395nm vs 365nm
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What can different UV lights tell me?
Illuminating a piece of UV reactive glass with a 395nm light and then with a 365nm light can tell you alot about the glass you have. One major distinction is when you are shining UV light on manganese glass...
Why shouldn't I just use 365nm all the time?
It takes a lot of energy to make a dark color bright. Even the seemingly small difference between 395nm and 365nm represents a lot more electricity/power that is needed to make 365nm light bright. Because of this, 365nm lights tends to product more heat, which can damage your light over time while producting a ton of heat. This can be mitigated through fans and heat sinks, but if the application does not require 365nm lights. If 365nm is not necessary then 395nm is a great alternative that produces less heat, lasts longer and offers more lighting options. For these reasons I typically build my UV light displays with 395nm UV lights to leverage more light options, reduce power consumption and ensure long-term reliability.
Are 365nm UV Flashlights worth it?
High powered 365nm flashlights can range $50+, but for someone sereious about collecting UV reactive glass it is an important and powerful tool. To be able to shine a bright light across a table at an antique store and instantly see if they have what you want will ensure you don't miss much when you are treasure hunting.
The reason the flashlights are more expensive is due to 365nm LEDs costing more, oftentimes requiring a stronger power source (lithim ion batteries) and they usually include a UV light filter to block the purple hue present at the lower light spectrum. This provides a crisp, filtered 365nm light that instantly illuminates any UV reactive glass.