Inova X5 "Tactical" Flashlight

[Hickeroar]

I see a lot of surefires and other more well-known brands of flashlights mentioned in here but I've never seen anyone mention the Inova X5. I've been keeping at my "Home Defense" flashlight for a while now and when going out at night with friends I'll bring it along. It costs a bit less than some of the "premium" options but it's still 30-40 bucks depending on where you shop. I found mine for 29.99 at Target. I believe at the time it was on sale from 39.99.

If you haven't read about it you might check here: http://www.pocketlights.com/x5.asp

- 110,000+ hour lamp life
- 120' Effective Range
- 20+ hours battery life
- 2000+ pound crush resistant
- 2 mile visibility
- Waterproof to 150 ft.
- Push button on/off button on rear of switch

I've looked at it just to test how bright it was. 5 minutes later I was still having trouble seeing. 10 minutes later I still saw 5 clearly defined bright dots in the middle of my vision.

You can seriously pick these things up everywhere. Walmart, Fry's (if you have them), Academy (if you have them), bass pro, cabelas, Target, and plenty of other places.

They also make a single magnified LED version which costs 15-20 bucks less. Not as bright though. They make these in several colors of light. I got the bright white of course.

Just though I'd let yall know they exist in case you didn't.

Sorry, put this in the wrong forum. Can an admin move it?

[Eddie C.]

:threadmoved:

[Hickeroar]

Thanks :)

[Kramer]

I have a case of these things in my garage. A friend of mine owns the company. They're great for general use but not really a tactical light. I will say the construction is rugged as hell. Like no other light out there.

[Neocon]

Today I looked at the X1, the smaller version. It is pretty darn cool. Super small fairly bright with a really long battery life. Just the think for 24/4 carry. The only concern I have is what if I keep this thing in my pocket. Will that lense that makes the beam so bright and focused get scratched? I bet it will. Right now I keep maglights smallest light in my pocket at all times. Not for tactical reasons for practical reasons. I find if I have a light I use it a lot.

[kengps]

Can't imagine buying an X-5 when you can have the T1, T2, or T3 instead.

[aaronrkelly]

I have an X5 and love it. Plenty bright for what I need 95% of the time.

I also own a Surefire G2 as well. I really, really like the G2 but it eats batteries like I eat pop tarts.

I have been taking the batteries that came out of my G2 after it deceided they were "dead" enough not to work and tossing them in my X5 to "finish them off".

The "dead" batteries from my G2 are just as bright as fresh ones when put in my X5 and last about 3 months of casual use.

I have stopped using my G2 daily - it sets with fresh batteries next to my "WTF was that noise" pistol.

I use my X5 daily and I still havent made it thru my pile of "dead" G2 batteries yet.

[arqdos]

The X5 is a great all around light but it is not a Tac Light
The T3 and T4 are tac lights
I have a X5 and take it camping, fishing and keep it around the house but fot tac use I use a X03 (same as T3 but with different swich)
They are very well built and very competitive pricewise comparing to other brands.

[Hickeroar]

What makes something a tactical light? Why would the X5 not be considered one?

[arqdos]

Tac lights usually are Spot ligths (they concentrate most of their light in one spot) The X5 is a flood light (Spreads its lights )
Try this, point your X5 into an object at 60ft or so. YouŽll get very little light in the object itself. Try the same thing with a X03 or similar, the result will be completely different.
IŽm not saying that you could not use your X5 for home defense but for that pourpose a X03 T3 or T4 is much better since it will concentrate all of its power on its intended target (eyes) making it more effective.
Rod

[aaronrkelly]

Originally posted by arqdos
Tac lights usually are Spot ligths (they concentrate most of their light in one spot) The X5 is a flood light (Spreads its lights )
Try this, point your X5 into an object at 60ft or so. YouŽll get very little light in the object itself. Try the same thing with a X03 or similar, the result will be completely different.
IŽm not saying that you could not use your X5 for home defense but for that pourpose a X03 T3 or T4 is much better since it will concentrate all of its power on its intended target (eyes) making it more effective.
Rod

Correct and I agree. A quick check of INOVAs website shows they do NOT advertise it as a tactical light....they refer to it as a LED floodlight.

However if you check many of the sites that are selling the X5 they will refer to it as "tactical" - basically sensationalism BS to sell cool flashlights....I mean its "tactical"....who wouldnt want it.

[Sierra]

I have one and while I wouldn't ever think of it as tactical it does have a lot going for it. Great construction, you can wrap your hand around it and dramatically increase your fighting potential and it is sturdy enough to use with a little blunt force. It really makes you want to move up to a Surefire.

[aaronrkelly]

Originally posted by Sierra
I have one and while I wouldn't ever think of it as tactical it does have a lot going for it. Great construction, you can wrap your hand around it and dramatically increase your fighting potential and it is sturdy enough to use with a little blunt force. It really makes you want to move up to a Surefire.

They are tough little buggers....I have washed and dried mine no less than a dozen times easily. It never fails to work and stays completely dry inside. I have dropped mine countless times....great lights.

[arqdos]

They are great lights, donŽt get me wrong. I use the X5 all the time, in fact I have 2, one in the car and one around the house. The battery shelf life is 10 years, so in case of emergency youŽll know youŽll have power. I canŽt recall how many times I ruin a maglite due to battery acid. From my experience, you tend to forget the flshlight in your car until you need it and keeping batteries separated from the lights is not an option for me (eventually youŽll use the batteries for something else and have no batteries when you need them)The light from the X5 is excellent for emergencies and looking into the hood, and batteries, well, change them if you want everytime you change your car.. 20hs of light should get you thru the night easily. Price is good, no need to pay more for surefire.
X03 and T3 are great but for other pourposes.
Rod