Inova XS - 2 mode AAA LED Flashlight

[LightWalker]

Inova has a 2 mode AAA LED Flashlight out, the specifications are below.

The Inova XS measures in at only 3.8" in length and is powered by a single AAA battery. With 2 brightness levels and 53 lumens in high, the Inova XS gives you more than enough light for most tasks. Also the low output mode with 6 lumens give you enough light to navigate in the dark. The Inova XS is the perfect size and brightness to carry in a pocket or purse.

Features of Inova XS LED Flashlight:
• 2 brightness levels
High - 53 lumens, runs for 1.3 hours, beam distance of 58m (190 ft)
Low - 6 lumens, runs for 26 hours
• includes stainless S-Biner lanyard attachment system
• water resistant construction (IPX4 rated)
• tactical end cap switch (easy to operate)
push for momentary on high, release and press again for low
twist for constant on high
for low, twist on-->off-->on
• powered by a single AAA alkaline battery (included)
• precision machined aluminum body with high grade anodized finish
• stainless steel head
• measures 3.8" long x 0.6" diameter
• weighs 1 oz with battery
• includes XS LED flashlight with S-Biner lanyard attachment system and battery
• engineered and designed in the USA, made in China
• limited lifetime warranty through Nite Ize

Battery

AAA


Dimensions

3.8"L


Lamp Type

LED


Light Output

53-6 lumens


Weight w/ Batteries

1 oz


Run Time

1.3-26 hrs


Focus Type

Fixed


On/Off

Combo, Tail-Cap and Twist


Material

Anodized aluminum


Origin

made in China


Warranty

limited lifetime warranty through Nite Ize

Do not link directly to sales sites - Norm

Looks like a nice light for $20.

 

[ZMZ67]

I think the 3.8" length is a misprint,there is an article claiming it is just under 3".Wish they would have done a comparison photo next to the X1 for size reference.It does look like a winner at the $20 price point if it is as well made as the X1.Too bad that Target has discontinued selling INOVA at its B&M stores,we will have to wait for someone to order one.I don't buy INOVAs very often these days but this one might be of interest especially as a gift for non-flashoholics.

 

[LightWalker]

Why did Target stop selling Inova's? I went to Target a couple weeks ago and the flashlight section looked very sad. I have an Inova X5 that I bought from a friend for $5, I think he found it and he don't do CR123's. They feel pretty well made.

 

[ZMZ67]

There are probably a number of factors why Target dropped INOVA from it's B&M stores but it is most likely based on sales.There were old 1st generation INOVAs on the pegs at the one I normally frequent until the very end.On the topic of the XS I am hoping someone will chime in soon but INOVAs are not that popular on the board here as some other lights.As far as performance(going by the advertised specs) the XS isn't doing anything remarkable.The X1 uses a CREE XP-C so my guess is that the XS will have a similar low cost LED but there are not many lights with the same build quality as the X1 at $20 and I expect the quality os the XS to be about the same so I am anxious to hear some feedback.

 

[jhc37013]

I think the 3.8" length is a misprint,there is an article claiming it is just under 3".Wish they would have done a comparison photo next to the X1 for size reference.It does look like a winner at the $20 price point if it is as well made as the X1.Too bad that Target has discontinued selling INOVA at its B&M stores,we will have to wait for someone to order one.I don't buy INOVAs very often these days but this one might be of interest especially as a gift for non-flashoholics.

Where is the article? I'm with ya I don't buy them much either, I use to buy just about every model they always felt bomb proof and I loved the "T" series but it's been awhile so I wouldn't mind having a useful Inova again.

 

[ZMZ67]

The article was on the Flashlight News site.It was a press release on the XS and didn't really have much information but did mention the size being just under 3".

 

[LightWalker]

From the pics I've seen I think just under 3" is correct. The Inova X series does have a bomb proof feel, how good is the IPX4 water resistance?

 

[shelm]

The Inova X series does have a bomb proof

1m impact resistance

Sent from my Iphone using Tapatalk

 

[LightWalker]

The Fenix TK15 is only rated at 1.5m impact resistance and I know it can take a beating.

 

[DaveTheDude]

OK, I broke down and bought one of these from BrightGuy, a well-known merchant in these quarters. I ordered the light online after 5:00 p.m. Monday, 4.16.2012; it arrived by Priority Mail Wednesday morning, at precisely 10:05 a.m. (Kudos to Greg, Tina, and Mike at BrightGuy for uber fast shipping.)

SIZE & CONSTRUCTION. The Inova XS is shaped just like the X1, except smaller. I know that sounds trite, but anyone who likes the shape and "hand feel" of the X1 will also appreciate its little brother. The body of the light is 2-7/8 inches long x 9/16 inches wide (73mm x 15mm). This is marginally larger than the Fenix E05 (65mm x 14mm). The fit and finish on the light are flawless. It has the same indestructible feel as the X1, for good reason. It is among the best-built of the AAA format lights I own (I now have nine different brands of AAA lights).

BEAM TINT & INTENSITY. The beam tint is creamy white, about 5500K. There are no off-color tints whatsoever, and no artifacts in the beam, even when placed within inches of a white wall. The MOP reflector produces a nice hotspot, which gently transitions into a less intense corona and spillbeam. The beam shape takes full advantage of both foveal and peripheral vision. It beautifully illuminates what you're looking at, even as the reflector's shape diverts a few spare photons to the spill beam. (The engineers at Inova really got the intensity curve right when designing this little light.)

The low setting is advertised as 6 lumens. I compared the "low setting" output to other AAA lights, and found that the "hotspot" to be very useful for close-in work, more so than its 6 lumen rating might suggest. The low setting is rated by the manufacturer as having a run time of 26 hours. Even allowing for a bit of puffing, that still provides a good cushion in case of a real emergency. The beam shape does not change when switching to the "high" setting (53 lumens), although as you might expect, the beam intensity does. (I can't emphasize enough how useful this light's beam pattern appears to be.)

POWER. I saw no discernible difference in intensity in light output between 1.2v and 1.5v cells. I'm aware that many other AAA lights support 10440 cells, but Ive never known Inova's AA lights to support li-ion, and decline to be the guinea pig for that experiment with the AAA model. (I will however happily read about another member's experiences with 10440 cells, if somebody wants to perform the experiment with this light.)

SUBJECTIVE JUDGMENT. The light appears to be a winner. The fit and finish are flawless. It feels good in the hand, and I suspect it will be particularly appealing as a stocking stuffer. It sells for about US$20, exclusive of shipping. Based on the reaction of several women in my office (who cooed over the light like it was a fuzzy kitten), the women and girls in your lives will love this light, and won't feel at all geeky about carrying it. It offers a slim shape, light weight, a solid build, and an elegant design, with cleaner lines than just about any other AAA light I've seen at this reasonable a price point.

BOTTOM LINE. Go ahead, get one. (You know you want to.)

You also might give some thought to getting two, because once your wife / girlfriend / significant other sees it and plays with it for a minute, they are going to want one. Just a thought...

 

[parnass]

Thanks for posting your comments. I have had all the (white) X1 versions from the TIROS through the current 2-mode version and have been curious about the new AAA Inova XS since it was announced.

 

[LightWalker]

Thanks for the feedback DaveTheDude, I really want one of these now. 🙂

 

[shelm]

i dont understand the UI.

 

[greenlight]

limited lifetime warranty through Nite Ize

What is this supposed to mean?

 

[ZMZ67]

OK, I broke down and bought one of these from BrightGuy, a well-known merchant in these quarters. I ordered the light online after 5:00 p.m. Monday, 4.16.2012; it arrived by Priority Mail Wednesday morning, at precisely 10:05 a.m. (Kudos to Greg, Tina, and Mike at BrightGuy for uber fast shipping.)

SIZE & CONSTRUCTION. The Inova XS is shaped just like the X1, except smaller. I know that sounds trite, but anyone who likes the shape and "hand feel" of the X1 will also appreciate its little brother. The body of the light is 2-7/8 inches long x 9/16 inches wide (73mm x 15mm). This is marginally larger than the Fenix E05 (65mm x 14mm). The fit and finish on the light are flawless. It has the same indestructible feel as the X1, for good reason. It is among the best-built of the AAA format lights I own (I now have nine different brands of AAA lights).

BEAM TINT & INTENSITY. The beam tint is creamy white, about 5500K. There are no off-color tints whatsoever, and no artifacts in the beam, even when placed within inches of a white wall. The MOP reflector produces a nice hotspot, which gently transitions into a less intense corona and spillbeam. The beam shape takes full advantage of both foveal and peripheral vision. It beautifully illuminates what you're looking at, even as the reflector's shape diverts a few spare photons to the spill beam. (The engineers at Inova really got the intensity curve right when designing this little light.)

The low setting is advertised as 6 lumens. I compared the "low setting" output to other AAA lights, and found that the "hotspot" to be very useful for close-in work, more so than its 6 lumen rating might suggest. The low setting is rated by the manufacturer as having a run time of 26 hours. Even allowing for a bit of puffing, that still provides a good cushion in case of a real emergency. The beam shape does not change when switching to the "high" setting (53 lumens), although as you might expect, the beam intensity does. (I can't emphasize enough how useful this light's beam pattern appears to be.)

POWER. I saw no discernible difference in intensity in light output between 1.2v and 1.5v cells. I'm aware that many other AAA lights support 10440 cells, but Ive never known Inova's AA lights to support li-ion, and decline to be the guinea pig for that experiment with the AAA model. (I will however happily read about another member's experiences with 10440 cells, if somebody wants to perform the experiment with this light.)

SUBJECTIVE JUDGMENT. The light appears to be a winner. The fit and finish are flawless. It feels good in the hand, and I suspect it will be particularly appealing as a stocking stuffer. It sells for about US$20, exclusive of shipping. Based on the reaction of several women in my office (who cooed over the light like it was a fuzzy kitten), the women and girls in your lives will love this light, and won't feel at all geeky about carrying it. It offers a slim shape, light weight, a solid build, and an elegant design, with cleaner lines than just about any other AAA light I've seen at this reasonable a price point.

BOTTOM LINE. Go ahead, get one. (You know you want to.)

You also might give some thought to getting two, because once your wife / girlfriend / significant other sees it and plays with it for a minute, they are going to want one. Just a thought...

Thanks for the info this light is on my "want" list now and yes I think my wife would like this one too.Any idea of what LED the light uses?

 

[Flashlight Dave]

Mine just came in the mail today. I would say that its output is a little less than the X1 that I have but the PWM is much faster. I would guess the lumen output to be around 35 to 40. Seems just a little brighter than my microstream with C4 (XP-E) but less than the X1.

 

[ZMZ67]

Mine just came in the mail today. I would say that its output is a little less than the X1 that I have but the PWM is much faster. I would guess the lumen output to be around 35 to 40. Seems just a little brighter than my microstream with C4 (XP-E) but less than the X1.

Probably a good chance that it is an XP-C like the X1. Eventually I want to get one but my light budget is a little short right now.

 

[Changchung]

Mine just came in the mail today. I would say that its output is a little less than the X1 that I have but the PWM is much faster. I would guess the lumen output to be around 35 to 40. Seems just a little brighter than my microstream with C4 (XP-E) but less than the X1.

What Led use the XS?


SFMI4UT

 

[Hondo]

i dont understand the UI.

Comes on in high. Cycle off-on to switch to low. Should cycle back and forth as much as you like.

The switch is the common twisty with momentary press for on, tighten for constant on.

 

[The Shadow]

• limited lifetime warranty through Nite Ize

What is this supposed to mean?

It means don't count on the warranty. We discussed it at length here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?273825-Inova-Nite-Ize-No-Warranty

If I do end up buying one, I'll do so with the understanding that it may not be covered. Then I'll have no reason to complain as I knew this beforehand. Unlike those who purchased under the original "Lifetime Warranties" and got screwed when Nite-Ize changed their minds on what "lifetime" meant.