Inova X5?

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May 6, 2008
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Im looking at a Inova X5 and considering purchasing it. It will be my first flashlight purchase, and I want to make an informed decision(unlike my first knife purchase:rolleyes:). Im basically looking for a compact flashlight that I can EDC and use around the house. Can anyone give their insight about this flashlight? Also, is there any other lights that are similar in size and price that might be considered over the Inova?

EDIT: Is a flashlight that runs on CR123A batteries that much better than one that runs on AA? I have a bunch of unused of AA batteries from Costco. Im having a hard time justifying paying over $1 per battery.
 
I purchased a fenix L2D at the Eugene knife show this spring.
Compact,cheap enough for an EDC,no special batteries.
Believe this or not....180 lumins!!!I keep it at the bedside table for
a "house clearing" if needed.I'm not sure of the website for these
guys but you could google it and check it out...I like it.
Can't beat the price either!!!!:D
 
There are quite a few good AA led flashlights on the market right now. The mini mag led is just one of many that I like. The single AA fenix lights are great too.
 
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I don't know what you consider EDC but the Inova (IMHO) is a little big for everyday pocket carry. It is however a great light. It is bright enough for use around the house and the batteries last forever. Even better they will work with cr123 batteries that other lights consider depleted.
 
The X5 is good but a little large IMO for pocket carry. IF you're fine with the size or have a sheath you could use I'd say go for it. I EDC a Fenix P2D, which is much less noticeable in the pocket and still gets great battery life if you use the low setting by default, switching to high power when needed.
 
I purchased a fenix L2D at the Eugene knife show this spring.
Compact,cheap enough for an EDC,no special batteries.
Believe this or not....180 lumins!!!I keep it at the bedside table for
a "house clearing" if needed.I'm not sure of the website for these
guys but you could google it and check it out...I like it.
Can't beat the price either!!!!:D

The Fenix L2D Q5 is an awesome light ... you can check them out here:

https://www.4sevens.com/

The Nitecore D10 is another amazing single AA light

good hunting
 
I just got an X5 in a swap recently. In size it is a bit much for the pants pocket, but just fine for a jacket pocket or to stash in a bag. It's dimensions are similar to a AA Maglight. Mine's in my car console at the moment. It is super bright and convenient to use with the push button tail cap/twist for constant on feature. The 123 batteries are expensive, but the light will give 20 hours with them.
 
Looking at the NiteCore D10, it seems like a better choice than the X5. Im just worried about the endurance of it; I dont wanna change my batteries often. A review on CandlePowerForums suggest the runtime is about 30 mins on max using a normal AA battery.
 
Another vote for the Fenix L2D Q5, imho it is the best valued AA light out there :)
 
The X5 is great if you don't mind all flood and no throw whatsoever. It is a battery vampire as mentioned above: it will suck every last drop out of cells that other lights won't run. I have 4 X5's - one white and 3 red. I don't own any other light in that quantity.

For AA performance lights (there are plenty from Fenix, OLight, etc) you really aren't going to see good returns on those plain alkaline cells. If you invest some small money in some good NiMH's though, especially some low self discharge cells like Eneloops, you will see great performance that you will eventually consider "free." I.E. you'll have to invest upfront in the cells and a charger, but then you don't have to keep buying cells over time - just recharge.

The modern AA high-performance lights just aren't tailored to alkaline AA's. If you have a stockpile, you can certainly use them, but expect short runtimes with poor regulation.

If you don't want to change batteries often, but still want a pocket rocket like the D10 or the smaller Fenix lights, you can run them on medium (or even medium-low) which most times will still give you more light than you would get out of the X5, especially if you need to illuminate at a slight distance. Comparing the runtime of a D10 on max to the runtime of the X5 is apples and oranges given the huge disparity in brightness.

The mentioned L2D will give amazing runtimes on AA's (again, not so much for alkalines). Just don't be so focused on the runtimes for turbo mode: look at the medium or low settings which you will more likely use around the house (and are more comparable to the brightness of the X5).
 
the nice thing about CR123As is that they have a ridiculously long shelf life. they're really not that much more expensive than AAs, either, if you know where to shop, usually about a buck a pop, which is less than I've been able to find lithium AAs for. check out the olight T10 and the fenix P20.
 
I've had a couple of Inova X5's for at least 4-5 years now, my favorites are the HA III ones CountyComm used to sell. Very tough finish. They were pretty good compared to the rest of the available lights when they first came out, but LED technology has come a long way since then. I mainly use them to finish off mostly depleted 123-cells from my Surefires now.

If you don't already have lights that use 123 cells, you're probably better off using a AA powered light. Maybe even an LED Minimag or a standard Minimag with an LED drop-in.
 
The single AA batt model Inova X1 is just as bright if not brighter than the old school X-5. Much smaller, long runtime and about $20- $25 at most big chain stores. But it is also almost all flood with little throw capability. I run Energizer brand 2200 mAH nickle metal hydrides rechargeables with very good results. For absolutely reliablity (long shelf life, extreme cold weather) go with the somewhat pricey lithiums. If your intended primary use is for the house (i.e. night time for the bathroom or fridge! :D), it will do just fine. If you require "tactical" high lumens output with blinding capability, then the Fenix models will do the job.

N.

www.dozierknives.com/forum
 
Im basically looking for a compact flashlight that I can EDC and use around the house.

As you are going to be carrying and using the light, I would suggest a Fenix 1 or 2 AA light, such as the L1/L2T or LD10/20. The low modes suffice for most tasks, with the benefit of a very bright high mode when needed, something the Inova cannot do.

Running a Fenix light on a decent rechargeable battery such as an Eneloop gives you very cheap running costs.
 
The Inova X5's days are over.
As a guy who owns a lot of lights, I have to respectfully disagree.

While the X5 no longer holds the place that it once did amongst the lights of today, it is a fantastic bomb-proof, end of the world, runs for-freakin'-ever, K.I.S.S. utility light.

Do I EDC one? No. But I have them stashed in various spots where I might one day need a light that works in crappy conditions and does so for a long damn time on a set of batteries (actually the Red X5 only uses one battery which I think is great). And I use one of my red ones quite frequently for assorted tasks at night.

So while I would say that they aren't the best choice for EDC, I think they fill a very valid role. As such, I can't get behind the idea that their day is over, even if they use 'obsolete' technology. Some of the same features which make them 'obsolete' make them more reliable and better able to get every last drop out of batteries.
 
X5 in the car, for exactly the reasons listed: good flood for working, lasts long, tough, etc. But, I wouldn't EDC either. I think the best EDC I have is the Surefire Lumamax L1. It is awesome.
 
I have several X5--but I prefer lights with more throw.

As to the battery issue--I am a convert to CR123. They are cheaper when you consider the run time and shelf life.
 
Having done more research, I've decided to go with a CR123A powered light. As for which one, Im leaning towards an iTP C9, and I might also buy the C7 body tube so I can convert it to AA if I really want to. Pretty sure Ill be buying from Derrick at KSF. :)
 
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