Inova X5 has been updated

[Hooked on Fenix]

The Inova X5 has just been updated with brighter l.e.d.s. It came in a cardboard package with plastic only around the front of the light. It was very easy to get out of the packaging. Just pull apart the sides of the cardboard some and slide the plastic covering and the X5 in it out. No more clamshell packaging. The X5 was impressive compared to my "old" one that had a 2008 copyright date on it's packaging. The new X5 seems to my eyes 2.5 times brighter than the old one. Comparing the new one to my other lights as a reference, I'd say it's right at 80 lumens. Color tint seems to be pretty neutral if not slightly warm. There is a little blue in the main beam, but there's more yellow in the corona to make it warmer. I don't know what l.e.d.s it uses, but it is a warmer tint than all of my lights with Nichia GS l.e.d.s. YMMV. Price at Target was $28.79. The price used to range from $30-$35 depending on where you purchased it from. While this is a welcome drop in price, the light didn't come with a holster or a lanyard as previous versions which gave one or the other.

 

[LA OZ]

Inova X5 is a great light. I am still using it to suck out the last drop of juice from my used batteries. However, I am definitely won't upgrade as it has been superseded by single LED lights.

 

[mikekoz]

I saw this about two weeks ago. I may pick one up this weekend. I also noticed it was a lot brighter than the "old" one that was also on the peg. The X5 is one bulletproof light!:thumbsup:

 

[defloyd77]

It's been mentioned before that it's been updated, if there would be any light that would be my first lithium light, this would be it. Do you have like a magnifying glass, aspheric lens or something similar? If you put it in front of the LED's it will project an image of the LED die, if they are rectangular, they're most likely the Nichia GS (they are available in nice tints).

 

[LED_Thrift]

The older X5's were exceptionally excellent at draining used CR123's. I wonder if the newer, brighter LEDs have a higher Vf and if so is the light still able to really drain down batteries.

 

[jhc37013]

Its great to know Inova continues the legacy of the X5, my first love. The one that began it all for me and I still have 5 or 6 of them unopened just for memento.

 

[BigWaffles]

...(they are available in nice tints).

That sounds like a good opening line. "Hey, those are some nice tints".

I think I've been in the desert too long.


C.P.T.

 

[RWT1405]

Keep safe BigWaffles.

 

[Illum]

Color tint seems to be pretty neutral if not slightly warm. There is a little blue in the main beam, but there's more yellow in the corona to make it warmer. I don't know what l.e.d.s it uses, but it is a warmer tint than all of my lights with Nichia GS l.e.d.s.

sounds nichia, but it also sounds cree. Supposedly CREE 5mms have slightly lower vf than Nichias...dunno.

The older X5's were exceptionally excellent at draining used CR123's. I wonder if the newer, brighter LEDs have a higher Vf and if so is the light still able to really drain down batteries.

Or just overdriven.
The first X5s to appear were black with fluted grooves, those drew about 180ma
The Nichia CS X5s with eight flat sides draw approximately 250ma
Has anyone measured the new lights current draw yet?

I suspect Inova's increasing current draw to maximize output, at the expense of LED life:candle:

 

[defloyd77]

Actually the Nichia DS has a low VF, 3.2-3.5 and I'm sure the GS is the same.

 

[rookiedaddy]

Now I'm confuse... :thinking: I was so excited that I sent an email to Inova with reference to this thread, and got a reply saying there have been no updates to X5... :mecry:

Can someone post some comparison beam shot and packaging photos? TIA.

 

[jp2515]

Went to Target today and saw the new X5 on the shelf. Pressed the test button and was impressed. Now I want one! Time to check if Amazon is selling the new version

 

[defloyd77]

Now I'm confuse... :thinking: I was so excited that I sent an email to Inova with reference to this thread, and got a reply saying there have been no updates to X5... :mecry:

Can someone post some comparison beam shot and packaging photos? TIA.

They said the same thing about the X1.

 

[rookiedaddy]

They said the same thing about the X1.

oh... really? thanks. :thumbsup:
so the way to id these new version is by its packaging?

 

[generallobster]

the XO3 apparently puts out 160+ lumens now according to the package. I was trying to find info on what got upgraded if anything and I couldn't find a thing.

 

[Riddick]

This a fine light and I am very interested in what the upgrade is maybe MattK from batteryjunction knows he seems pretty up on these new lights I hope he chimes in on this

 

[lightinsky]

Not buying Inova since they can't even be honest about upgrades. If no upgrade has been done then possibly the X5 you seen may have been brighter than the others because the others have been on the shelf a long time and the batteries got depleted.

 

[defloyd77]

Not buying Inova since they can't even be honest about upgrades. If no upgrade has been done then possibly the X5 you seen may have been brighter than the others because the others have been on the shelf a long time and the batteries got depleted.

I think they just don't know what they are talking about. Being dishonest about updating wouldn't really benefit them any more than being honest.

 

[carrot]

Definitely Nichias from the description. Cree 5mms do not display the bluish hotspot/yellow spill effect. They are a neutral white and have an even color throughout the beam.

 

[Illum]

Definitely Nichias from the description. Cree 5mms do not display the bluish hotspot/yellow spill effect. They are a neutral white and have an even color throughout the beam.

hmm, my impression with R@andom's description speaks otherwise, but you've known these LEDs longer than I