Can't decide on Inova X2 old vs new?

[ThreeBean]

I have a quick question. The local Target has the Inova flashlights at 50% off. I cannot decide between an older version of the x2 and the current one.

Old one:
107 lumen
3:40 runtime


New one:
150/18 lumen
1:10/60:00 runtime


I am buying it as it runs of AAs so they are cheap to put new batteries in (i already have an X03). I want the newer one but the 1:10 runtime bothers me. Seems like a very short time for a flashlight to run.


Is it worth the extra brightness for the much shorter runtime - would i be dumb to get the older single mode one?


Thanks in advance!

 

[joe1512]

I dont really like the Inova honestly. They use white 5mm LEDs instead of a power LED. They look blueish tint to me, have no throw, and are really expensive for what you are getting.

You can get a 40 dollar Olight SA2 or any of numerous brands that use 2xAAs that can produce over 200 lumens easily with a nice beam profile.

check out goinggear.com and go to flashlights, 2xAA and just browse through the various offerings. Your best bet will likely be an XP-G emitter style. You get 3 or 4 brightness levels, a nice blend of throw and flood, and whatever style you want.

 

[ThreeBean]

Thanks for the advice - i spent quite a while looking around that site. They have a 4Sevens Quark "X" AA² on sale for 45 that looks quite good. I may well keep my money and wait to get something a bit more upscale.

It's just that it's hard to resist a light at half price.

 

[joe1512]

I hear ya, but its better to get 1 really good light than keep buying cheap crap. Ive bought multiple of those awful 9-LED lights at hardware stores. They all suck bad. I was gonna get a 99 LED showerhead-looking-thing when I found this site and discovered the Truth.

If you want a cheaper option that is still pretty solid, check out shiningbeam.com. Look at the Romisen lights. A 2xAA XP-G emitter is what you want most likely and is 25 bucks or so (plus shipping). The 1xAA options won't be as bright due to less voltage to the LED.

You might consider the flood to throw options as they are really cool! In pure flood, there is no hotspot so they make great work lights. In throw mode, they look like lightsabers and you can see way off. They are a bit ringy (beam isnt beautiful) but I really like them. Some do, some dont so check out a youtube video first, looking for flood to throw led flashlight.

A 3xAAA option works well too, as it will be as bright as a 2xAA but much shorter than the 2xAA one, if you prefer that form factor.


I would avoid the CR123/18650 ones since those batteries are expensive and specialty things. Stick with AA/AAA and Id consider eventually investing in a good AA/AAA/C/D Universal Smart Charger as they are quite handy around the house.

 

[radu1976]

How much is TARGET charging for the older - 107 lumens - version ?
I don't think that 1:10hrs is a corect runtime on HIGH for the dual output. I bet that with NiMH the light should last 2hrs if not more
1:10 on 150 lumens and 60hrs on 18 lumens ??!! Nah, the light is definetely more efficient on lower draw but not as much, out of question .

 

[ZMZ67]

I dont really like the Inova honestly. They use white 5mm LEDs instead of a power LED. They look blueish tint to me, have no throw, and are really expensive for what you are getting.

You can get a 40 dollar Olight SA2 or any of numerous brands that use 2xAAs that can produce over 200 lumens easily with a nice beam profile.

check out goinggear.com and go to flashlights, 2xAA and just browse through the various offerings. Your best bet will likely be an XP-G emitter style. You get 3 or 4 brightness levels, a nice blend of throw and flood, and whatever style you want.

You are thinking of the X5 with the 5MM LEDs,the X2 uses a power LED.As for the original question I would opt for the old version if it is half-price,assuming it wasn't drastically overpriced to begin with,it should be a very good light for the money.I like the older INOVA single level lights better than the new dual-mode models even though the new ones are brighter.You can always pick up a multi-mode light down the road if the X2 doesn't meet your needs.

 

[joe1512]

I guess the X2 would be alright, probably using a Luxeon or Rebel emitter. Still, Romisens are 25 bucks or less and have the cool flood-to-throw option if the OP decides he likes that. If not, their fixed lens models are quite decent too and will use an XP-G most likely with several modes.

 

[ThreeBean]

The Target by me has the old version for $18 (if it's still there). I already got an x03 on clearance so i am waiting to see if the x2 will make it to the eventual 75% off (i don't really NEED another light).


I have an x5 that I got on clearance some years back when they were still made by Emissive Energy. It's the model that has regular LEDs in it and not as bright as the x2 or x03, but It does exactly what I wanted it for - rides around in the glovebox for emergencies.


Have you noticed a pattern here? I picked up a couple Maglite XL100s when Target got rid of those for $10 a piece. I wouldn't have bought them at the original asking price, but i can say they have served me well.


Thanks again Joe for the links to the other flashlights. There are some pretty nice ones out there that are not too far off from my budget. Of course after looking at those I start thinking that "for a couple bucks more" i could get a slightly better one. (Those zebralights are pretty neat.) It appears that liking flashlights is a slippery slope!

 

[nikon]

Is it worth the extra brightness for the much shorter runtime - would i be dumb to get the older single mode one?

In reality, there's not a lot of difference in runtime between the two versions. The older model draws about 600mA at the tailcap while the newer one draws about 800mA. If you want long runtime you can use the lower setting on the new model.

 

[SirZoltan]

Even older vs newer...

I have seen one of the old USA [assembled] Emmissive 85 Lumen X2s around. Is there any advantage to this even older model over the 107 Lumen model? I haven't seen any of the 150 Lumen model around [prob the early birds got them].

I read th post saying to consider a bit nicer light for a bit more $$. I hear that, but I'm still curious about the X2.

Any idea what the battery life was like on the 85 Lumen model? Is the build quality of the 85 any better than the quality of the 107 or 150 model?

Many thanks,
Chad

 

[ZMZ67]

To the OP-$18 is a good price on that X2 I doubt you can find as good a light for that money.

SirZoltan- I don't think you will find any advantages in the 85 lumen model.Some of the older INOVAs may be a little better quality than the new ones but keep in mind that even when Emmissive Energy was making the lights they were largely made in China and then assembled in the U.S.,at least that is my understanding.I would guess that the lights are still being made in the same place,they are just being completed there now instead of the U.S.Although INOVA lights may be technically inferior to other lights in the same price range they seem to have a better fit and finish IMHO.

 

[SirZoltan]

ZMZ67 - thanks for the to the point and courteous post!

I have noticed that there are a lot of "cheaper" lights out there, but as you said they do not have the fit, finish and polish of Inova [Nite Ize] lights.

A lot of the cheap lights can't even center the emitter. What the heck? Are you realling telling me those extra few seconds to get it right aren't worth the effort?

Thanks again,
Chad

 

[JohnnyBravo]

Just got my 107 lumens version in today's mail. Man this thing has got a terrific fit and finish/build quality to it! I love how good looking the light is, meaning: the body is free of a lot of writing. No CE symbol, no Caution Hot Surface triangle symbol, no visible QR code, no www.blahblah.com on the tail, etc. The owner's manual says Assembled in USA:twothumbs, and I understand it has a lifetime warranty. I think this is my favorite 2AA now...