Inova fail. Next up: Photon MicroLight I

[Singh]

Jeez, what can you write about a keychain light? Not much, but I’ll give it a try.

Having a little light on your keychain is useful when you’re trying to find the lock to your door at night.

I did some research and got an Inova. It lasted about two months before it stopped working. I popped off the back and there was moisture in there along with some rust on the battery. This was not there when I got the light. My keys get wet occasionally, and it appears the Inova is not as water resistant as it claims to be.

Next up: a Photon Micro-Light I. I like that it has no modes because I’m only using it to find keyholes in the dark.  If I need a light for anything else, I use my ZebraLight SC52 .

Initial impressions on the Photon:

• The Photon is smaller than the Inova. Very small. Smaller than you might think. Despite its diminutive size, it feels solid.
• I don’t see the exposed bulb getting damaged. As long as you don’t hurl your keys into a brick wall, you should be okay.
• You change the batteries by removing a cap on the back. This could be an area of concern (mental images of a cap popping off and your batteries falling out)  but the cap locks in there with authority.
• Lastly, the Photon *seems* brighter than the Inova, even though they are both rated  4.5 and 6 lumens repsectively.  For those interested in beam color, the light is white with a very faint green halo.

So far the Photon is holding up. If anything goes wrong, I’ll let you all know.

[enki_ck]

I always wondered how the original compares to the fauxtons I've been carrying for years. And for the record you can throw those at a brick wall and they'll keep on working. (The light I mean, but the keys as well I suppose. )

Please keep us updated on how it works for you.

[Gareth]

I have to admit that, while I've had a few copies (fauxtons), I've never actually owned a real Photon light.  

[powernoodle]

Photons are awesome.  The only real downside for a flashlight freak is that they aren't regulated, so their output diminishes over time.  But otherwise its a great light to stick on a keychain, zipper pull (never tried it on my pants - though I don't judge those who do), or anywhere else.

[jekostas]

Try contacting Inova/Nite Ize about your flashlight.  Their customer service is excellent.

[Singh]

meh, sending in a $7 light for warranty work is like taking in a disposable lighter in for repairs. *shrugs*

[Singh]

I came home Saturday night to a flooded garage. It had warmed up enough for the ice to melt, but the ground was still frozen, so the only place for the water to go was in the garage.  My spouse pushed the frozen slush water out the back door of the garage and onto the patio where I waited. From there I shoveled the slush into the backyard.

I illuminated the patio with the Photon to make sure I got all the water. The 4.5 lumen light was bright and floody enough to light up the area fairly well.  I was shoveling while holding my keys/Photon and I dropped them into the slush water. I picked them up and shook off the excess water. The Photon worked fine. Afterwards, I popped the cap off to see if any water got in there and none had. That wasn’t really an endurance test, but it was worth mentioning.

The main lesson taken from this: an itty bitty light can be all you need for lighting up the area around you.

[Gareth]

Good story Shamus.   You're right about how much effect a "mere" 4.5lumen can have, it's actually a perfectly usable amount of light in a lot of circumstance.