[Rockhounds] UV flashlights

[Doug Bank]

There is a new flashlight that the fluorescent mineral community is buzzing about. It uses a Nichia 365nm LED that has very little visible light leakage (so the rocks aren’t real purple) and the wavelength is true (That said, a filter is advisable). The really cool thing about it is that it is CHEAP. The light can be bought for under $25, though you also need to add the price for a good 18650 battery and charger and maybe $2 for a filter. While it is long wave, it is REALLY bright, and can get a response from many short wave minerals. Not a true response, but enough to show you that something is fluorescent. You can find a lot more information here:

https://www.naturesrainbows.com/single-post/2017/03/01/365nm-Flashlight-Torch-The-Most-Significant-Innovation-in-UV-Mineral-Lights-in-Years

The only real problem with this light is that is seems to have few sources, is shipped from China, and has a variable supply chain. Ditto for the 20mm ZWB2 filters, which are out of stock in most places. The link above tells you everything you need to know.

It is cheap, it is light, it is small. It can be easily taken anywhere. The brand is also well known for quality among flashlight hobbyists. Get one today.

Doug

PS Also the best cat pee detector I have ever used! :-(

On Mar 18, 2017, at 10:37 AM, Peter Richards <rpr at heidelberg.edu> wrote:

> Any comments about the best UV flashlight for mineral use, value for money?
> 
> Thanks,
> Pete Richards
> ___________________________
> R. Peter Richards, Ph.D.
> rpr at heidelberg.edu
> Morphological Crystallographer
> 
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