Inova micro vs Solitaire

Rodion · **on:** July 07, 2008, 07:10:09 AM

On the off chance that I don't win a free Squirt (as unlikely as it may seem), which of the above would you recommend as a gift for women? I know one is LED the other old school, but Maglite has its plusses. Anyway, which one?

Maglite, or Inova?

max6166 · **Reply #1 on:** July 07, 2008, 07:45:39 AM

I know how it sounds, but my recommendation is to forget which one is technically better, and just get whichever one is "prettier". The colour matters A LOT too.

As well, if she is not techie, she would likely prefer whichever one works more like what she is used to - in other words the Maglite. It is easier to understand and colour of the light will be more natural.

That's just my general experience. Your mileage may vary...

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #2 on:** July 07, 2008, 09:41:09 AM

I'd go with the Solitare too, as women are FAR more tactile than us blokes

WhichDawg · **Reply #3 on:** July 07, 2008, 10:27:00 AM

women (people) who are not into lights and don't know the cons and pros but know names
would chose the Mag/Solitaire light I think, and would think the plastic Inova is cheap.

but I have both and have used the Inova way more and know the cons and pros. Personally
I would choose the Inova "for them!" knowing it will do more for them in the real world.

Benner · **Reply #4 on:** July 07, 2008, 01:18:56 PM

I would go with the Solitaire as well. I think those outside of "the know" will appreciate the Solitaires appearance and feel more than that of the Inova.

I know which one I would chose though.

WhichDawg · **Reply #5 on:** July 07, 2008, 01:23:31 PM

what shocked me is the keychain lights they have now; http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1253
are even brighter than my Inova! and way less expensive.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #6 on:** July 07, 2008, 01:25:08 PM

Thats a bit of a bargain

WhichDawg · **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2008, 01:27:41 PM

of course they are not as tough or well made, but they are a backup to backups!
I payed over 16 usd for my single Inova! what will they have in 10 years!!

WhichDawg · **Reply #8 on:** July 07, 2008, 01:37:04 PM

we got a couple of sets (20) and have had them for more than 6 months now on every coat, jacket zipper (can't even tell)
even on the dog collar (when the lights go out, here puppy, light to us!) and they work great, none have gone dim on us (for what we use them for, momentary spotting, it's pretty dark here, no city lights).

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #9 on:** July 07, 2008, 01:39:21 PM

Quote from: WhichDawg on July 07, 2008, 01:37:04 PM

we got a couple of sets (20) and have had them for more than 6 months now on every coat, jacket zipper (can't even tell)
even on the dog collar (when the lights go out, here puppy, light to us!) and they work great, none have gone dim on us (for what we use them for, momentary spotting, it's pretty dark here, no city lights).

Good idea about the dog collar mate

jzmtl · **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2008, 09:24:06 PM

Not sure about Inova but the DX ones are cooking the little LED alive, pumping nearly 80ma over a led spec'ed for 20ma. But then again at less than 50 cents each, who cares.

If you want colored ones, search DX for color 5mm LED, they are direct drop in (except red, which may burn out from 6v).

Leatherman123 · **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2008, 09:35:58 PM

Get the Inova micro.. IMO, a Solitare is far too unreliable.. Whenever I go to use one the battery is drained.. The micro IMO is far superior!

Benner · **Reply #12 on:** July 07, 2008, 09:38:05 PM

Quote from: Leatherman123 on July 07, 2008, 09:35:58 PM

Get the Inova micro.. IMO, a Solitare is far too unreliable.. Whenever I go to use one the battery is drained.. The micro IMO is far superior!

But is that the one you would give as a gift to a woman?

hawkchucker · **Reply #13 on:** July 07, 2008, 10:31:15 PM

Id also go with the Inova. Very small. More reliable. Brighter. More options for light, and can be clipped very easily to keychan and removed just as easy.

Teofilo · **Reply #14 on:** July 08, 2008, 12:08:24 AM

I'll go with the solitaire. It looks cool for a gift. I gave one to a lady friend too!

WhichDawg · **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2008, 12:24:40 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on July 07, 2008, 09:24:06 PM

Not sure about Inova but the DX ones are cooking the little LED alive, pumping nearly 80ma over a led spec'ed for 20ma. But then again at less than 50 cents each, who cares.

If you want colored ones, search DX for color 5mm LED, they are direct drop in (except red, which may burn out from 6v).

they do cook, but I only use it for seconds, I hear they have even brighter ones now (roasting!).

DaveK · **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2008, 12:26:04 AM

Get her this...

If she doesn't like it and throws it back in your face - I'll give you a fiver for it

Leatherman123 · **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2008, 12:31:23 AM

I would indeed give it to a women.. It is much smaller, can go directly on keychain, and it lasts a long time!

Rodion · **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2008, 01:15:06 AM

You guys are no help at all.

Well okay, that's not completely true. I get that the microlight will go unnoticed, while Solitaire gives off a big splash then sinks.

Great. So I'm either a poor friend or a poor gift giver. $:-\$

Hoghead · **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2008, 04:02:49 AM

I've given a lot of lights to my family and all but two of them prefer the Photon II because of size. The other two prefer the ARC AAA because it uses standard batteries. I've given a few of the Inova Micro lights to friends and they all love them.

I recomend the Inova because it goes unnoticed on a key ring. It will be used and appreciated.

nezza33 · **Reply #20 on:** July 08, 2008, 09:58:12 AM

I have both but for brightness i like the inova,But for reliability go with the mag.Or do what we normally do GET BOTH!!!

hawkchucker · **Reply #21 on:** July 08, 2008, 10:40:04 AM

I dont know about the Mag being more reliable. Everyone I ever had just ate batteries and bulbs.

Old technology bad, new technology good.

nezza33 · **Reply #22 on:** July 08, 2008, 04:53:02 PM

Someone off youtube gave me a gadget that lets you tur the solitare into LED.

ringzero · **Reply #23 on:** July 08, 2008, 09:41:01 PM

Quote from: hawkchucker on July 08, 2008, 10:40:04 AM

I dont know about the Mag being more reliable. Everyone I ever had just ate batteries and bulbs.

Old technology bad, new technology good.

I agree that Mag Solitaire is old tech and its performance is far surpassed by the more modern keychain lights.

However, in my experience the Mag Solitaire is also a very reliable little light.

I have several ancient Solitaires that have been carried for years on keychains and used on camping and canoeing trips in all kinds of weather.

They are dented and dinged and missing half their anodizing, but they all still work about as well as new. They will still get the job done, fulfilling their function as basic keychain lights, if necessary.

.

jzmtl · **Reply #24 on:** July 09, 2008, 07:25:24 AM

Why not a fenix e01, comes in different pretty colors even.

Rodion · **Reply #25 on:** July 10, 2008, 12:30:19 AM

Yeah, but no Victorinox.

I uncharacteristically decided to get both.

Did I mention I'm getting gifts for two women?

WhichDawg · **Reply #26 on:** July 10, 2008, 01:58:03 AM

one you must not like much!

gafftapegreenia · **Reply #27 on:** July 10, 2008, 05:05:54 AM

I was gonna say the Fenix e01! I just got one in black, and while it is a bit "blue", for $15, and standard batteries, its a great light!

max6166 · **Reply #28 on:** July 10, 2008, 06:03:22 AM

I am actually getting a Fenix E01 right now too. The E01 seems to be the light to beat in that size and price range right now.

Rodion · **Reply #29 on:** July 12, 2008, 02:33:48 AM

Quote from: WhichDawg on July 10, 2008, 01:58:03 AM

one you must not like much!

They're both evil. Regardless...

Solitaire takes prolific and cheap AAA batteries, the microlight does not. Solitaire can feasibly be used to inflict pain - the microlight cannot. Solitaire produces a spot, the microlight - not so much.

Inova obviously has significant advantages of its own, which is why I couldn't decide between the two. I'm sure I'll get feedback on both after prolonged EDC, so we'll go from there.

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Inova micro vs Solitaire

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