INOVA X0

Inova X0, retail $58.00 (www.inovalight.com)
Manufactured by Inova (www.inovalight.com)
Buy it at THELEDLIGHT.COM
Last updated 09-29-04




The Inova X0 is the big brother (or sister) to Inova's X5 and X5T flashlights. Instead of 5 LEDs that use their own optics to form the beam, the X0 has a single Luxeon LED and a custom-made TIROS (Total Internal Reflection System) collimator to produce its beam. It uses two CR123A lithium camera cells in its all-aluminum body to power that LED.

The Inova X0 features an anodized brushed aluminum housing, and has a hole in the tailcap which you can use to affix a lanyard of your choosing. A stainless steel ring is present on the front of the flashlight to help protect the lens, and a pair of Duracell Ultra CR123A cells are included, already installed in the flashlight for you.


SIZE



To use the new Inova X0, first you'll need to get it out of its packaging. This sample was purchased second-hand, so I don't know what kind of packaging it comes in. The X0 comes ready to use right away, because the batteries are already installed.

Press and hold down the rubber tail button to turn the light on in momentary mode. Release to turn the X0 off.

Twist the tailcap (as if tightening) it to turn the X0 on in continuous (hands-free) mode. The light will then stay on without any further intervention on your part. Twist the tailcap counterclockwise (as if loosening it) approximately 1/10 of a turn to turn it off.

To engage the LOTC (Lock Out Tailcap) function, unscrew the tailcap approximately 1 turn more, and the light will not activate itself and waste the batteries when packed away in a box, backpack, or camping bag.

The Inova X0 comes with a nylon belt holster. The flashlight fits in it bezel-up or bezel-down. A loop on it fits belts up to approximately 1.8" wide. Since I do not own or use pants that require a belt, I will not be able to test this accessory in the manner in which it was intended to be used.
The flashlight fits in the holster rather snugly, and there's no closure or flap over the top. Personally, I would recommend bezel-down carry in this holster so that the X0's lens and optics are protected.



The Inova X0 feeds from a pair of CR123A lithium cells. A pair of Duracell Ultra CR123A cells are already installed when you buy the flashlight; however you'll eventually need to change them.

Unscrew and remove the tailcap of the Inova X0. Set that aside, because you'll need it later. Remove the dead batteries from the barrel, and dispose of or recycle them as you see fit.

Slide two new CR123A cells in the barrel, flat-end (-) negative first. Screw the tailcap back on, and back it off about 1/8 of a turn when the X0 springs to life.

There, done with that. Fun, ya!!!

Flashlight draws 299mA off the included batteries; the DMM was set on the 2A scale to help minimise shunt resistance error.




The above picture shows the business end of the Inova X0.

The Inova X0 appears to be very well built like its little brothers, the X1, X5, and X5T. It is made primarily of anodized aluminum, with a stainless steel ring on the light's business end and a rubber button on the light's tailcap. There appears to be another stainless steel (SS) ring around the switch rubber, but I'm not 100% certain about this. I'm pretty sure it's SS, but I can't be entirely positively certainly sure here.

When the tailcap was removed, the flashlight was relieved of its batteries, and that dreadful suction test was performed, there was no air leakage. So at least the bezel (head) won't admit water. According to the packaging material, there's an O-ring between the barrel and the stainless steel bezel. There's an O-ring on the barrel under the tailcap when the tailcap is screwed on, so it probably won't leak there, either. So I don't think you have to worry about using it in the rain or snow, and falls into shallow water shouldn't kill it either.

The lens is made of mineral glass, which protects the custom-made TIROS acrylic optic underneath. The lens is recessed for protection, so the usual "drag and wipe" technique for cleaning lenses won't work here. I'm not certain how you should clean this lens to keep it pristine and keep the AR coating intact...guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
A Sima LensPen is probably appropriate to use here, but since my X0's lens isn't dirty (since I just received the flashlight on 09-11-04), I can't say how well it will work.

I tried to cut through to bare metal with the blade of a Swiss army knife, and was not successful. This shows the unit most likely has a Type III hard anodized finish to it. So it should stay looking new for a long time, even if it goes up against keys, tools, or other flashlights during storage or transportation.
Would I really try to cut up a brand spanken new flashlight?
You bet your sweet patootie I would, if it's in the name of science.

The Inova X0 has an octagonal shape to it due to 8 longitudinal flutes moulded or machined into its body. These flutes do not serve well as an anti-roll mechanism though, because both the head and the tail of the light are round, so if you set the X0 on a slanted surface, it could easily roll away. If you have a lanyard or split ring fitted to it though, the lanyard or split ring itself will function as an anti-roll device, and the X0 would be less likely to roll and get away from you.
The tailcap is knurled (texturised), so you can turn the X0 on and off even if your hands are cold, wet, or oily.

The X0 cannot be stood on its tail to serve as a room light, but if you need that capability, you can stand it up inside a roll of toilet paper.



Beam photo at ~12".
Measures 608,000mcd on a Meterman LM631 light meter.




TEST NOTES:
Light was purchased from a Candlepower Forums member on 08-27-04, and was just received today (09-11-04).


UPDATE: 09-29-04
I received the packaging material for my Inova X0 this afternoon.
Here's a photograph of the X0 in its package:



The front of the package has holograph print at the front of the flashlight, and more on the right hand side (the bottom in this photograph) to simulate the flashlight's beam.


PROS:
Durable construction
Watertight and weather-resistant at very minimum
Belt holster included


CONS:
Uses batteries that can be expensive and difficult to find in an emergency


    MANUFACTURER: Emissive Energy
    PRODUCT TYPE: Small handheld LED flashlight
    LAMP TYPE: 1.2 watt Luxeon LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 1
    BEAM TYPE: Medium spot with soft fall-off at perimeter
    SWITCH TYPE: 3-way tailcap (momemtary, constant on, LOTC)
    BEZEL: Glass window protected by stainless steel collar
    BATTERY: 2x CR123A cells
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: 299mA
    WATER RESISTANT: Yes
    SUBMERSIBLE: TBA
    ACCESSORIES: Batteries, nylon belt holster
    SIZE: 5.9" L, 1.0" D
    WARRANTY: Limited lifetime

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating





Inova X0 * www.inovalight.com/






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