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Rechargeable Police Type Flashlights
Inova- T4 - Overall Score> 4.95 Stars- (Out of 5 Maximum) Highly Recommended- Best In Class (Optics)


Introduction to : Rechargeable Police Type Flashlights

The Rechargeable Police Type Flashlights sub-section of Personal Illumination Options is a collection of illumination products that span the vertical range of products that are typically used by security or police. The products on this page provide task and goal based solutions for a targeted end-user base of customers. As such, they represent a narrow scope of products that share a common feature of rechargeable batteries with the illumination source being either a Luxeon LED or an incandescent bulb.
The evaluation criteria for this special class are similar to the general flashlight evaluation criteria but with the addition of discussion aimed at rating output brightness, throw and run-time between charges- factors that may be of greater interest to professionals that depend on thier flashlights nightly or during duty rounds.
1)Vortex
XR-1
2)Vortex
TR3
3)Inova T4 4)Space Cannon vH Delux 5)LEDLenser LL7459 6)Vortex
CR-2
7)TigerLight GOLD 8)Streamlight Ultra-Stinger 9)Vortex
DR-2
10)MAG Instruments Rechargeable
 

Table1) Specifications

  Total
Length

Head
Width

Body
Width
Net
Weight
Bulb Type

MDOI
At Spot
Focus

Beam
Type
Beam Color Bulb
Replacement
Line Score
Brand / Model                    
                     
MAG         Custom 10W
Tungsten/Halogen
250' (4.5) Combination 3,400ēK 3
7.5
                   
Vortex
DR-2
        Standard 10W Tungsten /Halogen 190' (3.75) Combination 3,400ēK 3
6.75
                   
Ultra-Stinger         Custom 10W
Tungsten /Halogen
325' (5) Combination 3.400ēK 3
8
                   
TigerLight GOLD         Custom 10W
Tungsten/Halogen
200' (4) Combination 3.400ēK 3
7
                   
Vortex
CR-2
        Standard 6W Tungsten /Halogen 170' (3) Combination 3.400ēK 4
7
                   
LEDLenser LL7459         5W Luxeon LED (UR) 90' (2) Squared Spot 5,800ēK 900Hrs (4.5)
6.5
                   
Space Cannon vH Delux         5W Luxeon LED (R) 160' (3) Combination 5,700ēK 900Hrs (4.5)
7.5
                     
Inova T4         4W Luxeon LED (R) 195' (4) Spot 5,700ēK 10,000Hrs (5)
8
                   
Vortex
TR3
        3W Luxeon LED(R) 180' (3) Combination 5,700ēK 10,000Hrs (5)
8
                   
Vortex
XR-1
        Mini Bi-pin/Xenon 10' (1) Combination 3,200ēK 2
4
MAXIMUM POINTS  
10
 
KEY
DC>DC Boost Circuit
R Regulated
UR Un-regulated
MDOI Maximum Distance for Object Identification
 
1)Vortex
XR-1
2)Vortex
TR3
3)LEDLenser LL7459
4)Vortex
CR-2
5)TigerLight GOLD
6)Streamlight
Ultra-Stinger
7)Vortex
DR-2
8)MAG Instruments
6V Rechargeable
NOTE: Space Cannon vH Delux Battery is not accessible and is therefore not shown

Table 2)Ease of Use & Charging Details

  Switch
Accessibility

Switch
EOU

Focus

Stock
Battery Type

Charging
Status Indicators

Connection

12V
Adapter

Time to
Full Charge
Instructions Trickle or
Top-off
Charge
Line
Score
Brand / Model                      
                       
MAG 5 5 4.75 NiCad 6V(4) Yes (4) Cradle (5) Yes (5) 12Hrs Excellent (5) Trickle (4)
41.25
                     
Vortex
DR-2
5 4 4 NiCad 6V(4) Yes (4) Cradle/Direct
(5)
Yes (5) 12Hrs Fair (3.5) Trickle (4)
38.5
                     
Ultra-Stinger 4 5 5 NiCad 6V(4) Yes (4) Cradle (5) Yes (5) 10Hrs N/A Trickle (4)
37
                     
TigerLight GOLD 4 5 N/A (5) 7.5V NiMH (5) Yes (4) Cradle (5) Yes (5) 10Hrs Very Good (4.5) Trickle & Top-off (5)
42.5
                     
Vortex
CR-2
5 4 4 NiCad 6V (4) Yes (4) Cradle/Direct
(5)
Yes (5) 10Hrs Fair (3.5) Trickle (4)
38.5
                     
LED Lenser LL7459 3 4 N/A (5) NiMH 7.2V (5) Yes (5) Direct (4) No (4) 10Hrs N/A Trickle & Top-off (5)
35
                     
Space Cannon vH Delux 5 3.5 5 Li-Ion7.4V (5) Yes (5) Direct (4) Optional 6Hrs Excellent (5) Top-off (5)
37.5
                       
Inova T4 5 5 N/A5 Li-Ion 6V(5) Yes(5) Direct (5) Yes(5) 2.5Hrs Excellent(5) Top-off(5)
45
                     
Vortex
TR3
5 4.75 N/A
5
NiMH 6V (5) Yes (5) External
Charger (5)
Yes (5) 3 Hrs Very Good
(4.5)
Top-off (5)
44.25
                     
Vortex
XR-1
5 5 2 NiCad (4) Yes (4) Direct (4) Yes (5) 1 Hr Very Good
(4.5)
Trickle & Top-off (5)
38.5
MAXIMUM POINTS  
45
 
KEY
EOU = Ease Of Use

Description
The Inova T4 is a svelte member of the police, security and tactical light categories. Being significantly shorter, narrower in diameter and more compact than the average light in this class, it is more easily stowed and carried than longer and fatter flashlights. Unlike other Luxeon LED competitors however, the T4 uses a Luxeon V emitter That has been slightly under-driven to deliver 4W output. Thanks to a highly innovative and efficient optical photon management design, it focuses the full power of emitted light into a tight and narrow beam. A departure from the beaten path, the narrow beam produced by the T4 has found wide acceptance by professionals in many fields that enjoy it's intense beam and very compact form factor. Such a beam allows for both intense close-up scrutiny of subjects as well the ability to throw light at a distance of nearly 200'. This makes it popular as a tactical light to be used in conjunction with a fire-arm or non-lethal weapon. The most conspicuous feature of the T4 is the signature high quality of fabrication that has put Inova into an elite category shared by few contenders. There is nothing to fault in this area. Down to the tinniest details, it exudes top drawer manufacturing in a mass produced product. Also typical of this company is packaging that represents the best branding and retail packaging in the flashlight business bar none.
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Sales Source:http://www.inovalight.com/ http://www.flashlightsunlimited.com/
------------------
Specifications for:

  • Dimensions:L=8" , Head Dia=1.1"
  • Net weight:10.1oz
  • Colors: Black Hard Annnodized III
  • Composition: Body=100% T6 aluminum SS Bezel
  • Bulb type: LuxeonIV 4W Emitter
  • Average Bulb Life Expectancy:100,000 Hrs
  • Battery Type: 6V LiIon (1 included)
  • Charge Time:2.5 hrs for full charge
  • A/C, Input requirements:Input 110V/220V
  • DC, Input Requirements:12V
  • Run-time (duration) to 50% of Maximum Brightness: 2hrs
  • Accessories Included: Charge Cradle, Country specific A/C interface, AC adapter + 12V DC Adapter (Cig)
  • Optional modular A/C plugs available
  • Battery status and charging Indicator: Blue= Charging

------------------
Evaluation Results & Summaries


Ease of Use
Excellent. The user simply locates and depresses the unique rectangular On/Off switch button near the head to turn the light On and Off in a similar manner to popular and venerable Police lights. Focus is fixed at the point of maximum spot. Charging involves the insertion of the head in such a manner that the two gold plated contact points on the head are aligned with corresponding contacts on the charging cradle. When thus attached and plugged into to either a 12V source via the included adapter or when connected to an A/C power, the blue light on the cradle lights up.
5 points
------------------
Task performance optimization
Excellent. The T4 is a top contender in the LED subclass of Police/ Tactical / Security lights. It lacks superfluity and provides a very bright spot type beam of fair color for most tasks occurring at up to 190' feet away. Because it's compact, that means it's more like be stowed where the larger lights may not have enough space to live. We tested the T4 in typical tactical scenarios that included room clearing, vehicle inspection as well as the MDOI trial that attempts to measure how far away a black garbage may be positioned before a light cannot differentiate it from it's surroundings. In most case the T4 performed admirably. Unlike the more amber colored incandescent types, white LEDs tend to scatter airborne particles such as pollen, dust and water vapor. Such a shortcoming was easily remedied with the attachment of a (not included) amber/yellow filter to the front lens. The inclusion of a set of filters would make the T4 an even better package than it already is.
4.75 points
------------------
Documentation Quality
Excellent. The instruction booklet is regionalized (English- as evaluated) . It's written and illustrated in precise, concise and professionally laid out step-by-step sections that enhance optimal information absorption and that minimize mistakes. Typographic font size is ideal and diagramming is highly professional.The manual is mercifully brief, condensing the anatomy and key operational procedures for the T4 into simple. comprehensible and easy to review pages
5 points
------------------
Battery Charging (Ease, Frequency, Maintenance)
Excellent. Attaching the T4 to it's charging cradle is self-evident and though not totally 'foolproof' is certainly within the capability of anyone that might be deemed an operator of such a light. Switching from a 12V DC power source (automobile cigarette plug) to A/C power is as simple as disconnecting and reconnecting a well made coupler and mating it to its corresponding 'other half' on the selected cable. This detail alone is worth the price of admission as several competing products offer customers fingernail breaking type couplers to achieve the same result. Another detail worth mentioning is the quality of fabrication of these peripheral accessories. It's excellent. Of all the charging cradles reviewed for this project, the T4 cradle stands out as being built for harsh real-world use. Just handling it inspires confidence that it will not break upon casual impact with a tile floor or if accidentally caught in a car door.
Once the light has been inserted into the cradle, a bright blue LED light illuminates- signaling that charging is taking place. Once charging is complete,the light turns off. Charging takes 2.5 hrs from a fully depleted battery but in practice, all that is needed in most cases is a top-off charge after each use, Since Lithium Ion batteries do not have the same 'memory' issues associated with NiCads or the daily loss of energy associated with NiMH type cells, a fully charged T4 battery should hold most of its charge in storage and does not need to be 'dumped' and fully recharged to protect the battery.
5 points
------------------
Balance, Grip-ability, Stow-ability, Tabletop Stand-ability

Good. The T4 handles well in most hands and especially well in small hands. The obvious shortness in length coupled with the narrow girth, makes it a viable tactical light in applications that employ the Surefire/Rogers or Harries hold positions. The light stows quickly and deploys quite quickly from pockets or holsters. It's an ideal candidate for stowage where larger lights simply will not fit such as : Automobile door pockets, glove boxes, tool boxes,tactical bags, tactical vests and so on. Unfortunately- though exquisite to behold, the Teflon like anodizing is quite slippery if grasped with wet or oily hands.
4 points

------------------
Items of Note:
Exquisite presentation packaging and excellent manufacturer's warranty.
5 points



ABOVE- Retail Presentation Box


ABOVE, Left-charge cable coupling connector
|Center & Right - Modular Interchangeable A/C Interface

ABOVE:
12DC Adapter to> Cable connector

ABOVE, Battery charging
station

ABOVE,
Rechargeable Lithium Ion battery



ABOVE- Left. Head Detail Note: Stainless Steel bezel | Right,Tailpiece Note: Flat tail end


ABOVE,Left-Full-frontal view of head | Right,Direct Beam Shot at fixed spot focus (DBS)

Stars Rating Key

Rating - 5.0 Stars = Highly Recommended - Best In Class
Rating - 4.5-4.75 Stars = Highly Recommended
Rating -3.5-4 Stars = Guarded Recommendation
Rating -2.5-3.0 Stars = Marginally Recommended

Disclaimer Notice- Inova and T4 are trademarks of Emissive Energy Corp. All other trademarks and brand names are the properties of thier respective owners. Use of company trademarks and brand names by us for the purpose of description is not an endorsement by either the trademark holders or by Imägo Metrics LLC.
 
 
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