The new Streamlight Night Com UV is a specialty light for law enforcement that incorporates six UV emitting LED lights into a white light flashlight. The UV lights allow a police or security officer to verify the authenticity of a driver’s license, bank card, currency or other document.
The flashlight is about the same length as the company’s Strion flashlight, meaning it can be easily carried on a duty belt or inside a jacket pocket. It uses CR123A lithium batteries, which allows the flashlight to work even after sitting unused for weeks or months. Batteries are included.
The Streamlight Night Com UV has a single white-light emitting LED, which throws 115 lumens and 4200 candela in the “high” mode. In the “low” mode, white light output drops to 50 lumens and 1600 candela. I found that the white light was very bright, but was better for close up work than for illuminating things at a distance. It would not be my first choice for conducting a building search for a criminal, but it would certainly fill the roll as a backup light for this purpose.
The light’s six UV emitting LEDs are divided with three 365 nanometer lights and three 390 nanometer lights. Combined, they have an output of 24 mW and an expected 100,000 hour lifetime.
The UV light can be great for quickly validating documents like driver’s licenses. Many states now build security features into their licenses that are only visible under UV light. I used the Night Com UV on duty to check driver’s licenses while on patrol, and the light worked perfectly for this.
I also used the light to check a variety of debit cards and US currency. The light was very effective at illuminating the security features in each.
As crime scene techs can tell you, UV light can also be used to locate bodily fluids and other things not normally visible in white light. I used the Night Com UV to go over the carpet in a foreclosed home. I was shocked to see a number of stains (presumably pet urine) that were not visible at all in normal room lighting. This flashlight might be able to help you locate evidence that would otherwise be missed.
The Streamlight Night Com UV is water resistant, has a removable wrist strap, is covered by a limited lifetime warranty and even comes with a pair of Duracell batteries. MSRP is $90, but the light is available for less than $55 at Amazon.com. If you work patrol, one of these flashlights is a valuable asset that can help you quickly identify counterfeit currency or locate body fluid evidence. Oh, and impressing your sergeant is just a bonus. Faster promotions are not guaranteed!
