Hey everyone I would like to add a UV light to my collection. I don’t know much about them I do know I want one that atleast includes a 365 wavelength. I also would like it to be from large to huge. Anyone have some suggestions. Thanks Jim
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I did this a while ago. I was just lucky i used ~400nm wavelength because 365 would’ve caused issues (apparently). So whatever your host is make sure to use a reflector not optics.
Yeah I’m buying a light already put together any ideas which one I should purchase
As with most light questions on this forum it depends on what you want. Do you want throw ? Will you use it around water (squid fishing) ? Use for rocks and minerals ? Or forensics / hunting blood trails…?
Actually I could use it for all of the above.except squid fishing
Yes a want throw im thinking 2 different lights.
So a multi emitter power house and a large reflector thrower….
For the power house I would recommend something with decent size head / cooling fins and thermal regulation. Reason for that is UV ‘appears’ dim to the eyes so you’ll likely be running it at max most of the time. Maybe a sofirn q8…?? (I’ve never owned one) What’s your budget?
For the thrower just get a C8. You might even find a UV C8 in stock somewhere.
If you’re looking for fluroescence (as opposed to just using the light to charge up glow in the dark, or cure UV adhesive), you must get a light with a filter that blocks the blue/grey coloured visible light these LED’s put out, these are quite commonly available if you search for “ZWB Filter”.
For simplicity, I’d reccomend a UV Convoy S2+ with ZWB filter- even single emitter UV flashlights put out plenty of UV nowadays.
As others have mentioned, the plastic optics used in multi-emitter lights absorbs UV.
I don’t have the funds, but a mule Emisar D4V2 with 365nm emitters, plus filter glass would be high output and very floody. Not sure if intloutdoor could make you one or you’d have to buy the light, a new MPCB and LEDs yourself…
Best for output and throw would be one of the C8 style lights with triple reflector, ie Sofirn C8F.
By way of practical experience, I’m a geologist with a hobby interest in fluroescent minerals, my kit is a 365nm UV S2+ (with filter) for the longwave, and a UVSystems SuperBright 3, for shortwave UV (254nm).
Thanks for the info it is a big help.
No problem! The Convoy S2+ UV Lights come in a couple of different emitter options, I bought mine years ago so can’t remember which specific LED is in it, there are better LEDs on the market now though.
I’d also recommend some plastic safety glasses, I know people will weigh in and say “365nm is safe” but if you’re in a dark place with low levels of visible light, your pupils will open up to let as much of that UV in as possible…
I get gritty feeling eyes if I don’t wear specs.
Best way to test glasses is to put something that fluoreseces behind the glasses and see if the UV light makes it glow. If you see no glow = UV is blocked = good.
Does anyone have any experience with the latest uvbeast or lumenshooter 365nm.Im looking for a 365nm light. I would like to use it for finding glowing rocks and to make things glow among other things. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated . Jim
I’ve been doing a lot of research on UV lights due to a recent interest in fluorescent minerals and wanting to find glowing rocks. Gravelmonkey covered it very well. I do not have experience with the uvbeast or lumenshooter. The Convoy S2+ and Convoy C8 definitely get the most recommendations for this type of flashlight. Being properly filtered is the most important. I purchased a Convoy S2+. I am very happy with it so far. Erik
Welcome to BLF 
I highly recommend a Convoy S2+ with the LG diode. You may need to get the ZWB2 filter separately, but make sure you get that too, as others have mentioned. If you have pets, or go to someone’s house that has pets, you may lose your lunch… 
Yeah. Remember that old kindergart joke? Hey Johnny, whose footprint is that on the ceiling? Well, with a UV-light you will see things you never expected on places you thought were impossible.
AND: always wear protection. Please don’t shine in the eyes of others (or animals).
Always be ware of reflections from windows, mirrors and smooth kitchen and bathroom tiles.
A little late, but anyone have opnion about this:
https://lumencraft.com/led-upgrades-for-maglite/154-uv-365nm-with-sw2b-filter-for-3-6-d-cell-maglite-yooperlites-mineral-huntng-flashlight.html
No idea what the specs are, other than wavelength. Filter is good.
If you’ve a host maglite you want to upgrade to UV, I’d say go for it.
If youre starting from scratch, a convoy S2 or S12 would be -better- cheaper.
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A UV maglite drop in from lumencraft.
If for some reason you really want to upgrade a 3-6 D-cell maglite, sure, it’s expensive tho.
If you just want a good uv light, a Convoy offering like the S12 would be cheaper, smaller, and more powerful. I say get a dedicated UV light from Convoy.
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