Inova X5 vs. Arc LS? Which do you prefer?

shootist16

shootist16

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I know the LS is more expensive, but if $$$ wasn't an issue which would you prefer? Why?
 
The Arc LS is brighter and whiter, and with the 123A battery pack smaller as well. The original Inova is a good light for the emergency kit, but for EDC the Arc LS is the best until Surefire gets that LED module for the E1 out.
 
It's like comparing a nightlight with a flashlight.

The LS is the first LED that will really "throw" a beam of light.
You want something to be able to read by or to use as a camp light then the X5 is just fine but as a "flashlight" with a beam that you can actually direct the LS has no equal.
 
Agreed about the superiority of the Arc LS, but considering the price, it wasn't a fair comparison really. X5T is a fine light though.

Joe
 
Hey Guys...

I know I'm getting a little off track,and I can't comment on the LS because I don't have one,,nor have I handled one..

The X5 has just became my EDC...

I have a 6P and a G2 Surefire..Great lights,,but they eat batteries like MAD...
I can't handled the battery bills,,so the X5 is just the ticket..

ttyle

Eric...
 
i use my inova X5 for gen'l illumination needs, and use my M3 or Z2 surefire for more serious matters. imho a M3 SF and a X5 (or arc LS) would serve ya well for most any needs, i like my M3 SF the best, but the X5 is better w/the batts, and 90% of the time i am getting the paper/etc, and dont really need the M3, but dont want to use my old mag lites either - i have to be carefull, my wife found out how much the 123 batts cost last week(i have always bought them myself, why i asked her to pick up i will never know.....),she couldnt believe it, lol


greg
 
Originally posted by shootist16
I know the LS is more expensive, but if $$$ wasn't an issue which would you prefer? Why?
Click to expand...

Remember one important thing about the LS - it's still a work in progress, if you want a light with no bugs, get the Inova - That said, I have an LS on order :D
 
Buggers, that's all I need, another choice! ;)
I was quite happy with the SureFire E1 and E2eHA and the 9P but this Inova looks pretty nice, I'll need to snatch one of these up, who has them available?

G2
 
Thanks Ralph, Eric, I just noticed that these have a run time of only 20 hrs?

So the main draw to this is the longer element life I take it?
G2
 
I picked up 2 on Ebay from the same guy, one for $38.00 and the other for $43.00 and got them both shipped to Canada for $9.00. And the nice thing about that is when he shipped them he put a lower price on them so I didn't have to pay the duty. The cheapest retailer I could find would ship a x5 to Canada for $16.00, plus the light cost $47.00, so I did pretty well on Ebay. And I received both lights today. They are awesome to say the least. One is black with the white lights and the other is the silver with the white lights. Check Ebay because you can pick them up cheap and new in the box, and the shipping that most of them charge to the States is around $5.50.
 
PocketLights.com also sells the Inova X5 Tactical LED Flashlight. They also ship internationally!

In regard to the original question, Arc LS vs. Inova X5, I would choose the Arc LS because it is significantly brighter than the X5. The Arc LS also has optional 2 AA and 1 AA power packs in addition to the single 123A power pack that comes with the LS.
 
What's the runtime on the LS? I called 1sks to check on something else, but got talking lights, and Spark said he loves his. I forgot to ask how long the batteries last, but it sounds like a great light.
Originally posted by Gary W. Graley
Thanks Ralph, Eric, I just noticed that these have a run time of only 20 hrs?
Click to expand...
Yep, ONLY 20 hrs:D
I've had the same set of batteries in mine ("old-style" X5) for a few months, and have used it for over an hour at a pop when working in an enclosed area at work a couple of times. I hate to think of the money I would have had to spend on batteries for a different light.
Not much throw, but it works fine at night, and provides plenty of light for working by. I frequently hold a light for maintenance guys when they're working on my equipment, and they love it, but all say the same thing when I tell them the price:eek: Same reaction my knives get!
btw, I just got a E2E-HA, and now I can see what all the fuss is about. Much nicer than any of the other lights I've got, and nicer than the other SureFires I've handled as well.
You wouldn't be offering sheaths for the E2E, would you?
 
Originally posted by OwenM
...Yep, ONLY 20 hrs:D
I've had the same set of batteries in mine ("old-style" X5) for a few months, and have used it for over an hour at a pop when working in an enclosed area at work a couple of times. I hate to think of the money ...
btw, I just got a E2E-HA, and now I can see what all the fuss is about. Much nicer than any of the other lights I've got, and nicer than the other SureFires I've handled as well.
You wouldn't be offering sheaths for the E2E, would you?
Click to expand...

HAH of course! I was comparing MINUTES to those LOW HOURS...what a goof eh? :) that is nice then!

And to the sheaths, yep, I have the E2e HA and the E1 and an older P9 model Surefire and will probably add one of the Inova's to the line up within a months time...

G2
 
Hummm, I would probably choose the Surefire KL1 over the Arc and Inova. The KL1 is fully regulated and much brighter then either of them, sure it might not last as long, but you can put used batteries in it and it is just as bright as new ones, very cool.

But if I had to choose between the Arc LS and the Inova I would choose the Inova for $ reasons. The Arc is better, but not 2 to 3 times better. I hate to say that because I really like Arc.
 
I have no experience with the ARC light but I recently received the Inova X5-t from TAD. (black case, white LEDs)- I am very impressed with it. Alot brighter than I expected and feels like it was put together right. It is my regular nighttime jogging companion now. Everybody I have shown it to is amazed by it. Very cool peice of kit.
 
I have both, The X5 is the around the house light. The ARC LS is carried on me anytime I leave the house. If I had to choose between the two it would be the LS.
 
So the main draw to this is the longer element life I take it?
Click to expand...

Well that is many hours Gary, and as for element life its more or less indefinate (theoretically), and yes that's a draw too.

I got to handle both an X5 and the ARC LS (single 123A model) at the TAD table at the BAKCA show this past weekend. It was a well lit room, but holding both lights about a foot from a piece of white paper they seemed to throw about the same light. Mind you that's 5 X5 leds compared to 1 for the LS! I understand that the LS throws a more traditional narrow beam, while the X5 is more like a flood light, but each can be better in different applications. I do wonder how the X5 LEDs are wired up. If an LED did fail, would the other 4 still work? Would be something that might save the day (or night) compared to relying on a single LED that could (however unlikely) fail.

The advantages of the LS are its over all size and its multiple battery configurations. The disadvantages are its price, and the present unreliability of the high-intensity LED. I've got enough flashlights for now, so I think I'll stay with my Surefire (tactical) + X5 (general purpose) + ARC-AAA (keychain) + Photon III (neck lite) for a year or so until the higher brightness LED technology stabilizes a bit.
 
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