UV light for scorpions

Hello everybody, this is my first post
Soon I will go to South Africa for a trip and I have been suggested by locals to get a UV flashlight to spot out scorpions, that in SA are dangerous for humans.
I would like to buy from Amazon Italy (will leave soon and have no time to wait for Gearbest delivery). If possible I would like to get a small and not too bulky flashlight. I really have no idea on which one I should get…
Some are small, UV only, with AAA batteries like this one
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B076F2JHQY/
Others are 2 in 1 that is both UV and LED flashlight
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B07568DFCH/
Others have 18650 batteries
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B07FC18H1S/
Some seem to project a wider light beam
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B07GQN3793/
Which one would you suggest?
Thanks

Sbiriguda said:

Some are small, UV only, with AAA batteries like this one

Click to expand...

Bear Grylls has used something like this for his scorpion hunts. I'm sure I've seen Steve Irwin use something similar too

I would suggest that you look for a 365 nm UV flashlight... >385 nm usually is going to light the scorpions much less.

Here is a good thread:

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?424153-Need-a-new-scorpion-hunting-light

I have the S2+ with a UV filter option (Wood's glass UV filter) as there is a fair amount of "bluish" light visible from the UV LED without the filter. Wearing standard prescription glasses, or UV filtering safety glasses is helpful too (our eyes fluoresce some under UV light). Note a 3 Watt (3,000 mWatt) UV LED light only produces around 900-1,000 mWatts of UV light (you will see both "ratings"--3 Watt driven LED, and/or 1 Watt UV output--Both are "the same" rating).

I got mine through China... Hopefully you can find something closer to you...

Personally, no (or very few) scorpions around here--Others have the UV Scorpion experience.

-Bill

I don't have experience with scorpion hunting but the JETbeam JET-UV (365NM) might fit the bill. It is small,UV only and uses a single AAA battery. Decent quality for about $20 U.S. and it actually has a little throw as well. The JETbeam was available on Amazon but I haven't looked lately.

The Nitecore P20UV light should be readily available in Italy.
The light uses either CR123 or 18650 batteries.
When not being used as a UV light, it's got a white LED emitting 800 lumens of light that has good throw for a compact light.

Thank you very much you gave me very good suggestions

This is the jetbeam UV available in Italy for about 26 eur
https://www.fruugo.it/niteye-da-uvl...MIsdu78Zbz4QIVlYjVCh1cAgI4EAQYASABEgLqXPD_BwE

This is Nitecoure p20uv price 64 eur here in Italy
https://it.coolboyshop.com/nitecore...MIjemlt5bz4QIVBxDTCh1pIAEQEAQYAyABEgLc6fD_BwE

Will search about flashlight + UV filter and read the other thread

The jetbeam is in pole position for the low price, though the Nitecore p20uv could still make sense provided it's also a traditional torch and it could prove useful to carry only one instead of 2, also Nitecore is a very good brand

Hello and welcome to CPF

Your posts above have been approved, but no need to direct link every item to outside sales sites. Just stating the brand and model of flashlight for discussion is sufficient, thanks

From the earlier thread, I'm still using the same Convoy S2+ with filter for an hour or two every night and everything is still working fine. I'd buy another immediately if anything happened to it.

Sbiriguda said:

Hello everybody, this is my first post
Soon I will go to South Africa for a trip and I have been suggested by locals to get a UV flashlight to spot out scorpions, that in SA are dangerous for humans.
I would like to buy from Amazon Italy (will leave soon and have no time to wait for Gearbest delivery). If possible I would like to get a small and not too bulky flashlight. I really have no idea on which one I should get…
Some are small, UV only, with AAA batteries like this one
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B076F2JHQY/
Others are 2 in 1 that is both UV and LED flashlight
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B07568DFCH/
Others have 18650 batteries
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B07FC18H1S/
Some seem to project a wider light beam
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B07GQN3793/
Which one would you suggest?
Thanks

Click to expand...

I have both the 1st and 2nd you listed.

1st one is very weak and doesnt have a far output, you would have to be very close to something.

2nd one is very bright and actually hurts my eyes in a bedroom, I use mine to light up my glow in the dark stuff. It would be great for scorpian hunting.

I use UV (type) light all the time, for looking in eyes with a fluorescein dye that highlights abrasions, foreign bodies and sctratches, and use this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D2F1TGY/ from Amazon. Two lights in one with one end a white and the other blue/purple. It's good for what I use to for which is relatively close work and the quality of blue light is superior to other budget lights I've tried. Also its powered by AAA batteries which seem to last well. Not an enthusiasts flashlight but practical and very useful.

If they haven't sold out HDS had a couple UV lights last time I looked. Very high quality!

I don't hunt scorpions but I use a uv light to check for automotive fluid leaks that have had dye added. I've had a lot of "UV" lights before but none have really been that good. After joining and reading the posts here on Candlepower Forums, people say the lights that have a 365nm Nichia led work the best.

So, I bought both a Jaxman UV with a dark lens and a Convoy S2+UV with a clear lens. Both have the 365nm Nichia led and work with a 18650 battery. Both work the same regardless of the dark and clear lens on what I use them for. The both light up dye even in the shop with the lights on, these uv lights are the best I have ever used and the only ones that I will use from now on.

I have an HDS but also curious about the convoys and also wondering why are some quite expensive and some like $30? Any ideas or just shops price gouging

I have 3 of the Convoy S2+ UV lights with the Woods Glass Filter.

And my daughter took one of them to her store to check the strips on $100 USD bills... The store could not find/keep running any other UV currency checker that did not quickly fail.

Here is a pretty detailed look/review of a couple UV LED flashlights (including the S2+ and dissambiled photos):

https://www.ultravioletphotography.com/content/index.php/topic/2120-convoy-s2-uv-flashlight/

Currently running around $26 for flashlight and $4 or so for the filter (UV LED does emit a fair amount of bluish white light without filter).

So far, the lights work great. Single mode (full power on/off) flashlight that works. Uses 18650 battery (protected or unprotected cell is fine--I am using protected).

Around 4 week delivery with free shipping direct from China to USA. Did not get hit with taxes or customs duty on my packages (also got a simple holster for the lights).

-Bill

Thanks Bill
I m seeing amazon for $150 or there abouts, gearbest for $36 and $20 something on Ali express. I have an HDS with the woods black lens filter and have been told it's ok to use without special glasses. I've read and heard from other sources it's not ok. So bit confused plus wondering why the differences in the prices above and is the difference significant?
I love the HDS but I quite like the design of the convoy also.

The Convoy S2+ UV came with little to no documentation. If you know what an 18650 Li Ion battery is (know what protected/unprotected Li Ion Battery means, and have a 1 bay or 4 bay charger)--I would have no hesitation ordering more again (I did make two orders over time--1x UV light first order, and 2x UV lights + other stuff on second order--Both came simply packed in an envelope with the boxed lights, UV filters in boxes, and some fabric holsters thrown in) with ~4 week delivery from order on a Visa credit card.

I see the same light on Amazon (for more $$)--And very poor reviews because no battery supplied/no documentation. And most seem to be 3-4 week delivery from China/overseas anyway (and more expensive).

Not white glove service... But frankly at those prices (and no minimum charge), it was hard to beat as a Lark...

Search "aliexpress Convoy S2+ 365nm Nichia UV Waterproof LED Flashlight" will probably get you to the mfg/dealer.

The lights are built simply and well. Beams were clean (see previous link). Order 1x light+filter+velcro holster and forget about it for the next month. It will come (there is some tracking, so you can see when it leaves China).

At Aliexpress, the Convoy Dealer is the actual company (not a reseller, from what I can tell).

What happens with the new USA Tariffs and other issues... It may make some of these "simple" orders more complicated.

My prescription glasses block the UV just fine... I would not point the light directly in my eyes--Just like I would warn anyone that has a white LED lamp with 1 to 3 Watt drive. There is a surprising amount of heat coming out the front of the flashlight (3 watts in, 1 watt UV out, ~2 watts of radiated heat--that you can feel on your skin--body of flashlight does not get very warm).

With UVA, you might feel a little "sand" in your eyes if you are getting too much UVA. Not like UVC which causes lots of damage to organic materials. (I am just a casual user of UVA light--Not a doctor).

Note that some folks use Yellow goggles to block the blue light (from 395 nm and longer lamps, I would guess) so that they can see the (relatively dim) floresences (urine, etc.) easier. Link is FYI--I know nothing about the product:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OBZ64M/?tag=cpf0b6-20

For me, pretty much like any decent quality LED 18650 Flashlight (and similar beam--more spot with some spill, not flood).

-Bill

Thanks Bill,
I have some 18650's and a Xtar vp4 Dragon
But currently only one light for the 18650's.
I m not a lover of the yellow or orange glasses and would rather run a light with the (black) lens. I ve not had the symptoms of the uv problems and don't want any but I m looking into this. I appreciate your information on this and hope the op manages to get a decent light.