New Inova 2AAA LED penlight, model XP

[parnass]

Inova has a new 2AAA penlight on their web site. Looks like a 2AAA version of their 1AAA XS. It is listed as a dual mode light: 144/30 lumens with 1/34 hours runtime.

Link: http://www.niteize.com/product/Inova-XP-LED-Pen-FLashlight.asp

Water resistance rating is only IPX4 like most Inova X-series flashlights.

 

[DaveG]

Thanks for the heads up.I have the 1aaa model and like it.I will be on the lookout for this new one.

 

[ZMZ67]

I keep thinking I will pick up an XS as I have always liked the INOVA design but haven't done it yet.Now I will be looking out for one of these as well,there aren't many penlight designs that appeal to me but this does and it is moderately priced.I would be REALLY interested if there was a UV model of this light!

 

[parnass]

I am fond of the Inova XS, too, and use its low setting just about every night for "indoor navigation" without waking others.

 

[parnass]

I bought an Inova XP and the construction is robust, like the X1 and XS. The pocket clip is strong and does not slip around because it fits inside a channel.

The tint and beam quality on my Inova XP are good. I measured the current consumption (in mA) from 3 types of AAA batteries:

Battery Type	High Mode	Low Mode
Energizer Ultimate Lithium	558	120
Alkaline	550	98
Eneloop NiMH	550	51

The low brightness mode is not regulated and highly dependent on battery voltage. The difference in brightness between high and low modes is greatest when using NiMH batteries (1.2 V). The difference between the two modes is modest when using lithium primary batteries (1.7 V).

Though I usually power penlights with Energizer Ultimate Lithium primary batteries, NiMH batteries seem better suited for the Inova XP because they preserve the low brightness mode.

The Inova XP grew warm, not hot, during a continuous runtime test using freshly charged NiMH Eneloop batteries. I observed a slight decrease in brightness after 45 minutes. The dimming is very apparent and throw distance diminished after running the light for 70 minutes.

I stopped the test after 78 minutes. At that point, there was still a difference between high and low modes, but high mode had grown very dim.

Inova XP compared with Inova X1 below:

Inova XP, Mini Maglite 2AAA LED, Pelican 1920 (current version), Streamlight Protac 2AAA:

 

[Tesla]

I just received mine from Bright Guy this week. Three observations:
1 The tailcap is very stiff to twist compared to my one previous Inova light.
2 The size & styling is very nice for my use. Mine stays in my briefcase in a pen slot--perfect for that.
3 It's noticeably brighter in a wall test than my Streamlight Stylus Pro (with the tradeoff being runtime).

 

[parnass]

I just received mine from Bright Guy this week. Three observations:
1 The tailcap is very stiff to twist compared to my one previous Inova light.
2 The size & styling is very nice for my use. Mine stays in my briefcase in a pen slot--perfect for that.
3 It's noticeably brighter in a wall test than my Streamlight Stylus Pro (with the tradeoff being runtime).

Thanks for your observations, Tesla!

The tailcap on my Inova XP is stiff, too, compared to the 1AAA Inova XS. It was already greased at the factory, although I added some Nyogel and hope it will loosen up with use.

I used informal (naked eye) ceiling bounce tests with several lights to compare overall brightness, then took the lights outdoors to check throw. In high mode, the XP was slightly brighter overall than the new 80 lumen Inova X1, but they both threw light about the same distance.

The 144 lumen Inova XP had about the same overall brightness as my 120 lumen Pelican 1920 penlight in the ceiling bounce test.

 

[Tesla]

Thanks, parnass. Do you have any runtimes on alkalines vs Eveready ultimate lithiums?

 

[parnass]

Thanks, parnass. Do you have any runtimes on alkalines vs Eveready ultimate lithiums?

Sorry, I didn't measure runtime using alkaline or Ultimate Lithium batteries. I stopped using alkalines in flashlights due to the possibility of leakage. Lost a handful of flashlights to leaking alkaline batteries.

I would expect the Inova XP runtime using alkalines would be shorter than NiMH batteries.

BTW, I measured the runtime of a new Inova XS (1AAA) light in high mode using an Eneloop NiMH battery last night. Found it to be about the same as the Inova XP -- approximately 70 minutes.

 

[Revvy]

Can you give me any personal observations or preferences between the Xp and the Pelican 1920? I'm looking at these two lights and I'd like to hear what you think.
The only other 2aaa light I have is the 4sevens penlight. I'm looking for a good edc light for work and the 4sevens penlight turns on too easily.

 

[parnass]

Can you give me any personal observations or preferences between the Xp and the Pelican 1920?...

The Pelican has been my favorite penlight so far. I don't have enough experience yet with the Inova XP to judge whether I like it better than the Pelican.

I am fond of the 120/12 lumen Pelican 1920 and have used it quite a bit with Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries. But, I have not measured its runtime. I use the light mostly for short bursts of light and the Pelican's tailcap pushbutton makes momentary action super easy.

Momentary action on the Inova XP is more difficult to attain due to the different construction of the tailcap switch which has only a tiny amount of travel. Therefore, I use the XP and all my other Inova X series lights as "twisties."

As you can see from the earlier photo, the Inova XP is shorter and quite a bit more slender than the Pelican 1920. The XP would blend in better in an office enviroment if you don't want to attract attention.

On what brightness level do you use your penlight most often? For how long? What type of batteries will you use with your penlight?

The Inova XP's low and high modes are too close together when powered by Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries, but are OK on NiMH. The Pelican 1920's levels are distinct enough with both types of batteries.

The Pelican 1920 is easier to use. I prefer the smaller form factor of the Inova. Both lights feel solidly built have very good clips for shirt pocket carry.

I need to use the Inova XP longer to gain experience with it.

 

[parnass]

Revvy,

I just tested the Pelican 1920 runtime using Eneloops and it appears to go into a power saving mode after a while to prolong battery life. I first detected PWM being used at about 30 minutes into the test. Dimming was apparent at 45 minutes and became serious at 55 minutes. At 55 minutes, I switched modes for a second. When I switched back into high mode, the Pelican became very bright again and I detected no PWM.

I stopped the test after 76 minutes when the Pelican grew very dim and resetting it did not increase the brightness.

I'll have to recheck the Inova XP to see if it has a power reduction mode which can be reset like the Pelican.

 

[Revvy]

Thanks for all this. I'm going to pick one up. I need robust and small and I think this might be it.

 

[leon2245]

OT- parnass, have you seen jil lite's latest 2xaaa penlight? I would like to know your thoughts on it if you ever got a chance to test it. Only thing that concerns me is boot durability.

 

[parnass]

OT- parnass, have you seen jil lite's latest 2xaaa penlight? ....

PM sent.

 

[appliancejunk]

Just ordered a inova xp. I have edc a streamlight stylus pro for over a year after first trying half a dozen 2xAAA penlights. One thing I really come to like with the stylus pro is the size as I carry it in my front shirt pocket daily. I was very excited to see that the inova xp is the same diameter as the stylus pro, but even shorter! Cant wait to try it out.

 

[appliancejunk]

Well two weeks after I ordered my Inova XP I finally got my hands on one.

The first order I placed with brightguy seem to have got lost over the holiday weekend, but brightguy was quick to ship out a second one ASAP.
But then when I finally received it I noticed something was wrong. As you can see from the photo the bezel is out about 1/8" - 1/4" from the body of the flashlight, factory defect I guess. No fault of brightguy, but once again they sent out another one ASAP along with a prepaid post return label for me to send the defective one back.

So like I said a couple weeks after placing my order I finally got my hands on one, lol...
Would like to point out that brightguy was great to work with. I have ordered from them before and would not hesitate to order from them again.

One thing I wondered about with the inova xp was the diameter of the flashlight. The specs on the Inova site list the dimensions as 4.64" x 0.78"
http://www.niteize.com/product/Inova-XP-LED-Pen-FLashlight.asp

But the Inova XS 1xAAA flashlight only has a diameter of only 0.60"
http://www.niteize.com/product/INOVA-XS-LED-Flashlight.asp

I could not understand why Inova would increase the diameter of the XP compared to the XS model as both are AAA flashlights.
I emailed brightguy asking about the diameter of the new XP flashlight and he told me it was the same size diameter as the XS he had.

I really hoped it was as the Streamlight Stylus Pro that I have been EDC in my front work shirt pocket is also a 2xAAA with a diameter of 0.60" and I really like that size diameter for a penlight.

Well I can in fact confirm that the Inova XP and Stylus Pro both have the same diameter as shown in the photos.

Being Inova clearly listed the wrong diameter of the flashlight I had to wonder about the length. Inova seems to have correctly listed the length of the flashlight at 4.64", or at least close enough for me.

The Inova XP is just a little bit short then my EDC Stylus Pro, well actually it's quite a bit shorter.

I don't recall seeing a photo of how Inova puts the serial number inside the battery tube of the XP so here is a photo of my Inova XP serial number.

I have only had the chance to use it for one day so far, but here are some of my first thoughts about the XP compared to my Stylus Pro.

With a fresh set of eneloops in both flashlights I can clearly see that the XP is much brighter on high then my Stylus Pro.

The twist switch was stiff at first and I could not work it one handed with my thumb and figure like I believe others have reported, but after putting one drop of some old super lube I had sitting around it worked much better. I can now easily twist the switch on and off with one hand using my thumb and finger.

The push button is very nice for quick inspections, it always come on high first and then low with a quick off and back on of the switch.

I can easily go from momentary on to constant on with a twist of the switch well still holding it one handed.

Besides having a much brighter spot then my Stylus Pro it also has more throw and more flood out from the spot. I find the beam pattern to be just a incredible combination of brightness, spot/flood and throw for a 2xAAA penlight.

The size, weight and feel well holding it in my hand is also very nice.

I did a lot of research and tried a number of penlights a little over a year ago before I decided on the Stylus Pro. I have been EDC the Stylus Pro in the front pocket of my work shirt for over a year now and have been extremely happy with it and never imagined I would find anything better, but I think I may just have.

IMHO the Inova XP is better for me then my Stylus Pro because it's brighter along with a better beam and it has a shorter body. I also think it looks sharper with the stainless steal bezel and pocket clip.

I have owned other Inova lights, one 1xAAA I EDC for a year and the black finish on them seem to hold up much better then the finish on my Stylus Pro.

One really nice thing about penlights is they don't take up much room so it's easy to carry more then one at a time.

Going to keep carriing both the Inova XP and Stylus Pro for the next few days so I can keep comparing them to each other, but so far I think my EDC penlight my just be getting replace with the Inova XP.

 

[parnass]

AJ, it sounds like you went through quite an ordeal to get your Inova XP. But, all's well that ends well.

I, too, contacted Nite-Ize about the Inova XP's dimensions and was told that the width measurement listed on the web site includes the pocket clip. That didn't strike me as a good way to market their pen light.

Glad the XP is working out for you. My XP is resting in a shirt pocket as I type this. :thumbsup:

 

[Ryp]

That's one short penlight.

 

[appliancejunk]

Interesting to know that Inova includes the clip in with the diameter of the flashlight.

Yes, it is one short penlight. Makes it great for shirt pocket or front pants pocket along side my wallet.

Before I started EDC a penlight in my shirt pocket I use to EDC one type or another 1xAA flashlight in my front pants pocket next to my wallet.

Any penlight I have tried up until now has been a little to long for me to carry in my front pants pocket next to my wallet, but the Inova XP changed that.

Most days I have a shirt pocket I can slip my penlight into, but on the days I have a pocketless t-shirt on being able to slip my Inova XP in my pants pocket along side my wallet will be nice.