Inova X5

BOK

BOK

Joined
Apr 16, 2002
Messages
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Anyone have an INOVA X5? I had one for about a week and then gave it to my dad to take back to South Africa for all his fishing trips.

I wanted to purchase another one for myself this time. Anyone think they're any good? I have a tough time finding any info on these. I don't think they're ever gonna finish their website.

It would more than likely spend most of it's time in my car but would also be used for camping/fishing trips and the like. I did test my dad's one under water and dropped it a few times and it seemed pretty solid. From what I've seen I like it a lot but just haven't heard too many people talking about it. I have no need for a hardcore surefire or anything like that so I was thinking the X5 might just fit the bill...
 
I should've done a search on it first...I found a thread from 2 months ago on this light..

Was a great review BTW..

Still would appreciate anyones thoughts though...doesn't have to be a formal review or anything...
 
there's supposed to be a new version coming out soon with a momentary switch on the end and a tail cap switch, also 15 percent or so brighter. I'd wait and see what the new one looks like. The information is over at candlepowerforums.com.

- Pete
 
Since you've found the other threads, you've seen my review. The only thing I don't like about the light is the on/off switch. The cap has to be rotated 1.5 turns to turn on, that's way more than necessary IMHO. Would much prefer a momentary tail-cap + turn-on arrangement like Surefire, or a full on-off-momentary tail cap switch as on the Streamlights.

Otherwise, I think they're great!
 
I just got the X5 to go with my Surefire E2. They use the same batteries -- literally. I found that the X5 runs fine off batteries too depleted to light up the E2. Of, course, I don't expect them to last as long as fresh batteries.

The X5 takes a turn and a half to light, but if you're going to be using it on and off, just back it off a little bit and it will turn on again with a correspondingly short turn. The full turn and a half is a safety, like a lock-out cap.

I don't know if I would want a clicker of any sort, if that's going to compromise the serious durability of this mighty metal cylinder!

Some of you might want to look at the Streamlight Batonlight instead of the X5. Its 3 LEDs aren't as bright but the AAAA batteries are cheaper. It's the size of a min-Maglight, and turns on with a rotating tail-cap or a momentary button. The bail is great for attaching keyring or lanyard -- I wore mine on a cord around my neck sometimes. They say you can use it as a kubotan. I used it as a flashlight. :D
 
The cap has to be rotated 1.5 turns to turn on, that's way more than necessary
Click to expand...


Grind down the tip that contacts the battery a little bit, that'll shorting the amount of turing required to activate the light.


S.
 
I just got one of these a couple of days ago, and wonder how I ever lived without it. Good output, great construction. Mine requires a little less than a full turn...
I wanted a compact flashlight that didn't burn up batteries left and right, and there aren't any rechargeables in this size range. Would have bought a Streamlight Scorpion or one of the smaller SureFires, but couldn't live with the short run-times, and don't need a super bright light, anyway.
This one will be great for work, around the house, and for camping. I'm 100% sold on it.

I think I saw on candlepowerforums that it is being updated with a tailcap switch.
Went ahead and got this one, since I don't want that feature.
It also replaced my kubaton, so I got the light I wanted, and a "non-threatening-looking" kubaton at the same time. Perfect size for a fistload, though it probably won't be quite as painful an impact weapon as the kubaton, since it's thicker and flat on the ends.
I feel so much more PC, now, though:rolleyes:
 
Originally posted by Esav Benyamin


Some of you might want to look at the Streamlight Batonlight instead of the X5. Its 3 LEDs aren't as bright but the AAAA batteries are cheaper.
Click to expand...

The model I have runs on three "N" type 1.5v cells. I have a Streamlight Stylus that uses the AAAA batteries.

I agree that the Baton Light is a good working tool, and think the Inova is a reliable back-up with a good amount of light and the burn time you want in an emergency situation. I'll have to make sure I get a spare before the design gets changed, good heads-up :)
 
I just got an X5 from Tim Flanagan. I am very impressed with it, a solid, well made light with a lot of output and a long burn time. I found out about the updated model with the tailcap switch after I ordered this one (duh), but I went ahead and told Tim I want one of the newer ones when they are out. The tailcap switch makes sense. I am so used to my Sure Fire lights that when I hold the X5, my first instinct is to put the thumb on the end. Definitely a cool gadget!
 
I bought an Inova 5x yesterday, and while I haven't had a chance to run it through all the paces yet, it seems like a very nice flashlight. I got the one with the white LEDs. Has anyone gotten one of the blue ones? I was wondering what advantage (if any) the blue light would have.
 
I use to work at house of knives and i have had a few customers who were not too happy with the x5's. The light tends to flicker when you shake the x5. But we replaced the flashlight for the customers. I guess that was under warranty.
 
I greased the threads and o-ring on the X5 to make it turn easier, one-handed, great. It gave me that intermittent flicker, so I opened it, pushed the activator button a half-dozen times to clear whatever was gunking it, and haven't had a problem since.

(( James, thanks. The Baton-Lite does use the N batts. So much technology, I get confused what to use next! As long as I don't sprinkle lithium 123s on my breakfast cereal, I'll be OK :D ))
 
Thanks for the tip about grinding down the post.

Whipped out the Dremal tool and worked on mine a little...much better! :D

Turns on with a little less than 1/2 turn now.
 
You're welcome. I can't take credit for the idea though. My budy, Patrick at Triple Aught Design turned me on to it.

Just sharing the knowledge :D

S.
 
EB, no problem, it is hard to keep track of what spares to bring along on any given day ;)

Speaking of TAD, I just got the two spare IX5's I ordered, old style!
 
I bought one on Friday at the Blade Show. The very next day I dropped it three stories onto asphalt from the parking garage (I slung my phototog's vest over the edge of the garage and it fell out of my pocket).

Still works!!
 
I bought a blue X-5 at Sharper Image in New Orleans on my honeymoon last week. It's great. The blue light on dirt/sand makes it look like snow on the ground. I have two SureFires, a 6Z and a M2 Centurian, and I like the X5 just as well. It fits perfectly in the knife pocket of Cabela's cargo shorts. It is a cool thing.
 
I played with Ethan Becker's at Blade and he advised me that the company was going to provide the X5 with a momentary switch in the next evolution. Considering the usable light produced I will happily wait for the improvement.
 
How does the brightness of the X5 compare to the Surefire E2? I could start a new thread:rolleyes: but this seems a good time to ask:D
 
brightness of the X5 compare to the Surefire E2
Click to expand...

Doesn't really compare. The E series lights are way brighter but have a short battery life (~90 minutes). The X5 are reasonably bright for a 5 LED flashlight and cast more of a flood light type beam where as the Surefires are more spot. The X5 will burn for about 20 hour on fresh batteries.

I like both lights. When the batteries of my surefires are drained, I put them in my X5 and get a lot more use out of them. To me the X5 and the two lithium Surefires are very complimentary.

S.
 
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