Inova X1 - What Version Is Mine?

[LightGrunt0311]

Howdy,

I just picked up an Inova X1 from crappy Fry's with a 5mm LED in the middle (not the one with a square thing in the middle). What version is mine? What's the approx. runtime on my version? Is this version any good?

Thanks.

Semper Fi

 

[jzmtl]

Is the beam profile a small spot or like a regular flashlight?

 

[Marduke]

You have the Gen 2, with Nichia CS LED and ~10 hour runtime. It's generally preferred over the 2.0watt Gen 3 with horrible runtime and blinking nature.

 

[LightGrunt0311]

Is the beam profile a small spot or like a regular flashlight?

It looks like a regular flashlight to me. When you look at the end of the light, you can clearly see an LED (looks like a bulb). It doesn't look like the "tiros" system.

 

[Illum]

It looks like a regular flashlight to me. When you look at the end of the light, you can clearly see an LED (looks like a bulb). It doesn't look like the "tiros" system.

there are no TIROS in the X1, gen I was a convex optic of some sort similar to riverrock's Jupiter LED lights [this and this] that puts out a spotlight with absolutely no spill

if it looks like this its a gen II


Gen II vs. Gen I



Gen III Inova X1 looks like this
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2001953&postcount=12

 

[THE PUNISHER]

I am a fan of gen 1 i have 3,and 2 gen II,whatz the run time and and info thanx........

 

[jdong]

Gen III has around a 2-3 hr runtime on alkalines before you start noticing the light decay, and then a pretty long moon mode that can last another 5 hours. Between the moon and full, there is a 15-minute flickering period which gets annoying.

Gen II I've heard is around 10 hours? Either way, very impressive runtime but not as bright.

 

[BlackDecker]

10 hours from a Gen II X1 is about what I'm getting from mine. A very useful, floody beam, too. Great light for backpacking trips... light and long burntime.

 

[LightGrunt0311]

I just got the X1 Gen. III for my pops (he's an engineer) and he seems to like it.

I perfer the Gen. II because of the long runtime. It's a great emergency light IMO.

I also got my GF the Gen. II and she likes it so far. She says the SL Pro 4AA Lux is too heavy for her purse, lol~! Same goes for the Maglite 2AA w/3LED Drop-in. :-(

 

[KeyGrip]

What is the switch type on the Gen II? Is it a twisty like the X5?

 

[jdong]

All the X-series use momentary-on pushy-twisties. IMO the X1 one is not as reliable/firm as the X5/XO/XO3 ones.

If you are considering purchasing an X1 3rd gen, IMO there's lights out there that cost just a few bucks more that provide better runtime, brightness, or functionality.

 

[KeyGrip]

Thanks. And no, I'm not thinking about getting an X1 any time soon, I am just curious in case they update it with the same treatment they've given the T series. An X1 with a forward clicky and a K2 TFFC, 45-60 lumens, and good regulation would be awesome.

 

[jdong]

I simply don't see inova putting a serious emitter in the X1 anytime soon. The T1 is probably as close as you'll get

 

[Monocrom]

When I heard how huge the drop was in runtime when the Gen. III model was introduced, I made a special trip to Target to pick up one of the last Gen. II models they still had on the rack. I like Inova, but they went backwards with the Gen. III version.

 

[jdong]

When I heard how huge the drop was in runtime when the Gen. III model was introduced, I made a special trip to Target to pick up one of the last Gen. II models they still had on the rack. I like Inova, but they went backwards with the Gen. III version.

I don't entirely think so -- the brightness of the Gen III units is significantly improved and it still is one of the floodiest 1AA lights I own, and the warm tint is great for working at stuff at close range, particularly inside a computer case where little shiny surfaces could cause SSC/Cree's to blind you even on low.

 

[Stainz]

I had a 3rd gen X1 from last summer - loved it. Added a dimmer black 2nd gen in Jan (Target - old stock!) - and another 3rd gen Friday - closeout $14. I did this because my original 3rd gen had mysteriously lost it's greater brightness - yet retained it's high, and varying, current draw. I was prepared to send that original one back to Inova - even have a RMA for same. I elected to compare the newest and oldest - opened a fresh pack of alkaline Rayovac AAs... oops! They were equivalent! I tested my open pack - 1.35-1.38V - the fresh pack was 1.60-1.61V. The open pack were 'pullouts' from a roboT! Check your batteries - the newest X1 seems to lose regulation below 1.35V - perhaps the pulsing some have noted. I haven't tried them on NiMH yet - maybe not a great idea. Lithiums, at 1.75V, may not be the answer, either... but lifespan would likely be ~6 hr at full brightness.

I guess, despite it's AA appetite, I prefer the current version - a steal at 'closeout' price... and a decent buy at it's regular $20 - especially for a well-made, and made in the USA, flashlite for the pocket or purse.

John

 

[Monocrom]

I don't entirely think so -- the brightness of the Gen III units is significantly improved and it still is one of the floodiest 1AA lights I own, and the warm tint is great for working at stuff at close range, particularly inside a computer case where little shiny surfaces could cause SSC/Cree's to blind you even on low.

The long runtime combined with decent output is what the X1 was known for. Yup, output went up; at the expense of runtime.... a lot of runtime.

Floodiest 1AA I've seen is the River Rock 1watt 1AA model. Comes with a nice pocket clip. Ironically, also available at Target.