Recommend an Inova.....

[Saiga]

I just gots to have me one !! Though i'm a longtime flashlight junky, i'm pretty new to GOOD lights. Since joining here a couple months ago, i've picked up two surefires ( the "cheap" two, G2L & 6PL ) two streamlights,(propolymers) and two fenix lights, plus the new T1 i ordered a few days ago. Yet, i seem unable to shake this irrational hankering for a "tank-like, rock-solid, US made" Inova. As i understand things, they're not the best light out there as far as throw,run-time and overall output goes,but,again, i won't rest till i have one in my stable. I knew you'd understand.
The search function is often a pain in the ***, and i'm just not feeling like screwing with it right now, so i'm hoping some of you out there with too much time on your hands wouldn't mind telling me which model i should get (or not get) and why. Maybe i'll drive into town tomorrow and check them out at target. Anyway,thanks !! :thumbsup:

 

[angelofwar]

If you don't have an "oh crap, mr. gadget, does everything in the world, emergency surival, SOS, my car broke down" strobe light, then go for the Inova 24/7 (WITH accessory pack)...I have three (plus one of the first X-5's)!!! It's not a 5000 lumen, Luxeon powerhouse...but trust-me...as soon as you get to touch and feel one, you'll be wishing you had. Seriously though, they're the neatest and most well rounded, useful light's out there, and with 7 functions, hands down, the most versatile. The high white setting won't let you see the other side of the state, but is enough to navigate your way through a dark bldg., while the low white is a good reading light. Get one, and then, you'll have an Inova in your collection

http://www.inovalight.com/247.html

Check some of the other flashlight/outdoors websites for the OD model, or there's even an IR model (very hard to find).

 

[shroomy]

I'd recommend waiting a couple months before getting an Inova, since that's when the new and improved Inova's come out.

 

[planty8]

I agree about the 24/7. I got mine on sale with the accessory pack for £20 about six months ago and i find it very useful. I would recommend one.

 

[PhantomPhoton]

New upgraded Inovas woll hopefully be announced in ~3 months. If you have to get one NOW then I must ask for what purpose?
One of my best don't wake everyone up lights is my Inova X1 v1. It is difficult to find them nowadays but you could put a feeler out on the Marketplace Flashlight BST.

 

[Delij]

I'd recommend waiting a couple months before getting an Inova, since that's when the new and improved Inova's come out.

I hope you are right. It would be nice to have some more powerful and efficient LEDs in the Inova line-up. And maybe some changeable levels.

Having said that...I presently own both a gen 2 and gen 3 X1 - both get used, and serve their purposes.

I have a newer X5 which is a work of art, and also serves it's purpose.

And I have the newest X03, which while may still use old technology is nonetheless one of my most powerful lights. It does not have the throw of my modified 3D mag with LED, and it doesn't have the hot-spot of my Q5 Fenix (PD1) at 50 yards...but it will illuminate a large tree at 50 yards, where the Fenix will not. It seems under-rated on CFP...it reallly is a strong light. It seems brighter than my Xenon Brinkman Maxfire 2x123 and my moded 3x123 Rayovac or Eveready, or whatever it was - I gave it to my son....the one we've all seen the video of how to make a (supposedly) $90 light out of a $5 light (can't find the link - the yellow light bored out to take 3 123s with a xenon bulb from Radio Shack - and the guy even spray paints it black at the end of the video).

Every one of the Inovas makes any other light I own feel like a toy (I do not own any Surefires).

Peace,
D.

 

[Saiga]

many thanks,fellers, lots of good info. to answer PhantomPhotons question, "...for what purpose?" none,really, other than i think they're cool lights for not a huge chunk O' change, i just want one.
and Angleofwar read me right, i definately don't want "an "oh crap, mr. gadget, does everything in the world, emergency surival, SOS, my car broke down" strobe light," just another cool toy that i don't really need. see, i knew you'd understand !!

 

[GreySave]

The X5 is a classsic. Small footprint, wide floody beam, and runtime runtime runtime. Note that this is a short range light and its beam is a touch blue. But if you have a need for that wide flood with runtime, it's one to consider.

 

[Saiga]

thanks, i was just about to ask about the X5 (and X1), do these also have the HAIII coating ? it doesn't actually say so on any stat-sheet i've looked at.

 

[Delij]

thanks, i was just about to ask about the X5 (and X1), do these also have the HAIII coating ? it doesn't actually say so on any stat-sheet i've looked at.

Yes, they do have the HAIII coating....with a nice bit of texture. Not sure if it's just thicker or if they add something to the process, but my Fenix lights are glass smooth while the Inovas are almost rubbery feeling (not the right word, but I'm not sure how to describe it better...just NOT "slick" or slippery).

The run-time on the X5 was mentioned. I haven't tested the gen. 3 X-1, but I put an alkaline battery that would no longer light up a single AA River Rock and it ran the X-1 for another 70 hours or so until it started to flicker. I then measured the battery and it was at .8 volts.

I am still on my original set of 123 batteries in my XO3, so I don't know how long they would last...I seldom need that much light for more than a few minutes. I've had the light for about 6 months....I do "play" with it pretty much every day.

Peace,
D.

 

[Raven]

I'd recommend waiting a couple months before getting an Inova, since that's when the new and improved Inova's come out.

I don't read CPF as often as I once did. Are there any threads on this? Inova is my favorite flashlight brand, and I'll probably hold off on my once a year upgrade if they've got something new in the works.

 

[angelofwar]

many thanks,fellers, lots of good info. to answer PhantomPhotons question, "...for what purpose?" none,really, other than i think they're cool lights for not a huge chunk O' change, i just want one.
and Angleofwar read me right, i definately don't want "an "oh crap, mr. gadget, does everything in the world, emergency surival, SOS, my car broke down" strobe light," just another cool toy that i don't really need. see, i knew you'd understand !!

I read ya right...do you think I need three? No...but they are that cool!!!

 

[KeyGrip]

Get the X5. It should be standard issue to anybody who uses 3v lithium primaries in their main lights. Even if Inova updates their lights with new emitters they still won't make a light to replace the X5 and it's ability to run on dead batteries. Owning and using an X5 let's you use cells twice. I use mine very frequently, and I've never put fresh cells in it.

 

[techwg]

the best inova i ever bought was a X0 original tiros version. However i would not at this time recomend them unless you want bombproofed construction. other than that i prefer fenix and gave my X5 and X0 away to friends.

 

[DaveG]

If I had to have only one Inova,it would be the X5.

 

[techwg]

I was very depressed about the X5, such slight light output, the only good thing was you could drive on it..

 

[livewrongprojects]

i would say inova bolt 3a or 2a. not a powerhouse that most is looking for but it fits my purpose (hiking/ camping that is) works well on the campsite or on the trail. wellbuilt plus it runs on regular AAA (bolt 3A) AA (bolt 2A) which is available almost every where. my edc is the bolt 3A

 

[zven]

I was in a similar position a little while back. Was looking around at the lights that I NEEDED to add to my collection, and Inova somehow found itself at the top of the list. Wasn't long before I ordered up two of them.

From the reviews, I couldn't help but get the T1, as its tint was widely agreed to be the most like an incandescent of just about any LED out there. And it's true: it's very warm, definitely yellow, which at times is a very nice difference from other LED's out there. Plus, the T1 has that great compact, tube form factor, and is built every bit as tough as my SureFires. I will say, though, the T1 is functionally virtually identical to the G2L/6PL (slightly wider hotspot with a little less throw, but otherwise the same beam profile); just in case that makes a difference to you. Oh, and make sure you get the 2008 version, if you opt for the T1.

And second, I got the X5. Well, not THE X5, really. Got mine in the bare metal finish (titanium? I don't recall...), with GREEN LED's. Got it completely and totally for gadget factor. At that it excels, and it's a work of art. I highly recommend it.

 

[radu1976]

If it's about INOVA recommendation, I would advise you to get an old TIROS model with optics - XO3 or T3 - whose beam is beautiful, narrow, despite it doesn't have the flood of the recent generations, so it might not be very useful if you don't use it with a 'tactical purpose'
There are still sellers who sell the old series.