A young relative is going to be traveling in northern Europe for a couple months, mostly Sweden and Norway in hostels and such. A UV flashlight was recommended in things to take to inspect rooms.

It looks like a 365nm UV flashlight is best and some warn to wear protective glasses when using them. A few warn a UV flashlight makes any room look like a crime scene and ignorance is better.

What are the thoughts here? Recommended models?

An earlier thread put forth this company for small lights. They have a line of UV handhelds that look affordable.
https://www.rovyvon.com/

ETA: Streamlight and Fenix also offer uv lights.

If I need UV light I'll just put a KD Litker 365 nm UV P60 drop in in a KD Litker E6 or similar host. They can be had for maybe $15 or less on Kaidomain.

There are of course lots of options but I use UV so rarely that I don't need a dedicated light for it. I like the modularity of a P60 host flashlight body.

I use the Nitecore MT1U which seems to be discontinued, but still available around. It is super small and compact but a strong light.

I've had an Innova X5T-UV for at least 15 years. It has five 5mm LEDs with a wavelength of 395nM +/- 5. A pair of 123a batteries powers it. Served as a pocket alternative to a bulky pro UV unit.

It proved very helpful in inspecting areas of concern and accordingly would be quite useful when traveling abroad.

quote:

A few warn a UV flashlight makes any room look like a crime scene and ignorance is better.

or a Jackson Pollock painting

I guess, if you never want to sit or lay down again.

I've stayed in countless hotel rooms, been on cruise ships, and been in all kinds of public spaces.

I'd really rather not know!

What do they think is going to happen when they make a 'discovery'? The only good that could come of this is finding evidence of bed-bugs; in that case, check-out and upgrade your accomodations. Good luck if its peak season or, its a small town with limited accommodations.

If they're hypochondriacs or inexperienced travelers and locked into a budget, they'd be better off traveling with a washable sleeping bag liner. Experienced hostel travelers use washable liners, Sea-to-Summit Silk Liners are nice.
Bringing your own pillow case is another nice personal item, as are having shower sandals. Combination lock for the locker. A microfiber-packable towel for washing; towels aren't free like at hotels, same goes for sheets.
If you're looking to get them some tech, a travel power strip is handy.


As for usefulness, UV lights are great if you're having to shell a bunch of crab and looking to find bits of shell in the meat.

I used a 2) AA light in AZ for finding scorpions after dark .
It did a great job.

But it would take forever to scope a whole room.

You may want to check in too 2) D battery size lights

He's a very inexperienced traveler who's never been outside the US. It's sounding like I should discourage the UV light and instead recommend things Corsair mentioned.

He's trying to travel with a carry-on backpack only and is going solo on a 90 day tourist visa. What other things would be good to pack?

I really don’t want to know.
A small container of dish soap might be nice for washing things he will wear multiple times, a length of line to hang those wet items on to dry, a money bag he can keep strapped on him under his clothes at all times, and I have a tiny down travel pillow I take most places with me. Obviously, adaptors for the electrical outlets over there, and I’ve found a heating element for 6$ on Amazon that’s been invaluable when I go somewhere and don’t feel like stepping out of my room for that first cup of tea..oh, speaking of, a folding metal cup that stores away might be nice. A wind up travel alarm clock. Hope he has a ball!

I had a UV light when we were doing cross country drives. I think I may have asked to move to a different room just one instance.

We use one to find the tomato worms at night. Boy do they light up!

quote:

Originally posted by bryan11:
He's a very inexperienced traveler who's never been outside the US. It's sounding like I should discourage the UV light and instead recommend things Corsair mentioned.

He's trying to travel with a carry-on backpack only and is going solo on a 90 day tourist visa. What other things would be good to pack?

Get him educated on scams and petty crimes where he may go. ATM machines can have crazy fees and crazy exchange rates. Criminals have many ways to steal credit/debit/atm card information. Thieves watch people unlocking their phone to get the pin code, then steal the phone and access any bank accounts etc. Pickpockets are a big problem, and have slick methods he should be aware of and take precautions (as someone already mentioned, a pouch under his clothing with his money, passport, and other documents). Hostels or other cheap lodging with any communal access (bunk rooms, shower lockers, etc) are likely to be high theft areas. Trust no one, meaning there are likely young people who will be very friendly but are actually thieves, so he must always safeguard his valuables as first priority.

Chances are he will meet lots of nice, fun, honest people. Applying a bit of caution will keep his trip from becoming a nightmare.

quote:

Originally posted by bryan11:
He's a very inexperienced traveler who's never been outside the US. It's sounding like I should discourage the UV light and instead recommend things Corsair mentioned.

He's trying to travel with a carry-on backpack only and is going solo on a 90 day tourist visa. What other things would be good to pack?

If he's going to be on the road for 90-days with just a backpack, he's gonna have to be pragmatic about everything he's bringing and doing; a background in backpacking/camping would be hugely helpful. Fortunately, kids are easily adaptable to situations (sometimes not for the best ) and travel is a fantastic way to not only gain new experiences but, build character and a develop a sense of self-reliance.

Most kids today have zero understand of public transit. If he's like many, take him to the closest big city, and put him on a scavenger hunt or, picture taking mission. He's forced to only use public transit (he'll be forced to figure out which route to take, read schedules and read-the-room of the characters on the route), take pictures of specific landmarks (prove he was there and make sure his phone is charged) and meet you at a specific location at a specific time, thus maintaining a target destination. I grew in the city but, this was related to me by my college roommate as to what his parents made him do before he got to go with friends to Europe the first time.

Since he'll be on the road for 90-days...does he know how to do laundry? Like most first-time college-agers when it comes to cooking, laundry is the other big life-shock/life-lesson skill that smacks them hard. At the very basic level, go to a pay-laundry place and knowing which colors go where, what temp and how much. How to do a small mixed-load will be hugely valuable. How to use laundry soap sheets and do your wash in the bathroom sink, wringing-out everything and hanging to dry...skills that poor kids know but, many others don't.

Key items for hostel travel - adapters, power strip (make sure intl rated), sleeping bag liner, pillow sheet, padlock (get combo so you're not SOL if loose key) shower shoes/slippers, laundry bag, laundry hooks/line, some people will take a small dry-bag for valuables (money, passport, tickets, phone) while IN THE SHOWER. Packing cubes are handy but, not essential, I prefer them for travel thats over a week as it helps keep things organized this is dependent on the individual. Lighting is always good to have, a small EDC light and a headlamp is a solid combo.

Dig up a Rick Steves travel guide or two. He has great tips on traveling light.