Inova T3

Looking for your thoughts. Am looking hard at this light for hunting and all around use. Wanted a long burn LED light with good spot light throw for searching the woods. I also camp a lot and would like the light to use on night hikes.
Thanks for your thoughts!!!

What kind of run-time are you looking for? As a general-use Inova combo, i suggest the TIROS XO and a Surefire F04 diffuser.

Does it have to be a small light? A 2D Mag with the MAGLED in it will throw like mad while still giving some spill and will run a hair over 32 hours before dropping into a useable moon mode.

Chris

As a general use hunting light, the Inova's aren't bad unless you're trying to navigate. Personally, I use my L5 much more for hikes and searching even though it doesn't run for quite as long. Spend a little extra and find a decent luxV light, or even a reflectored luxIII.

The T3 / X03 are excellent lights with great throw!

If the 2h 23m runtime of the T3 is adequate for you, by all means go for it. Otherwise, you may want to consider the T2 instead, which has nearly 6 hours of runtime (5h 51m). Keep in mind that the T2 and T3 may not be suitable for navigation, but definitely have the "spot light throw" that you mention wanting.

http://flashlightreviews.com/reviews/inova_t.htm

I think it would work fine, I have used my X0 (old version, now X02) and X03 in that role last year in archery, rifle and muzzleloading seasons. I had no trouble with using them at all. Too floody and bright a beam tends to reflect off every branch with leaves and make it more difficult and also be "intrusive" in the woods. A fellow bow hunter will understand what I mean, it is a feeling and knowledge that everything in the woods knows you are there, instead of being part of the woods. I find the X0 (old version) and X03 have just enough spill to be effective.

Actually, I used my new X1 the other morning out checking a hunting area, and it worked very well. It has a floody beam, but is dim enough that you see just close up and do not intrude on the woods at all.

I may use both the X0 (old version) and X1 this year, using the X0 until I get closer to my area and then switch to the small X1 and its dimmer light.

By the way, for anyone who doesn't already know, the TIROS XO/ XO2 is functionally the equivalent of the T2, but without the checkered grip pattern and clickie tailcap, and the XO3 is, again, the equivalent of the T3 but without the checkered grip pattern and clickie tailcap.

I have the T2, T3 and X5T. They are all superb. The T3 would be an excellent "search" light even though it has a shorter run-time than the T2. I'd keep it holstered until I needed it. For night hikes in general I'd rely on a good headlamp first. It keeps two hands free for hiking or camping chores. It also conserves the T3 run-time until you need it.

The T3 is a good light, and I think has pretty decent sidespill. If your looking for that size light, also check out a Streamlight Tasklight 2L as it has better throw, almost the same sidespill and two levels of output.

carrot said:

By the way, for anyone who doesn't already know, the TIROS XO/ XO2 is functionally the equivalent of the T2, but without the checkered grip pattern and clickie tailcap, and the XO3 is, again, the equivalent of the T3 but without the checkered grip pattern and clickie tailcap.

Click to expand...

they are nearly identical...except the regulation and pricing...