Best Ultra Violet(UV) Torch?

[Underworld_Magic]

Hi all,

Im looking for a powerful, yet handy torch which must be UV for forensic use. Ive been looking at the Inova X5 and it seems really nice, I cant find anywhere what the actur power output of this torch is in the UV version.

Ive also been looking at the Mini Magliteand the UV replacement bulb you can purchase (made by a third party) - apparently ment to be the "most powerful UV light in the world"

The torch must be LED, and be powerful with an even distribution of light, i prefer no hotspots

So you have any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[orcinus]

Streamlight has two versions of Twin-Task 3C with UV LED's.

The silver one has 6 390nm LEDs, while the black one has 3 390nm and 3 375nm ones. I have the silver one and it's pretty powerful as far as UV lights go, is focusable to a degree and the UV beam seems pretty uniform even though the LEDs are placed in a ring around the incan bulb.

I'm not sure if it'd be too big for your requirements, though. It's a 3C light.

 

[tsask]

I like my iNova X5 UV LED.
I EDC my ARC AAA UV on keys. It does work well. but it's not that bright

 

[RyanA]

Meh I have a x5, and x1 uv. I don't like either that much. They aren't especially bright like my A19, and the NM range isn't great. I'd say go with a SL stylus UV about $20 from brightguy. A warning though. it takes odd batteries (aaaa) Another option is the Arc aaa-uv, which I chose to edc keychain carry and I feel is an excelent light.

I belive photon also makes a 375nm uv keychain light. Haven't tried that one yet though.

 

[afraidofdark]

I have three UV lights from Peak:
-- McKinley CR123 with 7 LEDs
-- Matterhorn AAA with 3 LEDs
-- Shasta N-cell with 3 LEDs

The Shasta is the smallest, the McKinley the most powerful, and the Matterhorn quite powerful running on an alkaline AAA. For small size and nearly as much power as the McKinley, the Matterhorn is my favorite. All these models are very small and fit easily in the watch pocket of your jeans.

I think I read somewhere that the UV LEDs Peak uses are 395nm. Since these are multi-emitter lights, there is no hot spot. Also you can buy these lights with different output levels: high power for good output and long run time, and ultra power for very high output and somewhat shorter run time.

You can choose between HA aluminum, brass, and stainless steel for these. The build quality of Peak lights is superb.

 

[CM]

Hi all,

Im looking for a powerful, yet handy torch which must be UV for forensic use. Ive been looking at the Inova X5 and it seems really nice, I cant find anywhere what the actur power output of this torch is in the UV version.

Ive also been looking at the Mini Magliteand the UV replacement bulb you can purchase (made by a third party) - apparently ment to be the "most powerful UV light in the world"

The torch must be LED, and be powerful with an even distribution of light, i prefer no hotspots

So you have any suggestions?

Thanks

What range do you expect to use the light at? If you're looking for "even distribution of light" with no hotspots, you probably want multiple 5mm LED configurations. These will give a nice flood. These guys might be worth checking out (I have no experience with them)

http://www.xenopuselectronix.com/xeled/indexcsi.html

 

[Underworld_Magic]

Thanks for all your replies,

I had looked at the Streamlight Stylus UV, but that isnt enough light output and spread that i require.

What range do you expect to use the light at? ----- Well is there is a large wall to inspect, id probably say 5m back. Then go closer depanding on what hidden treasures i find

UV lights dont seem to say how much lumens, or candlepower they have so its hard to compare them.

I dont want a small keyring light they wont give me the spread i require (imagine turning up to a crime scene and getting out my keys with a "***** Wagon" keyring on it to examine bodily fluids LOL

Ive researched the Inova X5, and they seem to retail in the UK for about £45, its cheaper for me to order it from the USA, does anyone know a store where they wont rip me off on postage to the UK? (one store charges $75) actually it would only cost under $10 AIRMAIL.


Thanks all for your suggestions.

 

[rizky_p]

this one might be an overkill.

http://www.spectroline.com/forensic_security/forensic_kits_ofk-6000.html

 

[Underworld_Magic]

this one might be an overkill.

http://www.spectroline.com/forensic_security/forensic_kits_ofk-6000.html

Nice one, a really handy little kit - but would cost me an arm and a leg. Thats more like what a police force would buy for the whole forensic unit; im just after a handy UV light i can carry (like the Inova X5) Im looking for suggestions for a better torch than that - if there are any??

Another question, Im already a proud ownder of a Streamlight Stylus Pro (really handy little torch) - would it be possable to "convert" this into a UV light by using some kind of filter?

 

[Jaygnar]

You cant convert a regular led to UV with a filter. There simply isn't enough if any UV light being produced by the emitter. You could have one of the guys in the custom forum mod the stylus for you if you really like the design. Personally, I think it might be helpful if you were more specific about the forensic use you'll be using it for.
I have one if these.
http://store.advancedmart.com/32ledlireuvu.html
It works great in my 3D mag.
I use it for scorpion detection. (Scorpions glow in UV)
Scroll down on this page for lots of cheap fun options.
http://www.dealextreme.com/search.dx/search.uv
Hope this helps.

 

[Bronco]

I've not seen this one discussed here before, but it looks like it would be fairly powerful. Plus it's rechargeable and is advertised to run for 5 hours on a full charge:

http://shop.armorforensics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RedWop&Product_Code=VEC-7

 

[Bronco]

Also, be sure to check out the Amilite Neo T5 UV model. It's a relatively tiny 1xCR123 style light, but appears to be significantly more powerful than the Inova X5 UV model (see comparative beam shots in the link provided below). It would also be less expensive than the Vector (and much easier to carry). It operates at a wavelength around 400 nm, however, which some of the experts around here have mentioned is a bit higher than optimal. I can personally vouch for the outstanding build quality of Amilite products.

http://www.amilite.co.kr/product.asp?gc=678

 

[Helmut.G]

UV lights dont seem to say how much lumens, or candlepower they have so its hard to compare them.

that's cause lumens and candlepower are measurements for visible light and are adjusted to the human eyes
for example 1 watt of green light with the wavelength of 555 nanometers is equal to 683 lumens
1 watt of red light with the wavelength of 650 nm is equal to 73 lumens
1 watt of violet light with the wavelength of 400 nm is equal to 0.3 lumens
as you can see, these ratings are rather 'unfair' from an objective point of view, but represent our perception
thats why you can't measure UV light in lumens, its not visible so its 0 lumens regardless of the actual power of the device

 

[tsask]

Also, be sure to check out the Amilite Neo T5 UV model. It's a relatively tiny 1xCR123 style light, but appears to be significantly more powerful than the Inova X5 UV model (see comparative beam shots in the link provided below).
http://www.amilite.co.kr/product.asp?gc=678[/quote

THANKS! I didn't know the Amilite was available in UV, that may be just what I needed to make one part of my collection.

 

[Underworld_Magic]

Also, be sure to check out the Amilite Neo T5 UV model. It's a relatively tiny 1xCR123 style light, but appears to be significantly more powerful than the Inova X5 UV model

http://www.amilite.co.kr/product.asp?gc=678

Bonco - how can i thank you!!!!!!! this light looks amazing and it has a 395 ~ 410 nm Ultra Violet 2 stage switch (which i dont believe the inova one does). Compared to the Inova it is much better, smaller, brighter -- but the Amilite does have a hotspot compared to the Inova which is an evenly spread glow.

Ill take your word for the build quality - the website doesnt seem to say much about the build and the material used etc...normally companies (like surefire,streamlight etc) like to bragg about the "aircraft material" its made from...the website doesnt seems to say much about the build quality or anything, and not even the burn time of the battery.

Helmut.G - Thanks for the lesson. I just learned something new - thanks ...so HOW exactly is UV light measured? The AmiLite Neo T5 UV says in its spec "Flux: 200 mW, 395 ~ 410 nm Ultra Violet" So im guessing the "Flux" is output?

 

[orcinus]

Is 395-410 a short enough wavelength for forensic use?
I was under the impression 375 nm is more commonly used in that line of work...

 

[Underworld_Magic]

Is 395-410 a short enough wavelength for forensic use?
I was under the impression 375 nm is more commonly used in that line of work...

You can use different wavelengths for certain applications within forensics ie. Bodily fluids, luminol treatment etc. i just checked on one of our forensic torch kits (UV) and the range stated on the kit is 310 to 400nm.

 

[JohnB]

The FoxFury dual use LED/UV is a good solution.
http://www.liotec.com/FoxFury-main page.htm

John

Hi all,

Im looking for a powerful, yet handy torch which must be UV for forensic use. Ive been looking at the Inova X5 and it seems really nice, I cant find anywhere what the actur power output of this torch is in the UV version.

Ive also been looking at the Mini Magliteand the UV replacement bulb you can purchase (made by a third party) - apparently ment to be the "most powerful UV light in the world"

The torch must be LED, and be powerful with an even distribution of light, i prefer no hotspots

So you have any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[smc]

I just received this ...

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10709

It's very bright with good throw. So bright you don't want to point it anywhere near your eyes. It is not floody. Not sure of the runtime, but I've had it on for almost 2 hours continuous.

 

[HKJ]

I just received this ...

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10709

It's very bright with good throw. So bright you don't want to point it anywhere near your eyes. It is not floody. Not sure of the runtime, but I've had it on for almost 2 hours continuous.

I have this one too, but the wavelength of the UV is not the best for all purposes.
In this thread our can see the difference between the UV from that light and from a ARC UV light:

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=202226