Preface
The Olight i5UV EOS is the UV version of the original Olight I5T EOS model.
This new model is part of the I Series (keychain), that runs on a single AA battery.
Let’s check out the merits and demerits of this Olight i5UV EOS model.
Special Note:
- Although this UV model uses a 1.5W 356nm wavelength LED (UV-A blacklight) only, due diligence/care is required when operating this flashlight such as below:
- Avoid shining the UV beam directly at anyone’s eyes or skin. Generally, it is best to keep it out of the reach of children.
- When shining the UV beam on reflective surfaces (e.g. mirror), it is recommended to wear suitable UV protection eyewear for UV-A exposure. In most cases, sunglasses with UV protection will have sufficient UV-A exposure protection.
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- The threads and o-rings were well lubricated. Threads were smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- The tail switch can be easily accessed to activate the light and require a rather firm force to activate.
- Clip is not reversible. However, the dual-direction pocket clip enables for bezel up/down carries & allows for attachment of the light to a cap for hands-free usage.
- The pocket clip has sufficient tension to ensure that the light will stay clipped to any material to prevent the light from falling out.
- Unique splash-dyed (magenta) on blue anodizing is eye-catching and looks great in-person. As the splash-dyed effect is random, ever flashlight has its own set of unique splash-dyed effect.
- No holster and/or lanyard is provided. However, there is a lanyard attachment point on the pocket clip if required.
- Battery compartment holds Sanyo/Panasonic Eneloops, GP ReCyKo+, Energiser Ultimate Lithium (L91) and (Energiser and Duracell) alkaline batteries without any fitment issues.
- Scanning the QR code with your phone/tablet on the box’s side would bring up the Olight i5 UV EOS’s product page.
Notes:
- Before using the flashlight for the first time, remove the yellow insulating film from the battery’s terminal first (unscrew tailcap first).
- Battery is installed with the Positive end facing the head of flashlight.
Front:
Back:
Sides:
Top:
Box Contents:
Remove Insulation Film:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Blue Aluminium and splash-dyed (Magneta)
- LED: 365nm Wavelength @ 1.5W (1500mW)
- Battery Format: 1 x AA (1.2V NiMH rechargeable/1.5V lithium primary batteries/1.5V alkaline [not recommended]) ONLY
- Output & Runtime (with included 1 x AA Alkaline battery):
- High – (1.5W/ 45min)
- Waterproofness: IPX-8 Standard
- Impact Resistance: 1.5m
- Dimension: 95mm (length) x 17.8mm (diameter)
- Weight: 63g (including battery)
- Battery reverse polarity protection
- Accessories Included:
- 1*Nuo Xing AA 1.5V Alkaline Battery
- 1*Dual-direction (2 Way) Clip
- MSRP: ~$33
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is perfect for Every Day Carry (EDC) as it is extremely simple and straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the tail mechanical switch on the light, so momentary activation is possible.
Normal Operation
From OFF:
- 1/2 Press – Direct access to MOMENTARY HIGH; depress switch entirely (1 Click) to get HIGH.
- 1 Click – Direct access to HIGH.
From ON:
- 1 Click – Light will switch OFF.
Note: This UV flashlight works best in a dark room with no ambient lighting. If there are ambient lighting, the UV flashlight may be required to use at a very close distance, in order to work as intended.
Form Factor
For flashlights that are intended to use on a daily basis (EDC) and for possibly a slightly longer period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This light feels well balanced (not head/tail-heavy) and will almost disappear entirely in a clenched medium sized hand. Switching between overhand and underhand holding method is easy with its form factor.
As with the Olight I5T EOS, Olight utilises the “double helix” knurling. This knurling on the light enables the light to be sufficiently “grippy”, even with wet hands/gloves. However, Olight decided to make all i5 UV EOS models unique by adding random splash-dyed (Magneta) on blue anodizing. This effectively sets this flashlight apart from other regular white-type flashlights from Olight and other brands too, and thus help others to easily identify it as a UV flashlight.
It has a protruding tail switch, which unfortunately takes away the ability to tail-stand, but helps in being able to thumb-activate the light from any angle effortlessly.
With the included clip, a portion of the i5 UV EOS would be protruding out from one’s pocket but will enable the user to “quick deploy/draw” from said pocket.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the relatively shallow Orange Peel (OP) reflector. With the LED used, the beam is still somewhat “throwy” for recognizing items in the up-close to near range distance.
The above beam profile is a rough interpretation of what is seen when white wall hunting. The beam has a circular spill with a circular hotspot and the corona blending slightly with the spill. It also helps that the LED is perfectly centred in this sample. There is a slight ring in the beam when whitewall hunting but not visible in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (HIGH: 2.5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB).
Some pictures have been adjusted slightly to depict as close as to what is seen in real life. The distance of the light from the door is 4.6m.
Control shot:
HIGH (1.5W):
Mode (Output) Spacing
Mode spacing appears to be progressively brighter to the eye and the modes are well spaced enough to be able to know which mode one is currently in. With that in mind, TLR tend to view mode spacing as battery life indicators (amount of runtime left) rather than the specific output (lumens).
As this is a single mode UV flashlight, there is nothing to comment on Mode/Output Spacing.
However, it would be nice if Olight had chosen a slightly lower HIGH mode as operating the UV LED at 1.5W will cause the flashlight to be rather warm during slightly extended usage periods.
Tint & CRI
UV LEDs are poor in CRI as it is often used for other forms of identification purposes. The wavelength is said to be 365nm and is thus categorized as a “UV-A” light.
The LED used will cause the following items to fluoresce:
- Currency Notes
- Body Fluids
- Dust/Lint
- Fungus
It will charge up Glow In The Dark (GITD) material (e.g. Watch Lume) rather quickly as well.
There is no tint shifts in the beam profile.
Note: Avoid staring at the UV LED when it is switched ON.
Waterproofness
The light was subjected to warm water submersion, followed by cold water submersion and left under room temperature running water tap whilst running on HIGH.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, switch or body was seen.
Lockout Capability
Both electronic lockout and mechanical lockout are not available when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
Especially since it is a UV light, we strongly recommend removing the battery from the flashlight for transportation in a bag or in your Bug-Out Bag (BOB).
Scale Comparison (Ruler)
Summary
To sum up, we believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same light for our own usage or to gift to our loved ones out from one’s pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this light, it is a definite YES, if a single mode UV flashlight running on a single AA battery is required for your usage.
The extremely straightforward single mode UI, usage of a 365nm UV LED, good beam profile for up-close usage beam profile, unique splash-dyed (magenta) on blue anodising, ease of finding replacement AA batteries and dual-direction (2 Way) clip for bezel up or down carry and minimal price premium over the original Olight I5T EOS are all plus points for this flashlight.
However, the lack of the mechanical and electronic lockout might be seen as a disadvantage for some. As mentioned earlier, when carrying/transporting it in an enclosed area such as a bag, we definitely recommend removing the battery from the flashlight.
Here is a bonus size comparison with some of the other similar-sized flashlights we reviewed previously.
From Left to Right: Olight Perun Mini, Foursevens Mini Turbo MKIII, Olight S1R Baton II, Olight i3T EOS, Olight i5T EOS, Olight i5UV EOS, Streamlight ProTac 90 and Fenix LD12 2017 NW.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light & battery were provided for by Olight for this review. No other compensation was provided.
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Olight I5UV EOS
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