Yet Another Bright Idea
Written: Mar 16 '04
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Uses regular AA batteries, lasts about 10 hours
Cons: Rolls around a lot, can't stand on its tail.
The Bottom Line: Need a smaller version of the X5? This is it.
|
|
|
| caradoc's Full Review: Inova X1 LED Spotlight |
I've been using the Inova X5 flashlight in my own kit for some time now, and it puts out a lot of light.
When I wanted to get my significant other a light of her own, I considered getting her an X5, too, but she wanted something smaller, lighter, and less "geeky" than my X5.
The day after she'd voiced these opinions, I found the Inova X1 on special at a local knife shop for $15.
Using a single AA battery to drive a single LED behind a rather nice lens, the flashlight puts out a very bright "spot" for its size, with well-defined edges.
With a bit of testing, I found it to be a very useful light for things like keyholes, seeing what the dogs are chewing on in a dark backyard, or anything else that would need a good light source for about 30-40 feet.
It's not a very good "area light." The spot is almost too well-defined for that, throwing a circle of light about one foot in diameter for every five feet of distance, with very little spillover.
It is bright enough to stun a would-be mugger in a dark parking lot. The "bluish" tint of the ultrabright white LED is very disturbing to eyes that have acclimated to the dark.
As an everyday "purse carry," or as a backup light for spelunking, I find that the Inova X1 has most of the benefits of the X5, with the added perk that it uses a regular AA battery for about ten hours of light instead of the two CR123 lithium batteries that the X5 uses.
The X1 is smaller than the X5. I can almost entirely conceal it in my fist. In her hand, this is perfect - the steel ring surrounding the lens sticks out just far enough to be a good striking surface.
The tailcap functions just like the X5 - twist it tight, and the light stays on. Half a twist looser, and the tailcap button turns the light on while you hold it down. Half a twist more, and the light is locked in the "off" position.
Unfortunately, the octagonal body of the light is recessed into the round cross-section, making the light prone to rolling around a lot unless you put a key ring or lanyard through the hole in the tailcap. Also, like the X5, the X1 will not stand upright on its tailcap (which would be useful for "area" lighting by reflecting light off of the ceiling.)
With a suggested retail price of $25 or so, I would highly recommend that you do a bit of shopping - it's not hard to find the X1 in the $17-$19 range.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
caradoc
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Member: John Groseclose
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Reviews written: 182
Trusted by: 133 members
About Me:
System admin, technology addict, knife thrower, and dog "caregiver."
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.