LUMENSHOOTER S5 UV Flashlight, Black Light Flashlight with 5 LEDs, for UV Resin Curing, Rockhounding, Pet Urine Detecting, Scorpion Hunting (365NM)

When I was a kid, I learned the joys of rockhounding and scorpion hunting using portable, battery-powered fluorescent black lights. They were the best tool for the job at the time, since the only other options were incandescent flashlights with Wood's glass (UV bandpass filters), which just plain don't work, since incandescent lights produce almost no UV radiation even to pass through the filter. Fast forward <mumbles> years, and I recently ordered this Lumenshooter S5 flashlight after reading reviews, watching comparison videos, and otherwise researching the best bang-for-the-buck UV torches. Some of the reviews here on Amazon for 365nm LED flashlights state that they give off too much visible light. Either the reviewers are able to see UV light better than most, or what they're seeing is fluorescence. Because, let me tell ya, this thing puts out a LOT of light, but almost none of it is visible. If you look directly at it (which I don't recommend doing, at least not without glasses that block UV light), it looks like three very dim purple LEDs. However, you'll also immediately feel the heat on your face from it, which is much more likely the interaction of the UV light with your physiology than actual radiant heat. However, since it's longer-wave UVA, it's not likely to cause any real harm in short bursts. When I point it at ceramic tiles in a pitch-dark room, the tiles themselves stay very dark, almost black, while grout between the tiles and any substances on the surface of the tiles glow very brightly. This means almost all of the light coming from the flashlight is fully in the invisible UV spectrum. Even fluorescent black lights give off more visible light than this torch. I've been able to see things fluoresce that I never have before, things I didn't even think could. This might be why some folks thing it gives off a lot of visible light. It's strange to see so many things glow so brightly when not even fluorescent black lights have made them light up like that. So far, I haven’t found any drawbacks to this device. It seems well designed and constructed, and while I can’t yet speak to its overall longevity, as long as the LEDs don’t burn out prematurely (and I’ll update this review if any of them do), I’d say it’s well worth the price. Get one, and have fun discovering just how gross your environment really is. Then, you can feel even more grateful for immune systems.

This torch is not messing about. I was surprised by the throw on this thing. Sturdy, well made and I highly recommend it. I was looking for cat urine, maybe some insects. Instead I found the whole array of bio matter in my house, took it hiking at night, and that lit up a whole new world too.

Why did you pick this product vs others?: This light works really well and better than most in rooms you can’t get dark(it won’t work in full sunlight). I’ve spent much more on lights and this light is every bit as good. I like that I can charge the batteries in my work van so I never have weak light.

I love this flashlight. I use it to look for Yooperlites and have been successful. It has a large cast and works well even at dusk when the sun is still up.

Have been using this item for some time for a business that requires 365nm UV illumination. I wanted to compare to the Beast V3 - a more expensive unit with a good reputation. So I ordered a Beast and new Lumenshooter to compare. I can honestly say this Lumenshooter unit is better in all aspects. The batteries used by the Lumenshooter are are larger, longer runtime and with almost 2x the rating. This also makes the handle of the light much easier to hold as well, it's got a slightly larger circumference. The light output between the Beast and Lumenshooter is comparable, with a slight edge to the Lumenshooter. The Lumenshooter seems to have a little less visible spectrum light (a good thing) and a little more 365nm UV spectrum light. Objects glow slightly brighter under the Lumenshooter light than the Beast V3. Given that it is less $ as well, an all-around better product. We have used our original Lumenshooter light for a year now, several hours a week, and it is still going strong and the output is as good as the new one.