my %&*#*@!! Inova light died

Dijos

Dijos

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
2,600
I got a flat yesterday, so I was pulling the tire off. As a quick aside, please do yourself a favor and change your tire at least once in a non=emergency situation. I dropped a bolt (yes a bolt, not a lugnut, thank you volkswagen...Not), So I think, Hey, I've got my little inova light, it's so bright, it has so many options, and soooo much cheaper than a new photon. And....Nothing. It half-ass lights up, and quits. Then, it'll light only if I hold the button down. Then, it sporadically blinks. Then again, nothing. I'm going to pick up a new set of batteries, but if that doesn't work, I'm springing for a new photon. I never had this problem with one; I carried a Photon II for about 4 years on my keychain, and the batteries finally died, causing me to replace it. Has this happened to anybody else?
 
I've found the little Inova key ring lights to be somewhat...delicate. Changing batteries on these things needs to be done with utmost care.

They're bright to the max for sure, but from my experience, I wouldn't rely on it as my only light, especially in an automobile.

I've had no problems with my Inova X5, however. It's almost as if the two products were made by two different companies. :confused:
 
2 years and 3 sets of batteries through mine with no problems. Sorry you got a dud. I will say that mine only goes to the office in the pocket of my scrubs so it's not abused.

todd
 
Dijos: if you are referring to the Inova Micro light, it is notorious for coming on accidentally in one's pocket and running the battery down. Unlike the Photon, it has a very soft switch. You can even turn it on with static electricity, by rubbing it lightly on top of your noggin.

Every good knife guy needs at least one, and preferable several, good lights within arm's reach at all times. Get yourself a Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA luxeon (single LED, not 7 LED) for the car (under $30), and an Arc AAA ($40+) for your keychain. That will get you started, anyway.

As for the tire prob, last week I broke the stud off a wheel while changing a tire on the side of the road. Excessive man-strength, no doubt.

cheers
 
I have owned about 6 Photons and never had a problem with any of them. Have changed multiple sets of batteries too. The Inovas I've owned 2 of, one of which had to be returned for a broken switch out of the package.
Matt
 
My Target recently had only the green Inova microlights go on sale for $3 apiece so I bought 3.









To harvest the batteries for my Photon II (which is a good 5 years old and still works perfectly).
 
I had a Photon burn through a set of batteries, so I picked up new ones, and was totally unable to replace them. The entire insides of the little !$^%$ )( #*&_ just fell out and I couldn't get them back in place again. Whatever I get in the future, it won't be a Photon. Most of those tinylights are just too delicate. Arc AAA is good. Streamlight Stylus is great. Even a PALlight is better than a light that's not much more than a battery and a bulb.
 
imho the arc AAA is as good as it gets in a small lite like that, others are gaining ground on arc though.
 
I've been carrying a Photon 2 for about four years now with no problems. I've been through a couple sets of batteries because I've used the heck out of it as it's simply always there. I'll admit you have to be a bit carefull changeing the batteries, but it the switch mechanisim falls out, just put it back in. I'd saved the box with the directions, and followed them. Photons are just great.

But good as they are, for the last several months I've been playing with an AAA Dorsey pocket lite from Walmart. Its a very impressive little light, especially at 5.00 dollars. I carry it in a nylon belt pouch with my sak or stockman so its handy without having to dig around for my keyring. Good amount of light, good runtime, seems sturdy. Time will tell.

I've thought about an arc AAA but I don't know if its worth 40.00 dollars.
 
I have never had a problem with my Photons. My Photon II is over 5 years old. If it craps out now, I got my money's worth. The Streamlight Stylus and PALight are great sugestions. My pit used my PALight as a chew toy and it is still going strong.
 
I recommend photon clones from lighthound.com or the little lights from countycomm.com

At a buck a pop, just toss em when the battery dies.
 
If I may do a little promo here.
The other day I bought a Streamlight "Keymate" http://www.copquest.com/10-4650.htm and am pretty impressed with it.
One , it is totally economic , at 8$ I am impressed with the value I purchased.
Two , for it's size it puts out quite a nice beam ! I was pretty "ooh and ahh" when I finally got it into a dark dark room.
Three , it looks cool... It's so small it wont be noticed in your pocket as an EDC , it would make a fantastic back up light for your larger torch.

The only downside to it is , I prefer the bulk of my lights to use common batteries (IMO a common battery is AA, AAA etc ) this one uses little hearing aid type batteries which I am sure arent hard to get but still... you get my drift.

Anyways , yea a thumbs up for the Streamlight key-mate :thumbup:
 
Remeber that the actual LED is held in the light in the manner akin to a bi-pin bulb. Mine became a little problematic but once I took it apart and checked it out I found that if it ever flickers (not often anymore) all I need to do is push the LED in slightly so it is seated all the way.

P.S. you can change the LEDs in the Inova microlights very easily. I swapped the stock LED for a brighter one from the free Lighthound.com light and for some reason it is perfectly white, the whitest LED I own.
 
i share your pain man,
i had a M2 and the f$%^ing lithium batteries leaked ruining the whole unit.
 
spyderknut said:
I recommend photon clones from lighthound.com or the little lights from countycomm.com

At a buck a pop, just toss em when the battery dies.
Click to expand...

Come on...You guys wouldn't tolerate if someone came on here recommending Spyderco clones. If you want a Photon, support the guys who make the real thing (LRI).

I wholeheartedly recommend a Photon Freedom. I haven't used the blinking functions yet, but I have used the dimmer function. Sometimes you just don't need or want that much light (like in a movie theater or car). They also have gold plated contacts and socketed LEDs. This last feature is useful for keeping up with LED advancements. LED's just got twice as bright and twice as efficient? You're an easy upgrade away from current technology. Just call LRI and I'm sure they'll hook you up.

As for batteries, buy a batch of them on ebay. They are far cheaper and when you have batteries on hand, you will want to change them out more often instead of waiting till the light is dim (or dead) and nearly useless. I've already tried a battery swap with my Freedom just to see how difficult it is and unless you are fat fingered, its cake.

Mark
 
What? You had a flat tire and the only torch you had available was a dinky little keychain light? You are a disgrace to the forum, sir! I would have had a Photon on my keychain, a SureFire E2E in my pocket, a 6-C Maglight in the seat pouch, a 9-volt Surefire M3 in the console, a 6-volt UK lithium in my emergency kit, a Streamlight Stylus in my first aid kit, and one of those 2 million candlepower plug-in floodlights in the back of the truck.

Of course, I have no idea where the spare tire is, but I'd have had plenty of light, dammit! :)
 
I would have had a Photon on my keychain, a SureFire E2E in my pocket, a 6-C Maglight in the seat pouch, a 9-volt Surefire M3 in the console, a 6-volt UK lithium in my emergency kit, a Streamlight Stylus in my first aid kit, and one of those 2 million candlepower plug-in floodlights in the back of the truck.
Click to expand...

Is that all !?? Sheesh , what a wimpy amount of lights.... I haul one of these with me wherever I go
http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/Bulletin/0410/Searchlight at Fort sm 2.jpg

:D
 
craigz said:
What? You had a flat tire and the only torch you had available was a dinky little keychain light? You are a disgrace to the forum, sir! I would have had a Photon on my keychain, a SureFire E2E in my pocket, a 6-C Maglight in the seat pouch, a 9-volt Surefire M3 in the console, a 6-volt UK lithium in my emergency kit, a Streamlight Stylus in my first aid kit, and one of those 2 million candlepower plug-in floodlights in the back of the truck.

Of course, I have no idea where the spare tire is, but I'd have had plenty of light, dammit! :)
Click to expand...


I have only 3 or 4 flashlights, but I was trying to simulate real world conditions for a side of the road repair. It makes me more tactical..:D
 
well, I got new batteries, Not the problem. the damn thing is broken.RRR
 
Minjin said:
Come on...You guys wouldn't tolerate if someone came on here recommending Spyderco clones. If you want a Photon, support the guys who make the real thing (LRI).

I wholeheartedly recommend a Photon Freedom. I haven't used the blinking functions yet, but I have used the dimmer function. Sometimes you just don't need or want that much light (like in a movie theater or car). They also have gold plated contacts and socketed LEDs. This last feature is useful for keeping up with LED advancements. LED's just got twice as bright and twice as efficient? You're an easy upgrade away from current technology. Just call LRI and I'm sure they'll hook you up.

As for batteries, buy a batch of them on ebay. They are far cheaper and when you have batteries on hand, you will want to change them out more often instead of waiting till the light is dim (or dead) and nearly useless. I've already tried a battery swap with my Freedom just to see how difficult it is and unless you are fat fingered, its cake.

Mark
Click to expand...

If Spyderco clones were as good as Spyderco knives at a tenth or twentieth of the price, Spyderco would have a hard time in this world. It is hard to beat their quality/price ratio, even from China.
 
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