[Review] iNova x03 - 143l [pics added]

iNova x03 - 143l model

Reviewer's Overall Rating:

Summary:

Battery: 2x rc123a
Switch: twisty momentary
Modes: off / momentary / on
LED Type: Unknown
Lens: Glass
Tailstands: No
Price Payed: $48 usd
From: Target
Date Ordered:

Pros:

  • Good mix between flood and throw
  • Durable
  • Nice anodized finish
  • Waterproof: IPX7
  • 4 hours run time

Cons:

  • Pricey for 143l
  • Prefer clickie switch (preference really, not con)

Features / Value:

This light does not have any fancy output modes, or crazy high output. But it is regulated output, great mix between flood and throw. Anodize finish, glass lens, IPX7 waterproofing and lasts a good time between battery changes. 3 way switch: tighten all the way for on - back off quarter turn for momentary - back off a turn and half for lock out. Loop for lanyard in talcap.

A star deducted for lack of features, but the value is there

Design / Build Quality:

Clean lines. Nice anodizing. SS bezel. Its a beautiful light. Appears the head and body are one piece. Machined out of aluminium. Nice knurliung on tail cap. This light has been in my car for almost a year. Its been in rain and snow. Its been dropped on pavement with only 2 very small nicks in the anodizing on the tail cap. The threads are very clean and smooth feeling. Very tight tolerances. The batteries slide in tight and smooth, almost a perfect fit with very little rattle shaking it.

Nothing to deduct for the design or build quality

Battery Life:

The battery life of this light is 4+ hours. I dont do straight out run times, but I only have to change my batteries every few months with it. This is my everyday car light BTW

Light Output:

Light output is where this thing lacks. It is decent, and plenty good for everyday use. But 143l for $50 is a little high. The beam is clean, giving good throw, with a very nice blend into flood. there are no artifacts in the beam.

Points deducted for low output in price range

Summary:

Overall, I give this light 4 star average. For price, quality, and output. The light is very good quality, very good machining, very good beam, and very good runtime. But it is lacking in the output for the price range

Bottom line:

Id say that this light is worth the money if its what you want. It is a very well made, durable light. It also has a very good beam for every day use. I have used it working on my car countless times, camping, walking dogs, working around the yard. It does lack some options, but its lifetime warranty, and built to last. If I did not already have this light, I would deffanatly get the new model with 2 modes and higher output

iNova x03 [mouse over for Duracell Daylight 2x123 on flood]

I cant seem to get good beam shots of this outside. Ill fiddle with the camera settings and try to figure it out

Thanks for the review. I just have to ask (anyone) is there any meaning to the phrase "digitally regulated" when you see if in regards to a flashlight? Whatever regulation (if any) is analogue isn't it? So does that phrase really refer to anything?

Thanks.

you know, im not really sure on this... im going by what ive read and found on it. i have seen some charts of output on a timeline showing regulation. ill take out the digital, as im not really sure.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/inova_xo3.htm for one - i dont think that is the exact light, i think it is an older gen x03...

I see it all the time so it's not just your light (and I could be wrong of course) but I don't think there's anything digital about the regulation in regulated lights. Not to hijack your review :)

its fine, criticism is good. keeps people from misleading

something to add....

one thing i dont like is they keep changing specs, but leave the model the same. it opens up a whole door for misleading resale i believe. even if they did it like x03a, x03b, x03c... i believe the current listed on the website is a third gen x03. i know there are atleast 2 more before it. the one i have is the one before the current, i believe 2nd gen - 143 lumen

Thanks for the nice review. The host screams of quality and handsome clean lines. Which led does yours have? Keep your eye on Target if you live close to one. They are famous for slashing prices on many high-end flashlights 50% or more at least a few times a year. Price reductions are at local stores and unfortunately not at the national level.

I noticed you're from Maine. Are you in a city or out in the country? One of my most memorable flashlight experiences was while I was camping in Acadia during a moonless night. I climbed Cadillac Mountain to watch the sunrise.

i live about 15 miles east of augusta in windsor. id say its more country, not at all city. also love acadia. its about an hour and a half away. i try to go a few times a year, but funds didnt allow it this year.

im not sure which emitter this one has. info on it is scarce. i had emailed Nite-Ize asking for specs on the led, lens and a few other things, i will add it in to the review when they reply, and post that that info is updated.

from what i have read, the only way to mod these is to "freezer pop" them, and i like it too much to try that. really, for what i use this for, i wouldnt change anything.

im also going to get more pics of it, but need to practice some. they all had bad glare, and outdoor beam shots were no good. its my GFs camera, and its a good one, im just not real big on pics so i gotta practice