Summary

Designed for retail use for checking that banknotes are genuine (see pictures) - slide the note under the UV light, much quicker than having to hold a torch, and the shade means it works in bright light (though not direct sunlight).  It also has an ordinary white light should you just want to use it as a magnifier. 

Also suitable for dealers and collectors checking old banknotes, stamps, prints etc...in fact, anything made of paper.  

The viewing window is a Fresnel (flat-screen) magnifier. There's also a 'magnetic strip' detector, though British bank notes don't have these. 

Battery or USB. 

 of what you will see with UV lights. Though this one isn't illustrated because you will not be using it in a variety of settings, it's only for paper (banknotes, stamps, postcards etc) and the item will be viewed at a fixed distance. 

Technical

Overall size: 175mm (7") long X 90mm (3.5") deep X  90mm (3.5") tall.

Size of magnifier: 90mm (3.5") X 40mm (1.5").

Magnification: the manufactures say 3X

Weight including batteries: 250g

Light source: switchable between 9 UV LEDs or 4 white LEDs.

Wavelength: 365nm 

Magnetic strip detector: rub the 'strip' on the banknote backwards and forwards over the detector, a 'real' strip will set off the buzzer, if it's just printed/photocopied it won't. It's very clever. But we can't get it to work. 

Power

Four AAA batteries (supplied)
or USB source (USB cable supplied).  

Further information

:

• what it is (and fascinating facts)
• different types (and their applications)
• general examples of items lit by UV light

of what you will see with this (and other) UV lights:

• Paper (banknote, stamp, security marking)
• Uranium glass
• Porcelain repair detection