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Detailed
Information:
The Inova T Series are exceptional little lights. They
are very similar to the X series, except that they have
texturing over the length of the body and have clickie
talicaps instead of the "tactical style" tailcaps
of the X series. This review covers the details common
to all of the lights with differences stated where appropriate.
The body of the T series is Type III hard anodized
aluminum (commonly known as HA-III) with grid-like grooves
machined into its sides to help with grip. Type III
anodize is much harder and tougher than the Type II
anodize found on common aluminum flashlights in department
stores. For reference, I have a small HA-III flashlight
that I have carried in my pocket with my keys for the
last 8 months and it has received no significant damage
to the finish at all. Try that with a Solitaire!
The textured surface of the T series provides much
better grip than that found with the X series of Inova
lights. The tailcap has the same type of texturing pattern
as found on the body. The inside of the light is also
anodized for corrosion resistance. Machining is very
good. The fit and finish are excellent.
The very front of the light contains a stainless steel
ring with a beveled inner edge. This helps protect the
recessed anti-reflective coated glass optics in front
of the collimating lens from impact damage.
Hiding in the bezel behind the glass optic is the uniquely
designed collimating lens. This is Inova's "TIROS"
or Total Internal Reflection Optical System lens. Total
internal reflection is not something new and is actually
utilized by Lumileds (the maker of the Luxeon LED) in
their current collimating lenses. This is also how fiber
optic cables work and how many large water fountains
are illuminated. Inova has reshaped the collimating
lens to provide a very even and uniform spot unlike
other lenses that are available. Transmission efficiency
has also presumably been improved, although I do not
know the efficiency of current Luxeon LED collimating
lenses. Resting behind the lenses is the Luxeon LED
and regulation circuit which provides very flat constant
light output regulation during the useful life of the
batteries.
The T1 and T2 use Luxeon I LEDs, while the T3 uses
a Luxeon III LED. The Luxeon III, contrary to popular
belief, is not a 3 Watt LED. It is actually a more robust
Luxeon I which can handle greater currents and is capable
of greater output. The Luxeon I, used in the T1 and
T2, is designed to handle 350mA of current and produces
around 25 Lumens at those current levels. The Luxeon
III is designed to handle 1000mA and produces around
80 Lumens at that current level.
For reference, the Luxeon V Portable (commonly called
the 5 watt Luxeon) which is NOT used by any of these
lights but is the other high output LED made by Lumileds,
is designed for 700mA current and produces around 120
Lumens at that current rate. However, the Luxeon V requires
higher voltage than the Luxeon I and the Luxeon III.
Any of the LEDs mentioned above could be driven at
higher current levels provided that heatsinking is adequate
to prevent thermal damage to the LED. Likewise, any
of them can be driven at lower levels to produce light
more efficiently and give longer battery life.
The tailcap switch looks similar to the Inova X series.
There is a rubber dot in the center of the switch which
covers the mechanism inside. Pressing the switch reveals
the difference between the T and the X series switches.
The T series has a clickie switch instead of a momentary.
Click on and off with your thumb. Press in gently (before
the click) for momentary illumination. Turn back 1 full
turn and the light is "locked out" - it cannot
turn on. This setting is to prevent accidental operation
which could wear down your battery in the bottom of
your backpack or luggage.
Now I did have a slight problem with one of the switches.
I clicked it and the light blinked on and then off again.
It did this several times. I loosened and re-tightened
the switch and the switch started functioning normally,
but the light flickered a bit. After repeated clicks,
the problem seems to have cleared up. I believe it may
simply have been a dirty contact inside the switch.
For all of the lights, output is in the form of a round
spot of light which has a bright center and tapers toward
the edges. There are several slight rings of light and
dark that appear around the periphery of the beam. The
TIROS lens system takes the wide angle LED illumination
pattern and focuses it into a very tight beam that allows
for very good distance illumination. Of course the T3
is the brightest of the lights, giving greatest distance
lighting, the T2 is next, and the T1 follows that.
As for runtimes, the T1 is expected to run for about
1.5 hours before dropping out of regulation. The T2
should run about 5 hours. The T3, being driven at higher
current levels due to its more robust LED and producing
more light, should run about 2 hours. Regulated output
is followed by a drop-off in light production down to
low levels which should last for several hours.
Runtime Plot: T1: Lasts longer than the advertised
1.5 hours.
Runtime
completed with Powerizer batteries. More information
on runtime plots is available HERE.
Runtime Plot: T2: Lasts a bit longer than the advertised
5 hours. Interesting to note that after this light reaches
25% or so it starts strobing on and off (not shown on
graph).
Runtime
completed with Energizer batteries. More information
on runtime plots is available HERE.
Runtime Plot: T3 : Right in line with the manufacturer's
statement of a 2 hour burn time - the light drops out
of regulation after 2 hours. Interesting to note that
after this light reaches 20% or so it starts strobing
on and off (not shown on graph).
Runtime
completed with Energizer batteries. More information
on runtime plots is available HERE.
Ergonomics: The Inova T series is comfortable
in the hand and easy to grip. They are easy to use in
a "tactical" manner by holding the light in
the palm and clicking the switch with the thumb. Depending
on how hard the switch is depressed, momentary illumination
is possible. The T1 is small but fits well in the palm.
The T3 is balanced well despite the larger bezel.
The T series is water resistant and is protected at
the tailcap by an o-ring which should be kept clean
and lubricated with a silicone grease. The lens seal
is Teflon and requires no maintenance.
The T1 is powered by a single 123A lithium battery,
the T2 and T3 are powered by two 123A lithium batteries.
These batteries are very expensive to buy in stores
and we recommend purchasing them on-line. Simply unscrew
the tailcap and drop in the new batteries, positive
side facing you. There is a piston-based reverse polarity
protection device built in to the far end of the light
to protect the electronics.
The package includes batteries. Unlike the Inova X
series, no belt sheath is included.
I have been informed by a third party that the Bianchi
Accumold 7311 Compact Light Holder in size 2 (for SureFire
6R/9P and similar models) fits the T3 very well. The
7311 fits the Inova lights just about perfectly -- all
it needs is a thin spacer to stop the clickie from activating
when the light is inserted all the way. They used the
thin nylon washer trick for the spacer. 1" diameter,
.125" thick. They then drilled out the inside to
about .65" to be sure that ANY clickie would not
touch the spacer
They also mentioned that the Inova lights will fit
the Pelican pouch - but to prevent the light from activating,
it needs a modified 1" wide x 1/4" thick nylon
spacer at the bottom -- they enlarged the hole in a
standard Home Depot or Lowe's nylon washer using a drill-tree
bit.
What I Liked: Well engineered, Tough light,
HA-III finish, Good gripping surfaces, Smooth and uniform
beam, Great throw. Lots of extras like the stainless
steel bezel ring, coated optics and flat output regulation
circuitry.
What I Didn't Like: Nothing really.
Other Things I Noticed: Slight switch problem
with one of the units, but repeated use seems to have
cleared it up.
Conclusions: A well engineered set of lights
with top quality components, great regulation and delivers
as promised. Have excellent throw for LED lights, and
very good output for their sizes. The use of the Luxeon
LED means never having to worry about the bulb failing
like an incandescent bulb. The whole lot receives 5 Stars! T1 and T2 are great utility lights. The T3 should
be able to serve as a tactical light for nighttime encounters
of the less desirable kind.
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