Quality UV Torch for counterfeit detection

Dear Experts

I am after quality UV torch (flashlight) for counterfeit detection,,,this is what i found through my google search:

https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-uv-flashlights

Can I relay on the link above for the quality one ?

Please be aware I am not after those kinds below :

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/best-counterfeit-money-detectors-4160584

Thanks

Off that list the only 2 worth anything are the jaxman and the nitecore.

Your best option would be a Convoy S2+ with the filter @ about $25 shipped.

So some guy named Quincy Miller spent 46 hours (his claim) researching UV lights in 2018, and did not come up with the Convoy S2+ 365nm UV with ZWB2 filter?, what is renowned worldwide as the best UV led flashlight for an absolute budget price. That makes his complete top 10 unreliable garbage (I bet he did not buy one of them).

Agree with the above; but in addition if you need to use a standard AA battery:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BC8L581/

There are 2 Convoy UV models, the S2+ UV which uses a Nichia led and doesn’t include the UV filter and the newer S2 UV without + which uses a LG led and includes the UV filter as the LG led creates more visible light. The S2 model has higher output and it’s floodier while the S2+ has a higher intensity.

Because the US patent office granted a patent to somebody for UV flashlights with a filter which shouldn’t have ever been granted (as it isn’t a novel idea) , the S2 UV without the + cannot be shipped to the US. However if you are in the US you can still buy the S2+ version and buy the ZWB2 filter yourself.

Edit: I don’t support such patent abuse (I don’t live in the US anyway) but here is the link to a commercial site explaining the situation
http ://www.fluorescents.com/products-uv-flashlights.html

The site sells the S2 version for higher than the original price (2x18650 and a charger are included to be fair but that doesn’t make up for the price difference). Perhaps some of the price difference would go to Simon (Convoy’s owner), but I guess most of it would go to the site and to the patent owner.

Edit 2: This thread has more information

I hate patent fascism…

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/50830 has a list of UV flashlights posted last April. However as everyone has said, the Convoy or Jaxman are probably the best budget lights.

Thanks for your help guys

Although I need to do some reading about filter ,,,,,do I need it when testing a bill ?

Regards

Yes you do, see 2mm ZWB2 filter tested (visible light blocking filter suitable for 365nm UV flashlights)
It is a more than 4 years old test, the variety of UV leds have improved a lot since, and ZWB2 filters have become a lot cheaper. But it shows well what a visible light blocking filter can do.

Noted

Thanks for that

I have used my Acebeam for that purpose. It has UV, Red and regular white. Runs on 2 AAA batteries of any type (including 10440s). The red will light a room. Advertised as keychain but a bit large for that. Incredible output for a smallish light

How does the Jaxman U1 compare to Convoy S2+ 365nm Nichia with ZWB2 filter?

How about Harbor Freight Tools ?

Cheap though?

https://www.harborfreight.com/uv-blacklight-flashlight-63931.html

Does it have to be an EDC size or would something in the vicinity of a C8 size work. The reason I ask is, the Fitorch MR35 has a white, + a UV LED and three other color LEDs as well. It’s really a nice light and has very cool features like dual switches plus on-board charging!
I have one and really like it. In normal white light mode it is 1200 lumen.

Most paper money today is designed with characteristics that can be checked by 365nm UV-light.
Not that they happen to be visible at 365nm. No, they are designed that way.
Even the best 365nm emitters are not perfect: they also emit more or less visible light.
That’s why you need a ZWB2 filter, that blocks (almost) all emission of light other than 365nm.
Without having seen the Fitorch MR35 I very much doubt if this has a 365nm emitter or a filter.
One review says something about “let the experts decide the wavelenght of the UV”.
Another review says that Fitorch admitted that the green emitter is directly lit by the UV emitter.
And that the UV emission may have a greenish shade.

A member on TLF started his review by emerging the light in water, which also ended his review.

So I would not recommend it, without ever having seen it. Not for paper money.

One of the first things I did when testing my light was get out a $20 bill. There are two features you can distinctly (glowingly) see with the UV light mode. I believe this is plenty to recognize counterfeits or genuine bills.
I am not doubting you knowledge of UV but I think the light would be practical for many other purposes as well.

I’ve done same homework, and in my opinion, the best bang for a buck is Convoy S2 from Aliexpress:

Convoy S2 UV 365nm => Aliexpress
Led: LG UV 365nm
Driver: 7135*3

Is far more superior over the more popular S2+ from GB:

Convoy S2+ 365nm => Gearbest
Led: Nichia 365UV
driver: 7135*2

Vis

Convoy S2 LG UV with filter:

Convoy S2+ Nichia UV without filter:

Thanks guys for helping and sharing

Adhara it seems to me you have shop and all your recipients are happy with this small beast ?

Nice to hear that