[WTB] 18650 365nm UV pocket light for field use.  USA

slmjim · 2019-10-06T15:48:58.000Z

May be a unicorn, but I gotta ask before considering downgrades.
365 nm broad/flood beam for field use, mostly outdoor/daylight checking paper currency.
1x 18650.
L/H/OFF or H/L/OFF, doesn't matter.
Prefer a tail clicky.
Filter included. Brightest possible fluorescent (green? yellow?) bezel O ring a must to be able to ascertain if emitter is energized while in daylight.

S2 or similar form factor w/clip to be securely & easily pocketable. Reversible for hands-free cap use a plus.
It might have to run continuously for up to ten minutes, so heat management might be a consideration, ambient temp up to 90deg. F.
Commercial suggestions welcome or, I'd happily entertain purchasing a quality light correctly built or modded by a knowledgeable & trusted BLF member. No rush to deliver if built; not needed until spring 2020. PM if interested.
CONUS preferred. Budget </= $50.00 via PP or USPS MO.

slmjim

[EDIT] Added country

Lexel · 2019-10-06T19:18:40.000Z

Very good emitters don’t need that filter for use like Checking paper currency the used colors are very fluorescent
Nichia or SST-10 for example
there is still some faint purple glow visible

Other lights produce noticeable white waste light and need a filter

Possible you can buy directly a S2 from Simons Convoy Shop with a 3x 7135 driver with modes and the LG UV LED with filter

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/32873025585.html
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/32734523412.html

ask for a combined price with the 3 mode driver installed and 15% BLF coupon

slmjim · 2019-10-08T14:52:16.000Z

Lexel:

Very good emitters don’t need that filter for use like Checking paper currency the used colors are very fluorescent Nichia or SST-10 for example there is still some faint purple glow visible Other lights produce noticeable white waste light and need a filter Possible you can buy directly a S2 from Simons Convoy Shop with a 3x 7135 driver with modes and the LG UV LED with filter 13.8€ 29% OFF|Convoy S2 UV 365nm taschenlampe, UV 365nm LED ,7135*3 einzel modus, zwb2 filter installiert, UVA 18650 Uv taschenlampe, taschenlampe|Taschenlampen| - AliExpress Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com ask for a combined price with the 3 mode driver installed and 15% BLF coupon

Thanks for the response Lexel.

Unless I'm missing something, it looks like that light won't ship to the US. The only UV light that will ship here is this one.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32515105965.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.1.6f0a6d6cwdBqdU

You mentioned that the Nichia emitter didn't need the filter, which apparently is the stumbling block on the light you recommended. Unless there's some reason to defer, I'll order the Nichia light in the next few days.

slmjim

Lexel · 2019-10-08T15:33:13.000Z

The LG is still more powerful and less visible light with filter
It can use a DTP MCPCB where the Nichia always struggled to lose the heat

I am sure Simon ships to the USA, just message his shop

ggf31416 · 2019-10-08T15:36:44.000Z

Using a filter to block visible light and a fluorescent O ring to generate visible light at the same time is somewhat contradictory. The Nichia version is less floody than the LG, but it will suffice for currency checking.

Check this article

If you need an LG led with modes the LightFE UV302 should work.

Or maybe some member could buy or build you an LG version with a Biscotti driver and ship it to you.

Lexel · 2019-10-08T15:45:44.000Z

ggf31416:

Using a filter to block visible light and a fluorescent O ring to generate visible light at the same time is somewhat contradictory. The Nichia version is less floody than the LG, but it will suffice for currency checking.

Check this article

If you need an LG led with modes the LightFE UV302 should work.

Or maybe some member could buy or build you an LG version with a Biscotti driver and ship it to you.

Simon who runs Convoy Shop will build you a factory Biscotti 3x7135 UV as you wish

ggf31416 · 2019-10-08T15:49:30.000Z

Lexel:

The LG is still more powerful and less visible light with filter
It can use a DTP MCPCB where the Nichia always struggled to lose the heat

I am sure Simon ships to the USA, just message his shop

The issue is that there is a patent in the US for using a visible light filter inside a flashlight (the patent office somehow believed that was a novel and not obvious idea), and AFAIK Simon sells UV flashlights to one of the patent holder’s partners, so there is at least a conflict of interest and maybe a legal issue in shipping filtered flashlights to the US.

Maybe he could make an exception this time.

Lightbringer · 2019-10-08T15:48:15.000Z

And keep in mind those UVLEDs don’t like overcurrent terribly much. Even the 3×7135 is overdriving the beastie somewhat. Forget about 4 or 8.

Lexel · 2019-10-08T15:52:57.000Z

ggf31416:

Lexel:

The LG is still more powerful and less visible light with filter
It can use a DTP MCPCB where the Nichia always struggled to lose the heat

I am sure Simon ships to the USA, just message his shop

The issue is that there is a patent in the US for using a visible light filter inside a flashlight (the patent office somehow believed that was a novel and not obvious idea), and AFAIK Simon sells UV flashlights to one of the patent holder’s partners, so there is at least a conflict of interest and maybe a legal issue in shipping filtered flashlights to the US.

Maybe he could make an exception this time.

There won’t be a patent who prohibits ship an LG LED light with normal lens and a filter extra

slmjim · 2019-10-09T12:30:26.000Z

ggf31416:

Using a filter to block visible light and a fluorescent O ring to generate visible light at the same time is somewhat contradictory. The Nichia version is less floody than the LG, but it will suffice for currency checking. Check “this article”:https://www.naturesrainbows.com/single-post/2015/04/16/Buyers-Guide-to-the-new-365-nm-LED-UV-flashlights If you need an LG led with modes the “LightFE UV302”:Amazon.com should work. Or maybe some member could buy or build you an LG version with a Biscotti driver and ship it to you.

Hmmm, hadn't thought of that. Just looking for an easy way to ascertain if the emitter is energized while using the light in daylight or in shadowed direct sunlight. I don't anticipate this light ever being exposed to water, so was thinking that if a fluorescent O-ring was outside the filter (between the bezel & filter, not internal under the filter) that the O-ring would give an indication of OFF/ON at a glance.

I followed Lexel's lead & messaged Simon to ask if I could purchase the light Lexel suggested either with the filtes uninstalled but "extra" or, without filter. I'll update with his response.

slmjim

Lightbringer · 2019-10-09T14:31:20.000Z

slmjim:

I don’t anticipate this light ever being exposed to water, so was thinking that if a fluorescent O-ring was outside the filter (between the bezel & filter, not internal under the filter) that the O-ring would give an indication of OFF/ON at a glance.

Hm? That’s where S2+es have the O-ring. Very thin, so it usually sticks to the inside rim of the bezel, and is designed to keep water out from the light altogether.

An O-ring underneath the glass would just have the nekkid glass pressing against the bezel and letting water seep in, maybe just not getting inside the reflector, at least not until the head’s filled with water and it seeps in between pcb and reflector.

Lexel · 2019-10-09T14:48:05.000Z

slmjim:

ggf31416:

Using a filter to block visible light and a fluorescent O ring to generate visible light at the same time is somewhat contradictory. The Nichia version is less floody than the LG, but it will suffice for currency checking. Check this article If you need an LG led with modes the LightFE UV302 should work. Or maybe some member could buy or build you an LG version with a Biscotti driver and ship it to you.

Hmmm, hadn’t thought of that. Just looking for an easy way to ascertain if the emitter is energized while using the light in daylight or in shadowed direct sunlight. I don’t anticipate this light ever being exposed to water, so was thinking that if a fluorescent O-ring was outside the filter (between the bezel & filter, not internal under the filter) that the O-ring would give an indication of OFF/ON at a glance.

I followed Lexel’s lead & messaged Simon to ask if I could purchase the light Lexel suggested either with the filtes uninstalled but “extra” or, without filter. I’ll update with his response.

slmjim

I simply replaced the o-ring with a black I had from another light
You may use illuminated tail switch to show if light is on or off

slmjim · 2019-10-12T13:05:03.000Z

Thanks for the responses everyone!

I've been in PM conversation with Simon re: purchasing the Convoy S2 UV 365nm flashlight ,LG UV 365nm LED inside,7135*3 one 100% mode,zwb2 filter installed:

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/32873025585.html

Simon indicates that particular light in fact cannot be shipped to the U.S. due to the filter patent restrictions mentioned above. He encouraged me to instead order the S2+ Nichia version:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32515105965.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.12.12046d6crL5uYZ

My admittedly very limited knowledge of UV LEDs & reading various tests of UV emitters here on BLF have led me to conclude me that the more modern LG UV emitter is functionally superior to the older Nichia emitter, i.e. more efficient, less visible light spill, better heat management, etc.

Reason I posted the question in the OP was to hopefully not make a mistake in ordering & ending up with a light that performed poorly, was unreliable etc.

Simon has graciously agreed to build for me a Convoy S2 UV 365nm flashlight ,LG UV 365nm LED inside,7135*3 one 100% mode without filter, at an attractive price. If I understand correctly, the filter really isn't critical anyway when the LG UV emitter is used, as stray visible light is minimal with the LG UV emitter. I requested that the head of the light Simon agreed to build not be glued, allowing me to source & install my own filter if I found it necessary.

If anyone has any advice pro or con re: this LG UV build without filter, please let me know.

I truly appreciate everyone's help. Thank You!

slmjim

ggf31416 · 2019-10-12T15:58:34.000Z

The LG has more stray light without a filter than the Nichia, but you can easily buy a 20.5mm AFAIK ZWB2 filter on your own at Banggood or eBay. You just need a tweezer or similar tool to unscrew the pill and install it.

If you don’t really need modes you could just have bought it from Fasttech or Banggood, they don’t seem to have issues shipping it to the US. Most likely they have a larger legal team than Simon.

Lexel · 2019-10-12T15:19:25.000Z

I had the version before that particular new LG UV LED Generation and it had quite visible white waste light, not dramatically but I had ordered a ZWB2 filter anyways and that makes it better than the Nichia, also still more UV total output, a bit wider beam
There is a reason he sells wit with filter, the contrast of the fluorescent light is far better

slmjim · 2019-10-16T15:11:27.000Z

Simon has indicated that, due to patent restrictions, he cannot include any ZWB2 filters even as additional uninstalled items when ordering the Convoy S2 UV 365nm flashlight ,LG UV 365nm LED inside,7135*3 one 100% mode without filter from the AE Convoy shop.

So, I'll be ordering it without filter. That brings up two questions:

1) Where to best source quality filters that will fit without trimming? I've read that they are somewhat delicate, and would like to purchase at least two that would require no trimming; one to place into immediate service and one as spare.

2) I've asked that the light's head components not be glued to make installing the filter as drama-free as possible. I'm assuming the filter-less light will arrive with a plain clear lens. Is there any reason not to retain the clear lens, and place the filter either under the lens closest to the emitter but protected from the outside environment, or on top of the lens?

Thanks everyone! You've been most helpful.

slmjim