UV flashlight recommendations (amber searching)

[ziggycardon]

Hi everyone! 

 

I am looking for advice on a UV-flashlight. 

Next month I am going on a field trip to Poland with my fossil club. The first few days of the trip are in Gdansk where we will go and look at the cutting and preparation process of raw baltic amber, but we will also have the possibility to go search for amber at night. 
The club recommended to bring our own UV-flashlight and I am planning to purchase one but I have a hard time finding what the requirements of such flashlight are if I am planning to use it for searching amber. 

Does anyone have any tips what I should look for in a UV flashlight model or does anyone have some good recommendations?

Thank you in advance! 

Edited June 19, 2022 by ziggycardon

[Steph]

You will first need to know if you need short wavelength or long wavelength UV light because some minerals react to one but not the other.  I’m not sure about amber - maybe others in the forum know or  I would ask your club. Long wavelength lights are easy to find and cheap (pet store, party store).  Short wavelength is going to be a bit more expensive. I got a decent one on Amazon for about 40 bucks. It is strong enough for near ground searching.  I’ll see if I can find the link for the one I have. 

[Randyw]

You will want a short wavelength uv flashlihght. From  320nm-365nm or 380nm. I actually got mine at a craft store in the kids science section for $5 u.s.  it works great for me but i’ve never used it outside.

Edited June 18, 2022 by Randyw

[Steph]

http://LUMENSHOOTER S3 365nm UV... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087CSYWN2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This one worked pretty well outside - but not over a long distance - really right around where you are standing and less of an effect as you get further out. I could still see calcite about 15-20 ft away, but other things needed to be closer. 

I have to say, my UV light is one of the most fun tools I have. Also, consider if you want a rechargeable battery. Mine has one which is nice over time,  but you may not be able to recharge out in the field. 

[Steph]

8 minutes ago, Randyw said:

You will want a short wavelength uv flashlihght. From  320nm-365nm or 380nm. I actually got mine at a craft store in the kids science section for $5 u.s.  it works great for me but i’ve never used it outside.

That is a really good deal! 

[Troodon]

 

I use a 365 nm UV light on all the dinosaur fossils that I acquire or help others with.  There are a lot of 365nm lights on the market and they are not all created equal.  I have 4 different ones and there is quite a bit of difference between them in a head to head comparison.   Currently my top pick is the Convoy C8 which is available on Amazon.com, the manufacturer and at fossil shows like the one in Tucson.  Its not cheap but neither are fossils, so you get what you pay for.  I think it has an 80ft reach to find specimens but its not an application I've tested but should be fine for your application.  They carry other models which might fit you better at a different price point.

 

Thinking about it I do use it to find scorpions when my grandchildren are here.

 

 

Specs and purchase info.

https://www.fluorescents.com/products-convoy-c8-uv-led.html

 

[grandpa]

I also like Convoy for 365nm flashlights.  The C8+ can also be purchased here https://www.fluorescents.com/products-convoy-c8-uv-led.html for $20 below Amazon's price. 

 

For other Convoy options see: https://www.fluorescents.com/products-uv-flashlights.html

 

Also, on aside note, I see that Amazon refers to 395nm as long wave and 365nm as short wave.  This is different from how UV mineral collectors classify UV wavelengths.  In the fluorescent mineral UV wave classification, 254nm is short wave, 312nm is mid range and 365nm is long wave UV.  (395nm is good for lighting up fluorescent posters, but not so useful for fluorescent mineral display.)  The only flashlight options for mineral collecting that I am aware of are the 365nm wave length versions.

 

There are  portable lights that come in 1, 2, or all 3 wavelengths, but these will set you back a few hundred bucks.  if interested in these, I'd refer you to

https://polmanminerals.com/

or

https://www.fluorescents.com/

 

Of course, now that you have a better idea of what you are looking for, you might also try an auction site to seek out a sale.

[Misha]

@Troodon have you, by chance ever used a UVbeast? I was recommended this one by some other fossil collectors and it has worked great for me (365nm model), but I've also heard the Convoy is great, never seen a direct head to head comparison between the two.

[Troodon]

N

8 hours ago, Misha said:

@Troodon have you, by chance ever used a UVbeast? I was recommended this one by some other fossil collectors and it has worked great for me (365nm model), but I've also heard the Convoy is great, never seen a direct head to head comparison between the two.

 

No I have not looks nice.  They appear pretty similar, both use the same batteries and are similarly priced.   You really have to compare them in your application to see if there is a difference or not.

[ziggycardon]

Thank you all for the response and advise! 
It really helped me a great deal, I do now know what to look for!