Review: Inova STS Headlamp (Updated)

(Source: Amazon)

I recently had the opportunity to pick up an Inova STS Headlamp for $20 at Cabela's "Bargain Cave." It had been returned because the purchaser disliked the strap. It normally retails in the $35 range.

I've reproduced below the statistics from the Inova website:

• Multi-mode, dual LED color headlamp featuring a simple touch activated user interface - Swipe-To-Shine™
• Lumens (White LED): High - 142 | Medium - 40 | Low - 3
• Run Time (White LED): High 4 hours and 40 min | Medium 26 hours and 40 min | Low - 255 hours
• IPX-7 - Waterproof to 1 meter
• 1 white high power LED featuring 5 modes (high, variable dim, medium, strobe, and lockout)
• 2 Red LEDs for preserving night vision that features 5 modes (high, variable dim, medium, strobe, and lockout)
• Fully programmed lock-out mode to prevent accidental activation when transporting or storing
• Battery Type: 3 x AAA alkaline replaceable batteries
• Available in 3 body and strap colors: Charcoal, Orange, and Blue
• Impact resistant polycarbonate body
• Adjustable Angles for precise illumination
• High quality, woven elastic strap
• Try me packaging - allows for lighting demonstration
• Limited Lifetime Warranty USA
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 2.8" x 1.7" | 47.2mm x 70.7mm x 42.2mm
• Weight: 3.4oz | 97.0g
• Headband fits diameters 6.5" to 16" | 16.5cm to 40.6cm

First, I will note that I didn't find there to be anything wrong or uncomfortable about the headband. The headband seems to be well made. The buckles are not has thick as those on my Petzl Tikka headlamp, but seem sturdy enough. The mount which the headlamp attaches to is actually more heavily built than on my Petzl.

The lamp itself seems sturdy and well made. Its heavier than the Petzl, but not uncomfortable. The clamp for securing the cover of the battery compartment is actually much better than the plastic clip used on the Petzl or most other headlamps I've seen. It is easier to open the battery compartment, yet it is also more secure.

Clamp open

Clamp Closed

As noted in the specs given above, the lamp produces a maximum of 142 lumens, which is much more than my Petzl. Even the medium setting is quite bright at 40 lumens. However, the lamp also allows a variable adjustment from the highest light level through to a minimum of 3 lumens, allowing you to adjust it to the amount you need or want.

This lamp uses two red LEDs for preserving night vision, which gives you a bit more light than the single LED on the Petzl. Unlike the Petzl, though, there are two preset light levels for the red LEDs, plus, like the white light, there is a variable adjustment.

Of course, whether using the white light or the red lights, there is a strobe setting. Also, due to the type of control, there is a "lockout" setting that prevents the lights from accidently being turned on.

The primary feature, or selling point, of this lamp seems to be the "Swipe-to-Shine" control. Basically, you swipe a finger or thumb over the control to turn on, off, or adjust the lamp. Swipe in the direction of the white arrow to turn on the white lamp; and in the direction of the red arrow to turn on the red lamps. Swiping the opposite direction will turn the lamp off. Multiple swipes will cycle the lamp through the high-medium-strobe modes. A swipe to turn the lamp on, followed by a swipe and holding your finger on the control will activate the variable dimming feature. You just hold your finger in place until it reaches the desired light output. If you miss your desired light level, continuing to hold your finger in place will continue to dim, then re-brighten the light.

There is a certain amount of learning curve to using the controls. For some reason, when I first purchased the lamp, it didn't seem to sense my finger swipes. Part of the problem was probably angle--your finger needs to be flush on the control--as well as the speed of the swipe. Perhaps finger pressure also plays a factor. I found it easier to successfully swipe the control with the lamp in hand rather than on the head, although this is something that may be resolved with practice. There were also a couple times where the lamp seemed to freeze up when I was playing with it, trying the different settings. I think it was mostly due to trying to work through the settings too fast, or inadvertently activating the lock out setting. Just letting it sit for a moment or two seemed to resolve most of these issues, and I haven't had the problem the more I've used the lamp. In short, you do need to practice with the lamp a bit before using it in order to be be able to work the controls reliably.

Not being sure of how the swipe control worked--i.e., sensing heat, or pressure--I made sure to test it with gloves. I tested it using three pairs of gloves: a pair of lightweight gloves designed for use with a touch screen device; a pair of lightweight leather gloves; and a pair of medium-weight winter gloves. The lamp controls worked fine with all three pairs.

To sum up, the lamp is sturdy and has a definitive advantage over my Petzl in terms of light output. I like the variable dimming feature. Although the swipe control is interesting, the fact that you need to practice to use it makes it less reliable in my mind. Not that it is defective, but that it may simply not activate when you first use the control, making you have to swipe it a couple times or take it off your head to activate. I think a rocker switch would have worked better. So, for normal activities, the lamp is great. If I was in a situation where I needed to positively turn a headlamp on or off the first time I attempted to operate the controls, I would pick a different lamp. However, although I was initially frustrated with the controls, I've grown to like the lamp the more I use it.

Related Post: Review of the Petzl "Tikka XP2" Headlamp.

Update: After using the lamp for about a year, the hing on the battery cover suddenly snapped (I don't know why--I was just walking along when a piece popped loose). The lamp still worked--it just wasn't going to be water resistant. I contacted Inova via email to report the problem, and promptly (less than a week) had a new headlamp in hand. Great customer service. That is worth something, these days. Anyway, the new headlamp is more responsive to my finger swipes, so I think the technology has improved. I like the lamp enough that I gave my Petzl lamp to my son to use: I'm fully satisfied with the Inova. I still have the old lamp--just not sure what to do with it.