Inova Vs. Photon!!!

[tkl]

the battle of the micro lights!

the inova uses 2 lithium cells and the photon uses 1.

the inova looks a litle bigger but the hole for a keychain/lanyard is squared off and doesn't look like it would fit on a key ring. or rather not hang freely. the keyring hole in my photon is barely big enough to fit on my split ring but sometimes gets hung up and doesn't hang freely.

i hear the newer inovas have a constant on feature like the photon II.

 

[PocketLights.com]

Both the Inova Microlight and the Tanslucent Inova Microlight have both a squeeze switch and constant on/off switch like the Photon II. The Inova Microlight is a little bigger than the Photon. It has a recessed LED to protect the LED unlike the Photon I/II/III which is fully exposed. The Photon Microlights and the Inova Microlights are both excellent keychain lights.

 

[ikendu]

Originally posted by tkl:
the inova uses 2 lithium cells and the photon uses 1.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Actually, the Red or Amber Photon uses one 2032 cell but all of the other colors use two 2016s as far as I know.

I have the Red...and it's not very bright (although excellent for finding a keyhole at night or reading a theater program), but has a rated life of 120 hrs (vs. 10 or 12 of the dual cell models).

 

[ikendu]

Just got my first Photon III!

Getting the modes to work is a little "fiddle-ly" but I really like leaving it in "dim" mode and then pressing the "full brightness" button when you need that shot of brightness for something.

This thread "Inova Vs. Photon" never got very active. I really like the simplicity of the Photon II but I wanted easier to change batteries. I'm thinking of giving Photon IIs or Inova microlights for Christmas presents and need to decide which.

So...all of you Inova microlight users:

How do you like'em?
Are the batteries easy to change?
Is the light durable? How about the switch?
If you own both, does the brightness compare?
Other comments?

My Christmas present receivers thank you in advance!

 

[Sigman]

One thing I like about the Photon III is the flashing mode. If one happened to be in a "situation/disaster" and needed to "signal" to be found, having one on the ole' keyring could be a lifesaver!

 

[dano]

I like the Inova the ebst out of all the "micro" lites. I'm on Photon III, number 3. They are not reliable, and either the microchip goes bad, or it eats batteries. I haven't had good luck at all with the Photon III.

--dan

 

[Brotherscrim]

I've got both, but I think I like the Inova better, for its included clip. Sure, that square hole is no good for a split ring, but with the included clip, you can make the microlight stand up on its own, for a better-than-nothing hands free "candle mode."

--Scrimmy

 

[Slick]

I use the INOVA microlights

.. They only cost HALF what a Photon sells for in my area.

 

[carl]

My wife has the Inova and we both like it a lot. It had a problem of coming on momentarily for a few seconds on its own when we first got it. I opened it up and gave the battery contact more of a bend in it so it wouldn't contact by itself and the problem went away. The shroud around the led makes for a fairly focused beam with a nice hot spot. The constant- on switch is much easier to use with the pad of your finger rather than the fingernail which is necessary with the photon. The batteries are easy to replace too though it is not waterproof, but then again, we don't need waterproof.

 

[Hellz]

I recently got two Inova micro lights to give as Christmas presents, a translucent white and a translucent blue, and have to say I was very dissapointed. The blue version was the brightest but still nowhere near what I expected. With the white version it actually seemed to get darker when I turned it on...

nowhere near useable.

Is it possible that I got a couple of lights with dud batteries?

Hellz

 

[Steve Andrews]

Had bad experiences with Inova lights. Had to return one because the switch was completely unreliable. In my opinion they to not compare to Photons.
Now, the Arc AAA - that's a different matter!!

 

[yclo]

Well, if anyone wants I'll trade them my brand new still in package Inova microlights for some photons.. I'll even include some extra cr2016's!

-YC

 

[carbonsparky]

Has any one tried out the the new photon XLight? Check it out.
http://www.theledlight.com/photon-XLight.html
It looks like it may be a nice light for the price.

 

[tkl]

i would stick with the photon II. i don't see where the X is filling a role as the photon is already cheap. nor would i be willing to sacrafice any of the small amount of light i already get.

 

[nitelite]

You may have different requirements but I chose the photon 1 instead of all competitors.

The innova has that huge metal clip that won't hang good on a keychain and the light itself is larger.

The photon has two small rings that will be compact and still hang on a split ring without jamming in your pocket or on other keys.

The photon comes in a "covert" version that not only protects the led but also won't blind you or someone standing next to you. The light only goes where you point it. It is just $0.40 more than the innova for this feature.

The photon 1 is water resistant and you can change the batteries in about 30 seconds without tools.

The photon 1 has gone through several revisions and has proven reliable. It doesn't have a constant on switch or fancy flashers, - I don't need those things - just reliable operation.

Take a look for yourself at how the innova looks on a keychain. Then compare to the Photon, you may only need one of the two rings it comes with.

(Bright Guy) Covert Photon

or

(Bright Guy) Microlight

 

[tkl]

nitelite, does the covert throw a longer/brighter beam of does the protected led just cut out periphial light?

 

[sunspot]

I have both. The covert only blocks periphial light. I like it better for that feature.
I just got some Photon II's and I saw that they have the four small screws on the battery compartment. Yech!!!

 

[tiktok 22]

Hi Guys,

Got a Photon III, it goes with me everywhere. I have never owned an Inova but after using a Photon, it would take one heckavu light to make me change. Other than my Arc AAA LE of course. You gotta have one of these.

 

[Prometheus]

IMHO the photon 3's suck.

finicky switch after short period of usage, goes off in your pocket and drains batteries, had SEVERAL, and all of them crapped out.

very disappointed in this version photon. great concept poor execution.

hopefully later gens will be improved in the switch dept.

 

[tkl]

i have to agree. Photon II is the shiznit. temporary or constant on.