Streamlight Stylus UV?

[american lockpicker]

I just got one of the UV stylues and its rather dim. Is this normal or does it need fresh batteries?

 

[Cosmo7809]

I just got one of the UV stylues and its rather dim. Is this normal or does it need fresh batteries?

Did you not use fresh batteries? If so, that should probably explain it

 

[Ryanrpm]

Those Stylus's are by nature pretty dim. I have the Stylus white led and it gives me about 6 lumens...which IMO is about good for nothing.(except for night vision)

I personally recommend the Sunlite UV lights. Here is a post by HKJ which compares it to a few others.

BTW....what function or use are you planning to use your UV light for?

 

[american lockpicker]

I got a new in the package one and I'm using the batteries that came with it.

I have a white led one and its much brighter than the UV one also I got it for detecting bad currency.

 

[Ryanrpm]

With UV light...you won't see much visible white light..if any.

I'd be sure to try a brand new set of batteries, and if it doesn't cut it for you...there's plenty other upgrades you can choose from in the UV realm.

 

[RyanA]

UV typically appears dimmer as the NM range gets lower. Don't worry about it too much. Although I disagree about the statement on low power lights, The sunlight that RyanRPM suggested looks like a winner. The led will probably last longer and will seem brighter because it's design is capable of handling more power(vs epoxy encased 5mm's). But I can't speak from experience as I don't own one, but it does look very promising, and I've heard good things about other sunlight products.

 

[american lockpicker]

After playing around with it I've noticed it is bright especially in a dark room and shown on something white. Also I've noticed it hurts my eyes when I'm using it for extended periods of time.

 

[Ryanrpm]

Although I disagree about the statement on low power lights...

I knew I'd be getting in some hot water for saying that! Of course...my off hand comment comes from severe lack of experience with low lumen lights.

I am currently in the stage of "brighter is better"...which speaks pretty clearly of my immaturity in the flashlight realm.

I hope others take no offense....and I've edited my comment to say: "IMO"

 

[1 what]

Hi Lockpicker,
If you're new to UV you need to know that UV is very bad for your eyes unless you want to grow cataracts (and believe me you don't). Please don't look into or at any UV lights. The way to check them out is in a dark room with something like a sheet of white paper. If you plan to "play" invest in a pair of UV filter goggles to protect your eyes but they will let you see the "flourescent" colours the uv light elicits from sevsitive surfaces. Have fun (safely).

 

[RyanA]

I knew I'd be getting in some hot water for saying that! Of course...my off hand comment comes from severe lack of experience with low lumen lights.

I am currently in the stage of "brighter is better"...which speaks pretty clearly of my immaturity in the flashlight realm.

I hope others take no offense....and I've edited my comment to say: "IMO"

It's alright, just make sure to let me know if there's ever a pass-around on that sunlight UV.:devil:

 

[american lockpicker]

Hi Lockpicker,
If you're new to UV you need to know that UV is very bad for your eyes unless you want to grow cataracts (and believe me you don't). Please don't look into or at any UV lights. The way to check them out is in a dark room with something like a sheet of white paper. If you plan to "play" invest in a pair of UV filter goggles to protect your eyes but they will let you see the "flourescent" colours the uv light elicits from sevsitive surfaces. Have fun (safely).

Thanks for that I had no idea they were that dangerous. Can you recommend some good googles.

 

[Ryanrpm]

Correct me if I'm wrong....but any type of safety glasses have UV protection. Some even have IR protection...but that is not needed. Being a welder for 13 years...I've looked into this a bit.

For example....I just pulled this up from a quick google search. These basic glasses have 99.9% UV protection. I think that just about any legit safety glasses have UV protection.

 

[Ryanrpm]

I emailed Sunlite asking them if users of their UV led's need to wear UV goggles for safety reasons. Here is their response:

Hi Ryan,

It is not necessary to wear UV goggles for using our current UV LEDs to check leak or cure adhesives.
But we still suggest not to look directly into the UV light.

The optical output power is less than 200mW for our 395nm Slim LED and around 200mW for 365nm Slim LED. In comparison, the white Slim 3W LED has optical output power of around 500mW. The 365nm LED can cure UV adhesives, 395nm LED cannot. 365nm LED looks less bright due to the shorter wavelength.

UV light with wavelength shorter than 280nm can kill bacteria. This type of UV light will do harm.

Thanks,
Fong

 

[1 what]

Hi Ryanrpm.
Thanks for that response from Fong.
At the risk of "blowing my cover" I have a medical degree (plus I'm an EE) and I probably know more about UV and eyes than Fong does.
The way UV damages eyes is that it "cooks" the lens making it opaque. This can be a very slow process with multiple small doses or faster with larger doses. True - some frequences of UV are probably more dangerous than others BUT they are all dangerous to some extent. The effect is additive, very similar to lifetime exposure to nuclear radiation. Ask all the people who develop cataracts from a lifetimes exposure to sunlight. I stand by my earlier statement: If you are going to spend time "playing" with UV light please play it safe.

 

[Ryanrpm]

I appreciate your concern for the eyes...and for recommending the goggles. Can you tell us if my recommendation will suffice? A pair of glasses that have 99.9% UV protection?

And BTW, she said it "will do harm"....I'm assuming to the eyes.

 

[1 what]

It really depends on the glass and the coatings on the glass. Not all glass is "safe" but if it claims a high level of protection it is probably ok. As you noted above it does not have to be expensive to be UV safe.

 

[axd]

be careful with UV radiation for the eyes.

to check if the sunglasses block UV, shine at a sheet through them; if they block UV, the sheet should not light up.