the Maglite is its adjustable beam. In its most focused mode, at 25 feet, the 2AA Maglite produces an intense oval core approximately 3 feet in diameter. But beyond that initial range, the 2AA Maglite significantly loses illuminating power. Even with a broader beam, its general illumination is much weaker than any of the lights mentioned above, most dramatically in relation to the white Inova.
Grip
The Inova's machined grooves are surprisingly "toothy" rather than smooth, and provide a better grip than I'd expected (i.e., not simply cosmetic). They provide a secure grip even when wet with water, and remain pretty secure even with oily or greasy hands. In the latter case, however, since the head (lamp end) has no grooves, the light becomes a bit more difficult to turn off/on. In comparison, the 2AA Maglite is significantly less secure in hand when wet or slippery (its barrel's checkering is nearly useless), although the textured stripe on its lamp head makes it easier to turn off/on. Both the octagonal Pelican and ribbed UKE heads are even easier to turn off/on. I've wrapped a thin piece of athletic tape around the head of one of the Inovas to compensate; but grooves or texturing on future models would be a nice improvement.
Other Features
The Inova X5 provides a 3mm lanyard hole that runs through the diameter of its butt end. This is probably its most poorly conceived feature, as it permits only a thin cord to be threaded through, and does not permit a split ring attachment. In this respect, the 2AA Maglite's design is more versatile, with a hole that can accept a split ring and/or allow for much easier threading of a lanyard. A pocket clip might make an interesting addition to the Inova, too -- perhaps a removable clip that wraps around the barrel (a la Fisher Bullet space pen et al), and snugly snaps into the machined grooves. Doing so would greatly improve pocket carry, and possibly belt carry, too.
On/off switch discrepancy: the blue requires only one-quarter turn of its head counterclockwise, while the white requires one full turn. While this does not affect the light's functioning, it does -- along with the more significant disparity between my white and my blue beams -- indicate possible quality control concerns or, at least, wide variability in the "tolerances" allowed in production.
Concluding Comments
With a $55-$60 MSRP ($35-$40 online), the Inova X5 is appreciably more expensive than most other small-kit or personal carry-size flashlights. Given its price tag, Inova should certainly address at least some of the shortcomings and inconsistencies I've found, or risk losing its market to competing LED makers as their designs and technology synthesize and improve. Still, for less than the price of a Spyderco Delica, the white Inova X5 offers an outstanding short to medium range beam that far outshines its 2AA competitors (mine, anyway), and outlasts them nearly 10 times over (reputed 20+ hr. burn time), in a more compact package. It may well be more bomb-proof than the Maglite, too, because its LEDs are tougher than the Maglite's relatively fragile bulb; and for all practical purposes, the LEDs should not burn out. Overall, the Inova X5 convincingly demonstrates that the LED technology on which it is based represents a significant leap, and not just gradual increase, in flashlight performance.
My .02 --
Glen
PS: Best way to remove the X5 from its kryptonite bubble wrap is to cut the perforations along the bottom, and slide out from there.
A couple weeks ago I sought feedback on the Inova X5 LED (light emitting diode) mini floodlight, in Wilderness & Survival, where I received some good information from fellow members: <http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=190490> . I purchased a pair last week (white and blue) and just want to share my initial impressions. First, its specs: 11.85cm x 2.0cm, 87gm with batteries (i.e., 4-21/32" x 25/32", 3.1 oz). In other words, it approximates the size and weight of a hefty, medium-sized folder. I've carried one for five days now, in jeans and wool slacks, and it feels a bit bulky and loose for front pocket carry, but stays snug in my back pocket. However, I'm also not too keen on front pocket carry for my sharpies, so YMMV.
Light Quality
The white X5 is very impressive: an evenly diffused, "clean" white light. By "clean" I mean that it illuminates all objects most closely to their actual colors in natural daylight, when compared to my other flashlights. Or, to put it another way: the Maglite 2AA beam appears quite yellow relative to the Pelican VersaBrite II (2AA) or Underwater Kinetics (UKE) 2AAA, which share an equivalent hue; and these two appear yellow relative to the Inova. The difference between the Maglite and the Inova is significant, with the former's beam appearing fairly "dirty" in comparison.
The Inova X5 casts its light through five LEDs, which produce a non-adjustable, round "flood" beam with no distinct rings or striations, i.e., "splinters" in its beam that indicate unevenness in its projection. (Not sure "striations" is the right term, but hopefully you get what I mean.) Its LEDs are based on the same technology popularized by the ubiquitous Photon Microlights and their clones. (Think of five very powerful Photons clustered together, and you get the idea.) It is very bright, easily illuminating out to 50 feet (probably much further than one needs from this size light). Projected against a wall at 25 feet, its beam has a bright, round core about 2.5 feet in diameter with excellent illumination out to a secondary radius of about 4.5 feet (9-ft diameter). Objects grow less distinct beyond that, but the LEDs generate a much clearer, effectively broader, evenly diffused light than any of my other flashlights (i.e., its "floodlight" effect).
The Inova X5 blue light is also powerful, but less impressive than the white Inova for me. Partly this is simply the inherent nature of blue light versus white: the blue washes out many colors, particularly darks, although it does intensify florescent or even simply vivid colors (post-its, bright paper, orange Fox 40 whistle, reflective material, etc.). Consequently, although the blue provides good general illumination, objects are less distinct than in the white light at 50 and even 25 feet. Of course, there may be certain contexts or environments in which the blue light excels; my brother who is a ski patroller, for example, greatly prefers colored lights, and blue in particular, for white apparently tends to "dissolve" or "disappear" in the snow.
More significantly, however, my blue X5's beam is also poorer than the white's: projected onto walls or other large objects out to 40 feet or so, the blue beam produces several overlapping rings of irregular shape, in contrast to the softer, evenly gradual diffusion of the white X5. At 25 feet, it produces a fairly distinct, pear-shaped core with about a 2.5-foot diameter, with the irregular rings extending out to its secondary radius of roughly 3.25 feet (6.5-foot diameter). The transition from "hot" core to secondary radius, then beyond, is far more pronounced with the blue than with the white. At 4 feet, the pattern looks like a blue rose; and at 25 feet, sort of like a large eye. What causes the uneven pattern? I don't know. I've examined the LEDs under 10X magnification and none are scratched. Also, I've swapped the batteries in the two lights, with no difference. Perhaps this contrast in beam quality is peculiar to the two I have; I would be curious to hear from others if their blue X5 models share these characteristics or not (or if any X5 whites exhibit my blue characteristics, etc.).
Quick Comparisons
Among conventional bulb flashlights, the Pelican VersaBrite II is a good compromise between floodlight and spotlight styles. At 25 feet, the VB II generates a very bright spot, approximately an 8" perfectly round diameter, with very good illumination within a distinct, perfectly round ring with a secondary radius of about 3.25 feet (7.5 ft diameter). Its illumination is very crisp; however, the Inova generates a tangibly brighter and truer white light. (The UKE 2AA produces a high quality beam similar to the Peli VB II, although brighter and more "spot" than "flood," IIRC; unfortunately, it is on "permanent loan" in my ex-girlfriend's car...
)The strength of the Maglite is its adjustable beam. In its most focused mode, at 25 feet, the 2AA Maglite produces an intense oval core approximately 3 feet in diameter. But beyond that initial range, the 2AA Maglite significantly loses illuminating power. Even with a broader beam, its general illumination is much weaker than any of the lights mentioned above, most dramatically in relation to the white Inova.
Grip
The Inova's machined grooves are surprisingly "toothy" rather than smooth, and provide a better grip than I'd expected (i.e., not simply cosmetic). They provide a secure grip even when wet with water, and remain pretty secure even with oily or greasy hands. In the latter case, however, since the head (lamp end) has no grooves, the light becomes a bit more difficult to turn off/on. In comparison, the 2AA Maglite is significantly less secure in hand when wet or slippery (its barrel's checkering is nearly useless), although the textured stripe on its lamp head makes it easier to turn off/on. Both the octagonal Pelican and ribbed UKE heads are even easier to turn off/on. I've wrapped a thin piece of athletic tape around the head of one of the Inovas to compensate; but grooves or texturing on future models would be a nice improvement.
Other Features
The Inova X5 provides a 3mm lanyard hole that runs through the diameter of its butt end. This is probably its most poorly conceived feature, as it permits only a thin cord to be threaded through, and does not permit a split ring attachment. In this respect, the 2AA Maglite's design is more versatile, with a hole that can accept a split ring and/or allow for much easier threading of a lanyard. A pocket clip might make an interesting addition to the Inova, too -- perhaps a removable clip that wraps around the barrel (a la Fisher Bullet space pen et al), and snugly snaps into the machined grooves. Doing so would greatly improve pocket carry, and possibly belt carry, too.
On/off switch discrepancy: the blue requires only one-quarter turn of its head counterclockwise, while the white requires one full turn. While this does not affect the light's functioning, it does -- along with the more significant disparity between my white and my blue beams -- indicate possible quality control concerns or, at least, wide variability in the "tolerances" allowed in production.
Concluding Comments
With a $55-$60 MSRP ($35-$40 online), the Inova X5 is appreciably more expensive than most other small-kit or personal carry-size flashlights. Given its price tag, Inova should certainly address at least some of the shortcomings and inconsistencies I've found, or risk losing its market to competing LED makers as their designs and technology synthesize and improve. Still, for less than the price of a Spyderco Delica, the white Inova X5 offers an outstanding short to medium range beam that far outshines its 2AA competitors (mine, anyway), and outlasts them nearly 10 times over (reputed 20+ hr. burn time), in a more compact package. It may well be more bomb-proof than the Maglite, too, because its LEDs are tougher than the Maglite's relatively fragile bulb; and for all practical purposes, the LEDs should not burn out. Overall, the Inova X5 convincingly demonstrates that the LED technology on which it is based represents a significant leap, and not just gradual increase, in flashlight performance.
My .02 --
Glen
PS: Best way to remove the X5 from its kryptonite bubble wrap is to cut the perforations along the bottom, and slide out from there.
