Short Description:

The Inova Microlight is made by Emissive Energy Corp. This little plastic keychain light runs on 2 "2016" coin batteries (10 year shelf life) and employs a single LED. The cases and LEDs come in various colors. The sample provided contained a green LED in a translucent polycarbonate case.

The light utilizes a rubber padded squeeze type switch for momentary use and a very easy to use slider switch for constant-on operation. The case is either translucent or opaque depending upon the model and is advertised as "water resistant". The LED is recessed in the case for protection.

The batteries are accessed by lifting the rubber cover off of the face of the light. No screws required. There is a clip included for attaching the light to anything suitable.

Reviewer's Impressions:

Look out Photon 2! LRI has some serious competition for the most convenient pocket light now!

This little light has just about all of the advantages of the Photon 2 plus a couple of its own. It's very light and, like the Photon, doesn't seem to exist when on the keychain. It's made of polycarbonate instead of glass-filled polyurethane, making it slightly more susceptible to physical damage than the Photon 2, but the improvements far outweigh this minor issue.

The light is water resistant due to the tight fit of the case components, which is an improvement over the Photon 2. The momentary switch has a very comfortable feel to it. It's rubber padded so it's softer on the finger than the Photon.

The constant on switch is GREAT! The momentary switch is on one side of the light, flip it over and there is the large, easy to use constant-on switch. Just slide it forward with your whole thumb (no fingernails needed here!) and on comes the light with a very positive click action.

The LED is recessed in the front of the case and is therefore well protected from drops, scratches, etc.

The batteries will power the light for about 10 - 12 hours with diminishing brightness. They are easily changed by lifting the rubber panel over the momentary switch with a blunt pointed object (ball-point pen, etc.) and working it off by gently lifting around the edges. The coin cells are easily lifted out. I completed a battery change with no tool other than a ball-point pen in less than 1 minute.

The clip attached to the end of the light, I'm sad to say, has something to be desired. The jaws do not quite touch on the sample I received, leaving a gap. As a result, the light could become dislodged from whatever it is clipped to if the surface works its way through the gap in the jaws. The clip can be removed with some difficulty and replaced with split rings if desired.

I give it 3 Stars, and would recommend it over the Photon 2 for a keychain light.

+ + + Pluses: Tough, water resistant, easy battery change, easy to use constant-on switch, LED recessed for protection, soft squeeze momentary switch

- - - Minuses: Not "waterproof", clip has gap in jaws - could result in lost light