woodrow
Flashlight Enthusiast
More beamshots added...see post 18
I have always been somewhat of a fickle Inova fan. They gave me my first cool led flashlight... The X5 back in 2002. I had a love/hate relationship with the first T series T4&T5 lights. I loved their toughness..and decent brightness for the time (Lux III) but Hated their "rings of Saturn" beams that left most things other than what was illuminated by the spot in the dark.
I was dissapointed with the 2007 Inova T3 which was seriously outgunned by the 2007 Cree lights, but the 2008 T1 was decent. So I thought I owed it to Inova to have the opportunity to impress me again and decided to give the new Carbon Fiber Inforce 6v a try. I had no choice really... Its made out of Carbon Fiber after all...How cool is that?!!!
The Inforce 6v is Inova's answer to the Surefire G2L. It retails for $5 more (at least mine did from the nice folks at Brightguy) and I am sure Inova has some hopes of winning some Military and L.E. market share with this one. First, Lets look at the light and how it comes. I put a Olight T20M next to it for a size reference.
Packaging is decent...not nearly as nice as their much more expensive Color series lights which include a nice case...but adaquate for the light to be hung in a big box store. Runtime specs are JUST A TAD optamistic...at 10 hours. See Chao's nice graph on post #60 by scrolling down on this page: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=223902&page=2
But I know another company that kinda fudged its P60L numbers as well when it came out. See Chevrofreak's graph here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=176621&highlight=g2l
The 6V does have a unique shape and feel. It feels tough and I like that it does not have any sharp edges to rip up your pockets. It also (unlike the G2) has a built in long belt/pocket/MOLLE clip that realy does not make it harder to hold, but should do a good job allowing it to be secured to a pocket or belt.
Its switch is unique in that it is not a rubber boot that sits under a lip in the tailcap...the boot is sealed to the body and sits on the outside. The switch is push for momentary (is noisless) twist to lock on or can be turned to lock out activation.
The belt clip has a spot to attatch a thick lanyard or 550 paracord. It is also replacable.
Of course...being an Inova...the batteries go in Backwards! :shakehead
The bezel has hard rubberish teeth that will show if the light is on while set bezel down... and should do a margional job of protecting the lens if it falls face down to the ground.
The reflector/tir is the new Trios II which actually does a good job of giving out a beam that throws well for such a small light...while providing a decent amount of spill. The reflector is well centered....but Greg at Brightguy warned me thier would be a "flaw" in the reflector. It Does Not affect the beam...but you can see here where it is not flush with the lens all the way around.
Had I not been told It was there... I most likely would have not noticed it for days... as it does not affect the beam it does not bother me... but I know that it would some.
The led is one of the new models. I took a picture of it next to the Olight T20's Q5. My lens is a little above center on the Inova..the led is not off center.
One thing I really like about the Inova vs. the G2 is that the 6V is rated to be survive a short immersion in water without allowing water to enter the light. Which I tested
Well, the important question is, "What does its beam look like?" The answer is... Not bad at all. It is WAAAY better than the Trios I lights...and more throw than the all flood T1 model. (2008)
Here is a quick shot on my ceiling.
Here is a shot in my backyard. The target bush is 17 yards away. (f/2.8 1.5" iso 64 wb daylight) Still no tripod...sorry.
So, as you can see...good Trios throw, especially for such a small sized light...but without the Saturn rings... and with decent spill.
Things I like about the light:
I like that the Inforce 6V is very light and feels tough. The beam is obviously not as bright as Surefires E2DL or new L4's "120 lumens"...but we know those lights are really putting out closer to 200 than 120. I have no problem believing that the light is putting out an honest 119 lumens. For the light it is trying to compete with...the G2L...it is much brighter than the G2L's 80 dimming lumens. (I do not know if the P60L dims as much with the new aluminum head...I have not seen a runtime graph after Chevrofreak's with the resin head)
I do like that the 6V does not really get too warm when left on for a decent amount of time.
I like the clip and size of the light. That the head is not bigger than the body. I like that I can put it in a pocket and not have to lock the tailcap completely to off without worrying that the light will come on on its own.
Finally, like that the light is highly water resistant...and I like the beam! Something I was greatly concerned about. I think Inova did a good job with the Trios II. I am very tempted to pick up the 9v as well.
Things I don't like:
The tailcap (at least on day one) feels like someone keeps putting a very light dab of lok-tite on the tailcap each time I put it down and pick it up...like I have to break the lok-tite seal for it to turn freely....I am told this will get better...but it is annoying. I cannot turn the light to constant on with one hand. Maybe it is a trade off of carbon fiber...maybe just Inova....time will tell. (edit: Fixed...see post #12 below)
I wish the lens was a little farther back into the light. If it falls face down into gravel... the little rubber teeth may not stick out far enough to keep the lens from being scratched.
Overall...
I think Inova made a good light. It feels very tough and is light enough to be forgotten about until it is needed. Is it better than the G2L.... Well YES and No. It is brighter and has a regulated output. It can use 17670's and run flat...and the led does not make the light step down in power when it gets hot. It is more water resistant and has a clip...(and in my case the P60L that came in my light was VERY BLUE) this led is white...just one sample...but how many bad color P60L's are out there that we have all seen or heard about.
That is also where the G2L has serious advantages over the 6V. The G2L can work with a Malkoff or any other same sized dropin (high output drop in users should be careful of heat issues) The G2L has a million holster, beam shaper and every other kind of accessory availible. The Inova does not have nearly as many. It does have weapons mounts, holsters and a preasure switch availible though.
So, the Inforce 6V on its own vs. the G2L on its own....it is a easily better light IMHO. But the G2L has enough mod and accessories options that Inova may have a tough sell on its hands to try to convince SF buyers to switch over.
The fact that it has made what I would consider a Good light is a nice step in the right direction. Good job on this one Inova...
Thanks for reading.
I have always been somewhat of a fickle Inova fan. They gave me my first cool led flashlight... The X5 back in 2002. I had a love/hate relationship with the first T series T4&T5 lights. I loved their toughness..and decent brightness for the time (Lux III) but Hated their "rings of Saturn" beams that left most things other than what was illuminated by the spot in the dark.
I was dissapointed with the 2007 Inova T3 which was seriously outgunned by the 2007 Cree lights, but the 2008 T1 was decent. So I thought I owed it to Inova to have the opportunity to impress me again and decided to give the new Carbon Fiber Inforce 6v a try. I had no choice really... Its made out of Carbon Fiber after all...How cool is that?!!!
The Inforce 6v is Inova's answer to the Surefire G2L. It retails for $5 more (at least mine did from the nice folks at Brightguy) and I am sure Inova has some hopes of winning some Military and L.E. market share with this one. First, Lets look at the light and how it comes. I put a Olight T20M next to it for a size reference.
Packaging is decent...not nearly as nice as their much more expensive Color series lights which include a nice case...but adaquate for the light to be hung in a big box store. Runtime specs are JUST A TAD optamistic...at 10 hours. See Chao's nice graph on post #60 by scrolling down on this page: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=223902&page=2
But I know another company that kinda fudged its P60L numbers as well when it came out. See Chevrofreak's graph here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=176621&highlight=g2l
The 6V does have a unique shape and feel. It feels tough and I like that it does not have any sharp edges to rip up your pockets. It also (unlike the G2) has a built in long belt/pocket/MOLLE clip that realy does not make it harder to hold, but should do a good job allowing it to be secured to a pocket or belt.
Its switch is unique in that it is not a rubber boot that sits under a lip in the tailcap...the boot is sealed to the body and sits on the outside. The switch is push for momentary (is noisless) twist to lock on or can be turned to lock out activation.
The belt clip has a spot to attatch a thick lanyard or 550 paracord. It is also replacable.
Of course...being an Inova...the batteries go in Backwards! :shakehead
The bezel has hard rubberish teeth that will show if the light is on while set bezel down... and should do a margional job of protecting the lens if it falls face down to the ground.
The reflector/tir is the new Trios II which actually does a good job of giving out a beam that throws well for such a small light...while providing a decent amount of spill. The reflector is well centered....but Greg at Brightguy warned me thier would be a "flaw" in the reflector. It Does Not affect the beam...but you can see here where it is not flush with the lens all the way around.
Had I not been told It was there... I most likely would have not noticed it for days... as it does not affect the beam it does not bother me... but I know that it would some.
The led is one of the new models. I took a picture of it next to the Olight T20's Q5. My lens is a little above center on the Inova..the led is not off center.
One thing I really like about the Inova vs. the G2 is that the 6V is rated to be survive a short immersion in water without allowing water to enter the light. Which I tested
Well, the important question is, "What does its beam look like?" The answer is... Not bad at all. It is WAAAY better than the Trios I lights...and more throw than the all flood T1 model. (2008)
Here is a quick shot on my ceiling.
Here is a shot in my backyard. The target bush is 17 yards away. (f/2.8 1.5" iso 64 wb daylight) Still no tripod...sorry.
So, as you can see...good Trios throw, especially for such a small sized light...but without the Saturn rings... and with decent spill.
Things I like about the light:
I like that the Inforce 6V is very light and feels tough. The beam is obviously not as bright as Surefires E2DL or new L4's "120 lumens"...but we know those lights are really putting out closer to 200 than 120. I have no problem believing that the light is putting out an honest 119 lumens. For the light it is trying to compete with...the G2L...it is much brighter than the G2L's 80 dimming lumens. (I do not know if the P60L dims as much with the new aluminum head...I have not seen a runtime graph after Chevrofreak's with the resin head)
I do like that the 6V does not really get too warm when left on for a decent amount of time.
I like the clip and size of the light. That the head is not bigger than the body. I like that I can put it in a pocket and not have to lock the tailcap completely to off without worrying that the light will come on on its own.
Finally, like that the light is highly water resistant...and I like the beam! Something I was greatly concerned about. I think Inova did a good job with the Trios II. I am very tempted to pick up the 9v as well.
Things I don't like:
The tailcap (at least on day one) feels like someone keeps putting a very light dab of lok-tite on the tailcap each time I put it down and pick it up...like I have to break the lok-tite seal for it to turn freely....I am told this will get better...but it is annoying. I cannot turn the light to constant on with one hand. Maybe it is a trade off of carbon fiber...maybe just Inova....time will tell. (edit: Fixed...see post #12 below)
I wish the lens was a little farther back into the light. If it falls face down into gravel... the little rubber teeth may not stick out far enough to keep the lens from being scratched.
Overall...
I think Inova made a good light. It feels very tough and is light enough to be forgotten about until it is needed. Is it better than the G2L.... Well YES and No. It is brighter and has a regulated output. It can use 17670's and run flat...and the led does not make the light step down in power when it gets hot. It is more water resistant and has a clip...(and in my case the P60L that came in my light was VERY BLUE) this led is white...just one sample...but how many bad color P60L's are out there that we have all seen or heard about.
That is also where the G2L has serious advantages over the 6V. The G2L can work with a Malkoff or any other same sized dropin (high output drop in users should be careful of heat issues) The G2L has a million holster, beam shaper and every other kind of accessory availible. The Inova does not have nearly as many. It does have weapons mounts, holsters and a preasure switch availible though.
So, the Inforce 6V on its own vs. the G2L on its own....it is a easily better light IMHO. But the G2L has enough mod and accessories options that Inova may have a tough sell on its hands to try to convince SF buyers to switch over.
The fact that it has made what I would consider a Good light is a nice step in the right direction. Good job on this one Inova...
Thanks for reading.
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