Just starting this page. Right now just a place to park stuff.
365 nm Wavelength Flashlights
Most people start off with a longwave light in the 365 nm range. This is because they lower cost of the different wavelengths and tend to be redily avaiable. You will want a filtered light. These will have what appears to be black glass over the lens. This is to allow the UV light though but filter out the visible light the LED generates.
Darkbeam V4-DB-365nm - If you aren't sure you want to get into this and you don't want to spend much or you want to have a spare to keep in the car, at a $8-14 this is a great option to start out with. Great for looking at and showing off specimens at the house. Wouldn't recommend them for going out hunting in the field. I've seen some information saying they are 10 watts but they seem to have less output than my Hunter C8+ by John Dean which is 5 watts. I keep a few around the house to give people interested.
Lumenshooter S3 - I have had good experience with it. Runs around $40. Deffently more light than the Darkbeam V4-DB-365nm above.
Convoy S12 UV 365nm with filter 21700 flashlight (heard good things but have not had one). Told it is in the $40 range.
FyrFly Convoy C8 365nm I haven't used one of these but I've heard good things. It was originally published as a DIY project which you can see here. Engenious Designs has come out with a new and improved ver of the design for $69. Note Engenious Designs is operated by a hobbist that is very helpful in the Fluorescent Minerals Facebook group.
uvBeast V3 365nm (heard good things and it has very good reviews on Amazon 4.7 stars with over 3k reviews. $80)
If you are looking for something over the over the say $50 amazon range, consider looking at lights by John Dean. He is a hobbist that builds lights. I've got a few of his lights and I've been happy with them. He is also often in the FS Hunters Facebook group. Note he has a lot of different wavelengths and sizes.
Other Wavelengths Flashlights
Most folks start out with a 365nm light. After that 255nm and 310nm lights are the most common but there are a lot of different wavelenghts people use. Note some folks are pefering 295nm over 310nm. Here are some places I have had good experiences with or have heard good things about. Note these are in alphabetical order so not to say one is better than the other.
Engenious Designs - Several wavelength and sizes. They also have the Cerberus which has a 365, 310, and 255 all in one light. Rehett who is the person behind the company is very nice and has helped me on some projects. Engenious Designs has a good reputation from what I've seen and you will be supporting a fellow hobbyist.
John Dean - Again, John is hobbyist that builds lights. Super nice guy. I've got 4 of his lights which are well made and very well priced. He also normally ships in short order. I don't think he has a website but you can message him. He is also often in the FS Hunters Facebook group. Note he has a lot of different wavelengths and sizes.
Manta Ray Lights aka Shenzhen Wkdun Technology Co., Ltd. - This company sells on Alibaba which is like Amazon but from China. I have a few of thier lights ..... I think 6 now. My first puchase was one of their 340nm and 255nm M45 10 watt lights which cost $97 total (lights and shipping). Note they did not come with batteries so that was another $24 but that means I got them for $60.50 each. That is about 1/2 of what I paid for my other 340nm which is from one of the USA sellers which was not as powerful. The downside was they are coming from China so it takes around 2 to 3 weeks to get them.
In the 10 watt, they have 255, 275, 295, 310, 320, and 340nm. Note they have two styles of 10 watt lights and it is my understanding the LED and drivers are the same.
M45 which takes a 21700 battery and the head 3.5 oz (99 g) 1.5 inch (38 mm) dia.
M58 which takes a 26650 battery and the head 6.3 oz (179 g) 1.96 inch (50 mm) dia. I would assume that the heavier head would help with heat.
In the 5 watt, they have 255, 275, 295, 310, 320, and 340nm.
They also have a 20 watt 365nm.
Stimac aka Perkyboxes.com - Several wavelength and sizes. Sean Stimac has a good reputation from what I've seen and you will be supporting a fellow hobbyist. I have one light from him. I like it and he does ship in short order.