UV Inova X5 any good?

[nickz]

I am looking for a nice UV light to detect pet urine stains in homes along with another task of detecting UV inks, sprays, powders etc that are used on electronic keypad locking devices to detect attempts at surrepitous entry as part of one of my jobs which is locksmithing.

I am really leaning towards the Inova X5 as I use my surefire C2 for lighting inside door cavities during vehicle lockouts so I cannot buy a drop in for the surefire. That and I have heard mixed reviews of the quality of the most readily available units which are chinese made as far as I know.

A mag drop in for a C/D mag is out of the question as I do not want to tote around a giant light to carry around for minimal use.

The inova fits my size needs and uses batteries I keep a decent stock of at all times for my surefires.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has experience with this actual light. I am also open to other suggestions in a small form factor preferably using the CR123A cells. The other option I have looked at is the terralux ministar2 TLE-5UV 1W drop in for 2aa mini mags. I'd love to hear about this model also but I worry that with it I will have a spot with limited or no spill or a defocused beam with a huge donut hole which would to me make the light much less usefull.

Thanks in advance for any help :tinfoil: !

Nickz

 

[RyanA]

Nailbender has a UV dropin for surefires here on the forums I'll dig up the link for you.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=229637

If it helps I have the x5 I'm not a huge fan. I think a cree 7090 UV performs much better in that NM range.

 

[Viper715]

I agree about the Cree. The Inova is Ok but not perfect. I sent you a PM also.

 

[L.E.D.]

The Arc AAA UV may also fit your needs as it's emitting wavelength is a little lower than the X5's, 395 nm for the X5 versus 375 nm for the Arc, the Arc may cause the materials you mentioned to fluoresce a little better. Having said that, I always see employees at the airport using Inova X5 UV's for checking watermarks and stuff, so it should be fine as well.

 

[Viper715]

I have looked for a ARC AAA UV for three months and No Joy. Do you know where they can be had?

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

I modded a D10 with a UV LED from the Shoppe for someone here on the forums. It's not a cheap way to go ($50+cost of the light) but it did seem to be an interesting mod. I could also mod a D20 or an EX10.

 

[Snow]

I have an Inova X5 UV and I am very happy with it. It is well made in the typical Inova fashion, the anodizing is well done, and it is pretty bright. I don't use it in a professional capacity, but I think it would do well in that role.

 

[Viper715]

Hey TC. I PM'ed nickz telling him about your work.

TC does A++ work. I've been playing with the light but haven't got to use it for any real pupose just fun. I offered it up to nickz if he is interested, so I could fund some new projects. I am terrible about keeping lights. I play with them for a while then off to a new happy home. I'm like a foster home for lights. hehe.

 

[RyanA]

The X5 will not work on many state ID's or floresce some US currency. I think the only reason airport employees are using it is because they are not better informed.

 

[HKJ]

I have tested some UV lights with a Swedish 100Kr note: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2885062&postcount=17

The Inova is not really useful there, but for some other tasks it is better.