Black light advice

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Do you have first hand experience with the differences between the ax174 and ax177?
I bit the bullet, and bought the ax177.... To be honest, I was expecting it to be very bright. I am very disappointed with the performance. It's 3 times the price of the other one. I wanted it to be able to use in broad daylight..... Not! I am searching for the ultimate UV light, price be damned! I used the 51 led one for 2 years. You can buy it on Amazon for like 9-10 bucks. I've been sourcing through forensic websites. Some are like 12-1500 bucks. I guess the correct wavelength would be between 365-395 nm. If anyone has a better idea , please share....
Jeff @ SCC
 

Mikey P

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did you try using the yellow glasses?

Light is light, sun light will always win over a hand held device.

Im very happy with the results of Cobb's gizmo
 
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did you try using the yellow glasses?

Light is light, sun light will always win over a hand held device.

Im very happy with the results of Cobb's gizmo
I tried with, without, lights on, lights off.... I've got a 'thing' about flashlights and knives..... I probably own 25 flashlights, and 75 knives. One of my flashlights is 4700 lumens.... I can 'see' the light shining on the trees across the road from my front door(300 plus feet) in broad daylight..... I know, different spectrum of light, but that flashlight was 40 bucks cheaper than my uv light......
Jeff @ SCC
 

dealtimeman

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Larrys light is the best period.

He picks the best housing,best battery, best charger(for the price point), and builds the light himself.

You can see it in daylight and it works ever time you go to use it,as long as you have charged it within the last 2 or 3 weeks.
 

cleanking

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We use the HydroForce lights AX174. We have tried cobbs and there is no comparison the HydroForce light is more powerful and does work during daytime, we use it everyday. The only downside the the HydroForce units is that they seem to have faulty internal parts, leading to premature wear. And in 3 years with 4-6 technicians have had about 3 of them crap out after about 7-12 months use. But, at the price we can get them for its really not a big deal to get a new one.
 
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Cleanworks

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I tried with, without, lights on, lights off.... I've got a 'thing' about flashlights and knives..... I probably own 25 flashlights, and 75 knives. One of my flashlights is 4700 lumens.... I can 'see' the light shining on the trees across the road from my front door(300 plus feet) in broad daylight..... I know, different spectrum of light, but that flashlight was 40 bucks cheaper than my uv light......
Jeff @ SCC
Gonna find that damn stain and cut it out.
 
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Gonna find that damn stain and cut it out.
It's more like I don't want to creep out mrs. homeowner..... 'Yes mam, I know we just met 30 seconds ago, but would you mind closing all the drapes, and shutting off all the lights?'..... Yeah, they love that.... Build me a portable UV 'sun in a tube'..... You know, the kind that will give you cataracts in 2-3 seconds......
Jeff @SCC
 
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Larry Cobb

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Jordan ;

I am not sure which one of our UV lights you are comparing to,
but send it back to Cobb and I will update it to the latest LED for a valid comparison.
Every year we have increased the power of all of our UV lights.

Your techs will be more productive with a stronger
& more reliable UV light.

Thanks,
Larry

P.S. Robert Mann had some good comments about our new ReduceAll in the Rug Forum : http://mikeysboard.com/threads/how-to-manage-dye-bleed-issues-on-oriental-rugs.284100/#post-4461745
 
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dealtimeman

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We use the HydroForce lights AX174. We have tried cobbs and there is no comparison the HydroForce light is more powerful and does work during daytime, we use it everyday. The only downside the the HydroForce units is that they seem to have faulty internal parts, leading to premature wear. And in 3 years with 4-6 technicians have had about 3 of them crap out after about 7-12 months use. But, at the price we can get them for its really not a big deal to get a new one.


We compared Larry Cobbs light at many shows side by side and you're right there is no comparison, Cobbs is brighter and you don't have to wear the glasses to see the spots in daylight. So either something is wrong with yours or it's not a Cobb light.

Robert man among other rug guys buy and use Cobb uv lights for multiple application due to its strength and greater visibilities of spots.

I personally have a few different lights and none even come close.
 
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Old Coastie

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Just a quick word, do NOT use an ultraviolet light without also using amber glasses. The pale, washed out light will make your pupils dilate to see more (admit more UV light), which is the worst thing that can happen.

My next UV will be one of Cobb's, because it can be tricky to see stains in ambient light, even with my whopping big hand held.
 
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J Scott W

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Do you have first hand experience with the differences between the ax174 and ax177?

I am not actively cleanign carpet now, So, I can't say I have real-life on the job type experience. I have used both in test situations, checked out restrooms, inspeced my own carpet at home (Yes, I have an indoor dog).

I prefer the AX174.

A lot of the power is in the UV range rather than the visible range, so it does not seem like a "bright" light. But it really highlights the urine in the situations I have used it in.

The AX177 is close to equal and has the feature of changing the light pattern or thw white light. I am too old and set-in my ways to want to learn the right pattern to use in different situations.
 
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I am not actively cleanign carpet now, So, I can't say I have real-life on the job type experience. I have used both in test situations, checked out restrooms, inspeced my own carpet at home (Yes, I have an indoor dog).

I prefer the AX174.

A lot of the power is in the UV range rather than the visible range, so it does not seem like a "bright" light. But it really highlights the urine in the situations I have used it in.

The AX177 is close to equal and has the feature of changing the light pattern or thw white light. I am too old and set-in my ways to want to learn the right pattern to use in different situations.
Don't get me wrong Scott, it does work. It's just that for 450.00( 725.00 Canadian, after exchange and import duties), I thought it would be ALOT brighter for the money. I am curious about the different settings..... I thought it was just white, low uv, and high uv....... I am looking into a new unit from England. It's WAY more expensive than any we are looking at now. It probably will run me 2800.00 Canadian, by the time I get it to my door...... Yeah, crazy I know......BUT, I charge per stain, and have already paid for my light several times over.......
Jeff @SCC
 

cleanking

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These AX174 lights retail for around $175, find a distributor that will sell you just the light and 3 18650 batteries and your into it under $200.

Upon further inspection we had been trying out this cobb light:
http://www.cobbcarpet.com/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&products_id=1384

And truly these Hydro Force lights are much brighter and have a wider spread of that light than the Cobb light we tried....plus when you just buy them AX174 light, not the whole kit, it's cheaper.
 
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