uv light/ flashlight for crime prevention

[usdiver]

Hi all, I am writing to ask if anyone knows if it is possible to build a surefire uv light? I am interested in building a uv flashlight for the use of theft detection/ prevention as I do security and have read little about these uv marker pens, and the (smartwater???), but I'm the only one here serious about putting it to use and therefor the expense will rest on me to get it started or seriously considered. Items being monitored or marked include everything from a pack of gum to bottled drinks, food, health products. Can anyone suggest how to go about getting one of these uv detection lights set up (preferrably surefire body with uv led head)? Something like maybe a 6p with good runtime or how about the m1 infrared? can this be converted? I know nothing about uv light sources or ranges, or where to look for parts...as well as where to get the markers or ink. Any advice on this would be very much appreciated. I just get really frustrated to do this job and see things being carried out and no way to prove they stolen. UV marking I think would work really well, because it's not something that just could be worked around. or that is my thought. Thanks

 

[Blackbeagle]

Lots of sources. I know that Sanford - maker of the Sharpie line - makes a UV pen called the Security Marker. Their P/N 12100. Clear until under UV then it glows a yellow color. For the UV, since your need is less forensic, what about the Streamlight UV Stylus or UV TT3C? Way cheaper than any SF. Good enough for this purpose (you don't really need lower nm UV lights for this type of purpose.) Tons of run-time - especially with the TT3C. Brightguy has them in stock.

 

[usdiver]

Thanks for the info...I'll have to say I'm partial to surefire, but then like you say, this isn't forensics, and I'm not looking for prints and things. I'll look into this, but always open to suggestions. what is the tt3c?

 

[Reptilezs]

a tt3c is a streamlight twintask 3c

 

[usdiver]

I've had a look at brightguy's website and have to say I like the streamlight better...but do you need any particular wavelength?

 

[xpitxbullx]

For security markings, anything 400nm or less will work. Brightguy's best UV light is probably the Inova 5XT UV.

Jeff

 

[xenopus]

If you want white AND UV in one product, although it's in a M*g body, you could try out Automotive Edition -- 3C body, enough thow to sweep a room for markings form the door under 390nm UV. UV pens can be grabbed from www.UVtools.com (in TX) or www.RiskReactor.com (in CA).

Good hunting!
Piers

 

[usdiver]

Really apprciate the feedback on where to get them at. As far as size goes the Inova 5xt sounds good. the 3c size is a bit big...so needs to be small enough to go in a pocket but bright enough and with enough through so that you don't have to hold it right up to the item in question. Does the 5xt have a good range..? I do realize it won't be quite like a standard led or incandescent due to the uv light itself....but the better the range the more useful the light. don't really understand all about uv, but the subject is one I'd like to learn about.

 

[xpitxbullx]

The Inova 5XT UV has good range. Another light to consider is the NightCutter 5CSI. It's a 375nm UV light. My favorite pocketable UV light.

If I didn't already have a bunch of UV lights I would probably own one of the setups that xenopus offers. They aren't pocketable but they appear to be extremely effective. I've been eyeballing that 365nm-R. Perhaps one day...

Jeff

 

[xenopus]

[ QUOTE ]
xpitxbullx said:
...
If I didn't already have a bunch of UV lights I would probably own one of the setups that xenopus offers. They aren't pocketable but they appear to be extremely effective. I've been eyeballing that 365nm-R. Perhaps one day...

Jeff

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, that XeLED-33UV-365-R is pretty expensive (!), but does now come with a quartz lens that has better than 95% transmission at 365nm. We're working on a 39-LED version right now actually...
Piers!

 

[xpitxbullx]

[ QUOTE ]
xenopus said:

Yeah, that XeLED-33UV-365-R is pretty expensive (!), but does now come with a quartz lens that has better than 95% transmission at 365nm. We're working on a 39-LED version right now actually...
Piers!

[/ QUOTE ]

I feel my wallet twitching as I read this. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/broke.gif

Jeff