Inova Microlight

f22shift · Apr 8, 2009

hmm, i'm not sure if i'm going to get hammered. i did a search. there seemed to be some negative experiences with them.

i bought it at target for 6 something. i noticed they had an older one that didn't have a translucent switch cover and the new ones that did.
i wonder if they addressed some of the issues(turning on by themselves etc). copyright on packaging says 2007.

so far i like it. the beam is bright. seems purple with a yellow corona. a fauxton by comparison is duller and blue*. i'm not sure what led it is.

the ui,
-1 click for high, 2 for low, 3 for strobe(more like a fast flash)
-leave it on for 2 sec and the next click is off
-while in strobe you hold for 5 sec to enter the signal mode(which is just a regular press to go on momentarily)
-hold for 15 sec in signal mode to return back to normal(light will switch off)

features
-4min autoshutoff for the high. low and strobe will go on forever.
-clip is stainless steel and easy to use.
-no screws to access the batteries(2x2016). it says to use a pointy object.

comments
-low is definitely by pwm. it's noticeable by looking
-i really like the looks. hope it lasts awhile
-they had white and blue there

i mated it with a stainless steel ball chain for neck carry. i really want some titanium aaa jewelry

so i want to make sure i can carry something on my neck without losing it.

pics for size comparison. *i can't be totally accurate with brightness comparison because i'm not sure the voltage remaining the fauxton but i guess it better than nothing. at least for tint comparison*

Marduke · Apr 8, 2009

For $4 more, I think the Photon Freedom is a MUCH better light. Smaller, better UI, and won't accidentally activate from static in your pocket.

Big_Ed · Apr 8, 2009

I have an Inova Microlight, and the only issue I have with it is the LED is a little bit loose, and sometimes needs to be pushed back into the body just a bit in order to get it to work. I seem to remember reading this was a common problem. I really like the UI, though.

I also have several Photon Freedoms. Good lights, but the only problem I have is they get accidentally turned on in my pocket, either by keys, coins or whatever. I end up pulling my keyring out of my pocket and see the Photon Freedom dimly glowing. Who knows how long it's been uselessly lighting up the inside of my pocket! It ends up happening every week or two. I'm getting tired of replacing batteries so often, so I'm considering going back to the Photon II.

GPB · Apr 8, 2009

I have had a few of these lights and I love them. For $6 at Target it's about the same price to replace the light as it is to replace the batteries. My last one did turn on by itself quite a bit...perhaps it was static as a previous poster mentioned....anyway, when the batteries ran down, I replaced it and this one doesn't have that problem, nor did the 2 prior to the last one. If you look at Inova's website it looks like they have changed the switch mechanism so that may have been a widespread problem.

Ninjaz7 · Apr 8, 2009

Thats the only complaint I have about it ...needs accidental engage switch.I have a really old one that has a slide switch,I thought it helped.

chmsam · Apr 9, 2009

Bought two years ago and gave 'em away. Hated them. Just had a lousy feel to them and the clip was a PITA. Did those have an auto shutoff? I can't remember, but that would be reason number 3 for me to dump 'em.

kramer5150 · Apr 9, 2009

Sounds like a complete redesign from the one I got. Mine was nothing mor than an LED direct driven off some coin cells. purple tint, horrid switch mechanics, poorly designed key ring attachment that rigidly fixed the light perpendicular to my keys so it would not lie flat. The worst $6 I ever spent... on just about anything. The MM solitaire that this thing replaced was way better.

chmsam · Apr 9, 2009

Nope. Looked at the Inova web site -- same ones I got rid of years ago. Most Inova stuff I've seen is OK I guess but those things drag the whole product line down for me. Those clips are the pits.

Photons cost more but are well worth it to me -- never yet had one let me down or turn itself on. Much better design.

d1337 · Apr 9, 2009

The photon freedom can be put in momentary mode by turning it on and off 5 times quickly. This helps to avoid it coming/ staying on while in your pocket. You can also set it to shut off automatically after 3 minutes.

f22shift · Apr 9, 2009

d1337 said:
The photon freedom can be put in momentary mode by turning it on and off 5 times quickly. This helps to avoid it coming/ staying on while in your pocket. You can also set it to shut off automatically after 3 minutes.

hmm that's a good idea to apply to the inova too. just leave it in signal mode unless you are in a situation that needs the constant on.
should prevent accidental on.

i can understand about the clip. not too keychain friendly. on the neck, it's perfect. easy to remove and never twists.
i suppose you can just remove th stock click and put on an small keyring for keychain use.

IceRat · Apr 9, 2009

I had one and it kept turning on in my pocket and it drained the battery.

I LIKE the clip though, I use the clip for my E01. It goes on and off my keys easily and never falls off. I was using a Nite-eyes S clip and it kept uncliping.

Light Sabre · Apr 9, 2009

I have an Inove Microlight. Put it in a clear plastic parts bin because it kept coming on in my pocket and running the batteries down. One day I was looking in the parts bin for somthing, turning it this way and that trying to find what I was looking for and the Inova Microlight came on by itself just from the static generated by the parts bin.

Phaserburn · Apr 10, 2009

I like the Inova Micros. I've never had any pop on by themselves. I think the features are really nice. The Freedom is great too.

Little know Micro fact: the led is seated in a socket; it is easily pulled out when the light is opened, and you can replace the led with another in seconds. This is a great way to make your own models. I've used UV leds, other colors, new nichias, color changing ones (blink red, then green or blue then green), and wide angle ones. It's fun.

kramer5150 · Apr 10, 2009

IceRat said:
I had one and it kept turning on in my pocket and it drained the battery.

I LIKE the clip though, I use the clip for my E01. It goes on and off my keys easily and never falls off. I was using a Nite-eyes S clip and it kept uncliping.

:thinking:
Are you sure you are talking about the same light? How did you get this.... to fit on an E01? its a ~3.5mm thick piece of metal bent around in a hoop.

greenLED · Apr 10, 2009

Marduke said:
For $4 more, I think the Photon Freedom is a MUCH better light. Smaller, better UI, and won't accidentally activate from static in your pocket.

The Microlight is one of my least favorite coin-celled lights.

Spence · Apr 10, 2009

Can you avoid the accidental discharge with it by switching to the momentary on mode? I'm talking about the Inova Microlite.

IceRat · Apr 10, 2009

Here is how I use it...

kramer5150 · Apr 11, 2009

IceRat said:
Here is how I use it...

f22shift · Apr 12, 2009

Spence said:
Can you avoid the accidental discharge with it by switching to the momentary on mode? I'm talking about the Inova Microlite.

i think so. so far so good.
i'm not sure if anyone had an accidental on by neck wearing though.

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