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.
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.
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
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’m not familiair with dollar bills. The EU consist of 28 countries, in 19 countries the EURO is legal currency. Plus in Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City. Because all countries print their own money, there are 19 different sets of EURO bills.
They share however the same anti counterfeit characteristics. Some have to light up in a distinctive colour when lit with 365nm UV. Besides 365nm UV features there are features for short-waved UV-C and IR.
That we, the people, know of.
I have the Customlites P60 365nm UV drop-in. It’s the three level with smoothe finish. I’ve got it in a Solarforce host and put a 365 filter on it. A little pricey but it is high quality and hasn’t failed me yet. Can’t hardly see any light out of it. You have to use CR123’s and not 18650 though. Don’t know why really,probably because of voltage?