Ironraven,

My past experience with microprocessors has led me to believe they are significantly more fragile than a LED. I spent many years tethered to an anti-static grounding cord while I worked on microprocessor controlled equipment. These little gizmos can be very sensitive and fragile. The only way I have ever destroyed a LED is too many volts (D?oh) or physical breakage (ala my previous Photon keychain light). I don't have any specifics on the li?l brain in the Inova, but I am making assumptions based on past experience.

Hey, even if it was just as rugged, I still don't get it. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I'd rather have them spend another 25 cents on a better LED, clip, casing, or whatever, than to blow the R&D time and costs on a superfluous component. What next??? An appendix? I can loan them mine, I?m not using it. (What was God thinking? I?ll have to send him a flaming e-mail about that little doo-hickey).

Also, I just plain don?t like how the switching functions in the new Inova. ?Hated it!!!? <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I can?t just ?press and let go?. If the timing is wrong, I don?t get the desired outcome. More clicks, more wear, shorter life-span. Still not getting it. And just fagettabout the translucent case. It belongs on my son?s gameboy or some other non-critical kidde toy.

I took a virtual stroll over to the Inova Web page. As is all too typical with many companies, the web page is a tad behind the times. OK, grossly behind the times. Not a single mention of the microprocessor microlights, which is the only style being sold at Target and a few other retailers I hit today. Hello Inova?(Yo, McFly!) Either dump your web guy or wake him up and get him busy.

I checked amazon, but they don?t list the Inova model number with the pic. I don?t know which model they really have. It?s a bit like the web sites selling the Gerber Infinity Ultra, but still showing the pic of the old CMG flashlight. What the???

I have no clue if the old analog style light is still being made. I?ll have to do more web surfing then e-mail verify model number before laying money on the table.

If all else fails, I?ll see if Photon still has a ?switch only? model and put a small bit of heat shrink tubing on the LED to shield the sides (and maybe provide a smidgeon of protection). If Photon is only making microprocessor versions I will have to take out a second mortgage on my house and hoard large quantities of ARC AAA lights. (Not that there?s anything wrong with that). <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Cheers, TR (aka cranky old AnalogMan)