X5T UV LED Flashlight, retail $ (www.inovalight.com...)
Manufactured by Emissive Energy Corp. (5 Division St. Warwick RI 02818)
Last updated 10-14-11
The Inova X5T is a UVA (ultraviolet-A or just "longwave ultraviolet") flashlight that comes in an exceptionally tough & durable aluminum body, has five 5mm UVA LEDs (spectrographically measured at 395nm) in its head, and it feeds from two CR123A lithium camera cells.
The UVA radiation emitted by this product is useful in many ways.
Let's just name a few of them off from memory.
Detecting uranation, sperm, perspiration, saliva, or other bodily fluids on fabrics
Detecting repairs of antique glass articles -- repairs will "glow"
Determining where Fido or Fluffy was bad
Activation of fluorescent inks/dyes (such as "blacklight" posters)
Charging glow-in-the-dark fishing bait -- charging *ANY* glow-in-the-dark material actually
Checking money, credit cards and ID cards for security features only visible under UVA radiation
SIZE
This flashlight is fairly straightforward to use. To get momentary light, press the rubberized button on the tailcap. For continuous or hands-free use, twist the tailcap clockwise until you get light, and unscrew it to turn the Inova back off.
To change the batteries, unscrew and remove the tailcap, throw it to the ground, and stomp on it with old or used bowling shoes...O WAIT!!! YOU'LL NEED THAT!!! So just set it aside instead.
Tip the two used CR123A cells out of the barrel and into your hand, and dispose of or recycle them as you see fit.
Insert two new CR123A cells into the barrel, orienting them both so that their flat-ends (-) negatives go in first. This is the opposite of how the batteries are installed in most other flashlights, so please pay attention to polarity here.
Finally, screw the tailcap on, and back it off a bit when the Inova springs to life so you don't just waste those brand spanken new batteries.
Aren't you glad you didn't stomp on that tailcap now?
Current usage measures 245mA on my DMM's 4A scale.
The Inova X5T UV is a very tough, and is made entirely of 2011 "aircraft grade" aluminum. It is said to withstand being run over by a car. According to the package, a stainless steel version is also available which is stronger yet. For most users however, the aluminum version is beefy enough to take whatever misfortune you may bestow upon it.
The LEDs are recessed into individual "compartments" on the business end of the Inova, and are fairly well protected from damage unless something gets in there. Standing the Inova on a flat surface with the LEDs facing down will do no harm, but since they're just barely recessed, it is possible for small rocks and sand to get to them and eventually lead to the possibility of scratching or marring them. The walls of each compartment are also a millimeter or so away from the sides of the LEDs, so after spending a lot of time in a pants pocket, you may find lint stuck in there. Should this become bothersome, it can be taken care of by turning off the Inova (screwing the bezel all the way down), running the light under the faucet and gouging the lint out with a toothpick; or blasting the lint out of the holes with one of those "water pick" type teeth cleaners.
The Inova is waterproof and submersible to 150 feet, provided you maintain the O-ring as directed on the instruction card.
In this case, that means cleaning the threads & O-ring & lubricating with silicone grease at least every six months.
The instruction card says to use petroleum jelly (Vaseline), but this can't be too good for the O-ring in the long term. It will work fine if nothing else is available, however.
The Inova X5 being run over by one of those 400lb Rascalator electric scooter/wheelchair thingies.
The body of the X5T UV is textured with a series of deep vertical ribs. While this is nice, they are less useful than they could be because the bezel (the part you turn) is completely
smooth. This could make the X5T UV harder to turn on & off with very cold or wet hands, and maybe even next to impossible with thick gloves on.
They should add some kind of deep texturing to the bezel; as this would greatly extend the Inova's overall usefulness in harsher environments.
Beam on the target from ~12 inches away.
The color is not that bright magenta you see in the photo, but is instead a deep royal purple.
The LEDs appear to range in wavelength from 404nm to 406nm.
Spectrographic analysis of the LEDs in this flashlight.
Same as above; newer spectrometer software & settings used.
Same as above; yet newer spectrometer software & settings used.
Same as above; spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 380nm and 420nm
to pinpoint peak wavelength; which appears to be ~395nm.
Same as above; spectrometer's response narrowed to a range between 370nm and 420nm to pinpoint peak wavelength; which appears to be ~395.20nm; newer spectrometer software & settings used.
Spectrographic analysis of the fluorescence of a uranated* glass marble when irradiated with this light.
Spectrographic analysis of the fluorescence of the 2009 NIA commemorative insulator in uranated* glass when irradiated with this light.
*"Uranated" - infused with an oxide of uranium, *NOT* "pist off"...er...uh...I mean PYST ON.
Commonly referred to as "Vaseline glass" because it has
a distinct pale yellow-green color when not being irradiated.
Note spelling: "urAnated", not "urEnated","urInated",
"urOnated", "urUnated", or sometimes "urYnated".
USB2000 spectrometer graciously donated by P.L.
Beam cross-sectional analysis. Image made using the ProMetric System by Radiant Imaging.
That squarish "dip" to the left of center that queered the test is a defect
in the ProMetric's CCD array which cannot be repaired or compensated for.
TEST NOTES:
I purchased the Inova X5T UV from a Candlepower Forums group buy on 10-17-03 (or "17 Oct 2003" if you prefer), and it came on 10-24-03 (or "24 Oct 2003").
UPDATE: 00-00-00
PROS:
Super tough -- damn near indestructible actually
Waterproof and submersible
NUV (near UV) LEDs are quite powerful
Lithium batteries aid in cold weather operation
"Caution" label for ultraviolet radiation is quite prominent
CONS:
No texturing or longitudinal ribbing on the bezel (applies to original white LED X5 and this X5T only).
Batteries aren't as easy to find as AA, C, or D sized ones would be in an emergency.
Batteries can be locally expensive, up to $14.00 apiece in some areas.
MANUFACTURER: Emissive Energy
PRODUCT TYPE: Small tactical-style UVA torch
LAMP TYPE: 5mm UV LED
No. OF LAMPS: 5
BEAM TYPE: Narrow flood with soft fall-off toward perimeter
SWITCH TYPE: Twist tailcap on/off; push tailcap momentary
CASE MATERIAL: Metal
BEZEL: Metal; LEDs inset into individual hosels for them
BATTERY: 2x CR123A cells
CURRENT CONSUMPTION: 245mA
WATER- AND URANATION-RESISTANT: Yes
SUBMERSIBLE: Yes, to 150 feet
ACCESSORIES: 2x Sanyo CR123A cells
SIZE: 4.750" (12.07cm) L x 0.865" (2.20cm) D
WEIGHT: 3.490 oz (99.0g)
COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE: United States
WARRANTY: Limited lifetime (10 yrs. in Germany)
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SIZE
is a defect
