SkyWand: Compare & choose, every question, answered

SkyWand or SunSpot 2, which should I buy?

Pick by where the cure happens and what the chemistry needs. The SkyWand is cordless and handheld for rework and field repair at 365 or 405 nm; the SunSpot 2 is a benchtop 200 W arc with broad 275-650 nm output and >18 W/cm² UVA for the hottest, widest-spectrum cures.

If your adhesive datasheet calls for UVB/UVC or visible content, that alone decides it: SunSpot 2.

SkyWand or SkyBeam, which should I buy?

SkyWand for mobility: cordless, handheld, single spot, manual trigger. SkyBeam for production control: four independent LED channels with per-channel timers, life logs, RS-232, and PLC I/O for automated lines.

Many shops run one of each, SkyBeam on the line, SkyWand for rework and anything that can't be fixtured.

How do the three systems differ?

SunSpot 2: benchtop 200 W arc, broad 275-650 nm spectrum, highest intensity. SkyBeam: benchtop 4-channel LED controller, automation-ready with timers and RS-232. SkyWand: cordless handheld LED for rework and field repair at 365 or 405 nm.

Which system is the most portable?

The SkyWand, and it isn't close, it's the only cordless system, weighs 130 g with battery, and travels in a carry case with charger, two packs, and goggles. The SunSpot 2 and SkyBeam are AC-powered benchtop units.

Which system has the highest intensity?

The SunSpot 2, at over 18,000 mW/cm² UVA (320-390 nm). The SkyBeam delivers 11,000 mW/cm² at a 3 mm spot (365 nm), and the SkyWand delivers 0.9 W/cm² across its much larger 15 mm spot.

Raw intensity buys speed at small spots; the wand trades intensity for reach and a bigger spot.

LED vs broad-spectrum arc, the difference?

An LED emits a narrow band (365, 385, 395, or 405 nm) with minimal IR, instant on/off, and 20,000-hour source life. The arc covers 275-650 nm, UVB, UVC, UVA, and visible, which cures chemistries narrowband LEDs can't, at the cost of warm-up and periodic lamp changes.

Why choose a narrowband LED source?

If your adhesive datasheet names a wavelength in the 365-405 nm range, an LED puts all its energy right there: instant on/off, no warm-up, minimal IR heating, and no lamp cartridges to replace.

Why choose a broad-spectrum source?

When the chemistry demands it: adhesives needing UVB/UVC or visible content, surface-inhibited formulations that stay tacky under single-wavelength LEDs, and thick encapsulant sections that benefit from the arc's full 275-650 nm output.

Single spot or four channels?

Count your simultaneous cure points. One joint at a time, the SkyWand's single 15 mm spot is plenty. Multiple fixtured points per cycle, the SkyBeam runs four independent channels, each with its own timer, or the SunSpot 2 splits one lamp across four poles.

Bench system or field system?

Ask where the part will be when it needs curing. Parts that come to a fixture deserve a bench system's timers and repeatability; parts that stay put, installed equipment, large assemblies, field repairs, need the cure brought to them, which is the SkyWand's job.

How do prices compare across systems?

List prices: SkyWand $790, SkyBeam $2,900, SunSpot 2 $4,220, each excluding tax and shipping. Volume and OEM tiers are quoted, so tell us which systems you’re weighing and your quantities and we’ll price them side by side.

Is the SkyWand the budget option?

At $790 it’s the most affordable system we sell, but pick by process fit, not price alone. Handheld reach is the SkyWand’s job; if the work is fixtured on a bench, the $2,900 SkyBeam or $4,220 SunSpot 2 will serve you better.

Can I quote a wand plus a bench system?

Yes, and it's a common pairing: a SkyBeam or SunSpot 2 for production, plus a SkyWand for rework and field calls. Put them on one quote request and ask about multi-unit pricing.

Which system cures a joint fastest?

Dose is intensity times time, so the high-irradiance bench sources win on raw speed: SunSpot 2 at >18,000 mW/cm² UVA, SkyBeam at up to 11,000 mW/cm² on a 3 mm spot. The SkyWand's 0.9 W/cm² still cures typical rework dots in seconds, just verify against your datasheet dose.

Which system fits an automated line?

The SkyBeam, it's the only one with RS-232 remote control, PLC signal ports, a safety interlock, and key-lock, plus per-channel auto timers from 0 to 999.9 seconds. The SkyWand is manual by design and the SunSpot 2 is a benchtop unit with timer and foot pedal.

Which fits validated medical production?

The SkyBeam: programmed wavelength, intensity, and exposure per channel, plus LED life logs, dose becomes a stored recipe instead of an operator skill. The SkyWand complements it for rework and for assemblies too large to fixture, curing the same 365/405 nm chemistries.

Which is best for PCB rework?

The SkyWand, rework is unpredictable by nature, and a cordless handheld spot goes wherever the defect is. If your 'rework' is really a repeating fixtured staking step, the SkyBeam's timed channels give better repeatability.

Which is best for potting and encapsulation?

The SunSpot 2. Its broad 275-650 nm spectrum penetrates thick encapsulant sections and fully cures surface-inhibited and dual-cure chemistries, and multi-pole light guides cure a whole dam-and-fill perimeter in one timed exposure.

Keep the SkyWand in the picture for touch-up and repair of potted assemblies in the field.

Which handles shadowed geometry best?

On the bench, the SunSpot 2 with two poles angled at opposing 45° positions reaches around vertical walls. In the field, the SkyWand's advantage is that you can walk the light around the part and cure each face directly.

Either way, truly hidden adhesive needs a dual-cure chemistry, no light source cures what it cannot see.

Do all three need warm-up time?

Only the SunSpot 2: its arc lamp needs 1-2 minutes to reach full output and 2-5 minutes of cool-down before it will re-strike. The SkyBeam and SkyWand are solid-state LEDs, instant on/off with no warm-up at all.

How do source lifetimes compare?

SunSpot 2: >2,000 hours per quick-change UV1866 lamp cartridge. SkyBeam: 20,000-hour LEDs. SkyWand: LED source with no lamp changes, the wear items are the batteries, rated 300-500 charge cycles.

Which systems need consumables?

The SunSpot 2 consumes arc lamp cartridges (>2,000 hours each). The SkyBeam's 20,000-hour LEDs are effectively lifetime sources. The SkyWand's only recurring item is its Li-ion packs after 300-500 charge cycles.

What power does each system need?

SunSpot 2: 100-120 or 200-240 VAC, factory-configured per part number. SkyBeam: wide-range 90-264 VAC. SkyWand: no mains at all, it runs on swappable 3.7 V 3000 mAh Li-ion batteries.

How do spot sizes compare?

SkyBeam guides come with 6 and 12 mm lenses and spot options down to 3 mm; the SunSpot 2's spot is set by its light guide (the included UV0570 is 5 mm) and guide depth; the SkyWand throws a fixed 15 mm spot at its 28 mm focus distance.

Can I adjust intensity on each system?

SunSpot 2: 25-100% via knob and guide depth. SkyBeam: 10-100% from the front panel. SkyWand: fixed output with a single trigger, simplicity is the point, and its constant regulation keeps that fixed output steady.

How do exposure timers compare?

SunSpot 2 has an integral electronic timer with a shutter; SkyBeam gives every channel its own auto timer, 0-999.9 seconds, or manual mode; the SkyWand has no timer, you control exposure with the trigger.

If your quality system requires machine-timed doses, that points to a bench unit.

What triggering options does each have?

SunSpot 2: front panel plus the included UV1860 foot pedal. SkyBeam: front panel, UV4045 foot switch, or RS-232 commands. SkyWand: the single on/off switch at the head, one thumb, no cables.

How do the weights compare?

SunSpot 2 chassis: 5.92 lb. SkyBeam controller: 3.25 lb (1.47 kg). SkyWand: 130 g with its battery, you hold the entire system in one hand.

Do the systems share light guides?

No. The SunSpot 2 uses liquid-filled guides (multi-pole up to 4 legs), the SkyBeam uses its own LED light guides, and the SkyWand uses none, it exposes the work directly through its integral, replaceable optical lens.

What's included with each system?

SunSpot 2: UV0570 light guide, foot pedal, heat filter (installed), eyewear, AC cord, manual. SkyBeam: ordered guides, foot switch, security keys, screwdriver, eyewear, AC cord, manual. SkyWand: lamp, charger, two batteries, shade 5.0 goggles, carry case, manual.

Are warranty and returns the same on all?

Yes, every system carries a 2-year OEM warranty and a 30-day return window on unused units, and all three ship from stock in 24-48 hours. Note the SkyWand's warranty requires using original accessories.

What are the part numbers for each system?

SunSpot 2: UV1853 (120 VAC) or UV2132 (240 VAC). SkyBeam: UV3979 / UVS-SB4-LED. SkyWand: UVS-SW1-LED, with the wavelength (365 or 405 nm) specified at order.

Which wavelengths does each system cover?

SunSpot 2: broad 275-650 nm, UVB/UVC capable. SkyBeam: 365, 385, 395, or 405 nm depending on the LED guides ordered. SkyWand: 365 or 405 nm, chosen when you order.

Does the wand match SkyBeam's wavelengths?

Partly. The SkyBeam offers 365, 385, 395, and 405 nm heads and can mix them across its four channels; each SkyWand ships at a single wavelength, 365 or 405 nm. Adhesives responsive across the 365-405 band usually cure fine on the nearer wand wavelength.

Wand or bench for repeatability?

Bench, when you can fixture the part, machine timers and fixed geometry beat any hand. The SkyWand narrows the gap with regulated constant output, so the remaining variables are just your hold distance and exposure timing.

Rule of thumb: validated production gets a bench system; rework and field work get the wand plus disciplined technique.

When is the SkyWand the wrong choice?

When you need programmed exposure times, multiple simultaneous cure points, PLC or RS-232 integration, broadband UVB/UVC output, or maximum irradiance at a small spot. Those requirements point to the SkyBeam or SunSpot 2.

When is the SkyWand the only choice?

When there's no outlet, no bench, or no way to move the part: field repairs, installed equipment, and assemblies too large or awkward to fixture. It's the only cordless system in the lineup.

Why not just buy a cheap UV flashlight?

Because curing is a dose-controlled process, not illumination. The SkyWand holds a regulated, constant UV output that won't fade as the battery drains, and it publishes the numbers a process needs: 0.9 W/cm² intensity, 15 mm spot, 28 mm focus distance, 365 or 405 nm.

It's also backed by a 2-year OEM warranty, shade 5.0 goggles in the kit, and a US-based supplier for support and replacements.

What's wrong with consumer UV lights?

Consumer lights are typically unregulated, output sags as the battery drains, and they rarely state true irradiance or wavelength tolerance. Your adhesive needs a known wavelength and a repeatable dose; without them every cure is a guess.

SkyWand vs a hobby blacklight?

A blacklight is made to make things glow; the SkyWand is made to cure adhesives to spec. It's an industrial UV LED spot lamp with constant regulated output, documented intensity and spot geometry, a replaceable optical lens, and a maintenance path (radiometer checks, source replacement).

Do flashlight cures actually fail?

The common failure is silent under-cure: output that fades with the battery delivers a shrinking dose, so joints look done and later prove weak or tacky. Constant regulated output is precisely the SkyWand feature that removes that failure mode.

Isn't the SkyWand just a fancy flashlight?

It shares the shape, not the engineering. Inside is an advanced industrial UV LED with constant-output battery control, a focused optical system rated at 0.9 W/cm² over a 15 mm spot, and a replaceable lens, plus a full kit with charger, two packs, goggles, and case.

A consumer light looks brighter, why?

Visible glow isn't UV dose. What cures adhesive is irradiance at the right wavelength, measured with a UV-A radiometer, which is exactly how the manual tells you to verify the SkyWand. A violet-looking beam can carry very little usable curing energy.

Why does regulated output matter so much?

Because you qualify a cure once, a wavelength, an intensity, an exposure time, and then repeat it. Regulation is what makes the repeat valid: the SkyWand's output stays constant to the end of the battery, so the qualified time keeps producing the qualified dose.

Can't I radiometer-check a flashlight?

You can measure it, but a measurement is only a snapshot, an unregulated light reads differently an hour later as the battery sags. With the SkyWand, periodic radiometer checks confirm a stable baseline instead of chasing a moving one.

Eye safety: wand vs consumer UV lights?

The SkyWand ships as a safety-complete kit: shade 5.0 UV protective goggles in the case and explicit manual warnings, goggles on before the light, never look into the lamp. Consumer lights typically ship with neither.

Industrial vs consumer LEDs, what differs?

For curing, what matters is specification and consistency: the SkyWand's LED is specified at your ordered wavelength and driven for constant UV output, so the dose is known and stays known. Consumer emitters aren't specified or driven for process work.

Does output hold as batteries age?

Output is constant on every charge, the regulation holds intensity steady until the pack is empty. Batteries themselves last 300-500 charge cycles; as a pack ages you'll see shorter runtime, not weaker UV, and replacement packs restore full runtime.

Which system for a new lab or pilot line?

If your adhesives are still being chosen, the SunSpot 2's broad 275-650 nm output covers the widest range of chemistries while you settle the process. If you've standardized on a 365-405 nm LED-curable adhesive, the SkyBeam scales from one channel to four as the line grows.

Which covers the widest adhesive range?

The SunSpot 2, its 275-650 nm arc covers UVB, UVC, UVA, and visible-cure chemistries, including older broadband formulations and surface-inhibited adhesives that single-wavelength LEDs leave tacky.

Which is best for high-mix bench work?

Depends on the mix. Chemistries scattered across many bands favor the SunSpot 2's broad spectrum; a mix that's all LED-curable favors the SkyBeam, since each of its four channels can hold a different wavelength head and its own timer.

SkyBeam channels vs SunSpot poles?

The SkyBeam's four channels are fully independent, separate wavelength heads, timers, and life logs per channel. The SunSpot 2 splits one lamp across up to four light-guide poles, so all poles share the same spectrum and fire in one timed exposure.

Can the SunSpot 2 cure four points at once?

Yes, multi-pole light guides split the single 200 W lamp into up to four balanced legs, curing a four-point bond line or a dam-and-fill perimeter in one exposure. The SkyWand, by contrast, is a single handheld spot.

Can SkyBeam channels differ in wavelength?

Yes, each channel takes its own LED head at 365, 385, 395, or 405 nm, so one controller can serve processes on different bands. The SkyWand is single-wavelength, fixed at order time.

Can I move a SkyBeam between sites?

You can relocate it, the controller is 3.25 lb and takes wide-range 90-264 VAC, but it's a benchtop instrument that needs mains power and setup. For genuinely mobile work, the cordless SkyWand is the tool built for the job.

Can the wand back up my production line?

Yes, it's an excellent second string. If a bench channel is down or a part misses its fixture window, the SkyWand cures the same 365/405 nm chemistries by hand, keeping product moving while you service the line.

How tightly is output regulated on each?

SunSpot 2 regulates lamp power to ±1.0%; SkyBeam regulates LED current to ±1%; the SkyWand uses constant-output battery control so intensity doesn't fade with charge. All three are built around the same idea: dose you can repeat.

Which system is gentlest on the part?

The LED systems, SkyBeam and SkyWand, deliver narrowband output with minimal IR, so assemblies see almost no heating. The SunSpot 2's arc includes IR (managed by an installed heat filter and IR-controlled fans), which is the trade for its broad spectrum.

How do cooling designs compare?

SunSpot 2: dual filtered DC fans under IR control. SkyBeam: convection-cooled controller, with guides cooled by fan or convection. SkyWand: simple mechanical cooling in the handheld housing, no fans to maintain.

How much bench space does each need?

SunSpot 2: 10.51 x 8.64 x 4.05 in. SkyBeam controller: 6.63 x 3.62 x 5.91 in. SkyWand: none, it's a 146 mm x 25 mm handheld that lives in its carry case between jobs.

Which system talks to a PLC?

Only the SkyBeam, it has signal ports, a safety interlock, and key-lock for line integration, plus RS-232 remote control. Neither the SunSpot 2 nor the SkyWand offers PLC I/O.

Does anything besides SkyBeam have RS-232?

No, RS-232 remote control is a SkyBeam exclusive in this lineup. The SunSpot 2 is driven from its front panel and foot pedal; the SkyWand from its single trigger switch.

Foot pedal options across systems?

The SunSpot 2 includes the UV1860 shutter foot pedal (6 ft) and the SkyBeam includes the UV4045 exposure foot switch (2 m). The SkyWand has no pedal, its trigger is the on/off switch at the lamp head.

Which has interlocks and key-lock?

The SkyBeam, it carries a safety interlock, signal ports, and key-lock so it can sit inside a guarded production cell. The SkyWand takes the opposite approach: a sealed, simple handheld with goggles-based operator safety.

Which for a catheter bonding line?

The SkyBeam, needle and catheter work needs a validated, repeatable dose, and its per-channel recipes, timers, and life logs are built for that (365 nm is the workhorse for medical-grade adhesives). Add a SkyWand for rework and oversize assemblies.

Which for structural glass bonding?

On the bench, the SunSpot 2, broad-spectrum output and >18 W/cm² UVA drive full cures on structural bonds, with multi-pole guides covering the whole bond line at once. For glass repairs away from the bench, the SkyWand handles 365/405 nm structural acrylates in place.

Which for repairs out in the field?

The SkyWand, full stop, it's the only cordless option. It brings constant-output 365 or 405 nm curing to installed equipment and large assemblies, with two swappable packs and a carry case for travel.

Which costs least to run long-term?

The consumable picture is clear: the SunSpot 2 replaces lamp cartridges every >2,000 hours, the SkyBeam’s LEDs run 20,000 hours, and the SkyWand only consumes battery packs (300–500 cycles each). LED systems win on consumables over time.

Which system restarts fastest?

The LED systems are instant, SkyBeam and SkyWand hit full output the moment you trigger. The SunSpot 2's arc needs 1-2 minutes of warm-up and, once hot, 2-5 minutes of cool-down before it re-strikes.

Can each run a full production shift?

The mains-powered SunSpot 2 and SkyBeam run as long as the line does. The SkyWand runs approximately 2 hours of lamp-on time per battery, with two swappable packs and a 4-hour charger, a rotation keeps it available all day.

I travel between customer sites, which one?

The SkyWand. The whole system, lamp, charger, two batteries, goggles, packs into one protective case, weighs almost nothing, and needs no outlet at the point of cure. It's the only system in the lineup designed to travel.

Can the wand cure my line's adhesive?

If your line runs a 365-405 nm LED-curable adhesive, yes, the SkyWand cures the same chemistries cordlessly. Order the wand at the wavelength your line uses and it becomes your rework and field companion.

Will a wand cure match my bench cure?

Same chemistry, different delivery: the wand's 0.9 W/cm² over a 15 mm spot differs from a bench guide's irradiance and geometry, so exposure times won't transfer one-to-one. Re-verify the handheld dose with a radiometer and a first-article pull test.

Can a quote include accessories?

Yes, quotes can bundle whatever the process needs: spare Li-ion packs for the SkyWand, light guides, replacement UV1866 lamp cartridges for the SunSpot 2, and eyewear. One request, one itemized quote.

Do you offer volume pricing on wands?

Yes, volume discounts and tiered pricing apply on multi-unit and OEM orders. Equipping a whole service team with SkyWands is a common request; tell us the quantity on your quote.

Is OEM pricing available?

Yes, all three systems have OEM pricing tiers for volume and integration purchases. Request a quote with your projected quantities and our team will respond within one business day.

How fast do the systems ship?

All three ship from stock in 24-48 hours from West Springfield, MA. Order today and your system dispatches this week.

Who manufactures these systems?

Uvitron International, based in West Springfield, Massachusetts, manufactures the SunSpot 2, SkyBeam, and SkyWand. UV Spot Shop is a US-based supplier, we stock, sell, and support them domestically.

Can I read the manuals before buying?

Yes, the SkyWand operation manual and brochure are free downloads, and every spec on our compare page comes straight from the manufacturers' instruction manuals. Read first, quote second.

Where can I compare full specs side by side?

Our compare page puts the SunSpot 2, SkyBeam, and SkyWand in one table, source, output, control, power, and in-the-box contents, with every value taken from the manufacturers' manuals. You can toggle any two systems for a head-to-head view.

Still torn, who can help me choose?

Our US-based application engineers. Tell us your adhesive, substrate, and cycle time on a quote request and we'll point you to the right system and setup, with a written quote back within one business day.

Which system needs the least training?

The SkyWand, one switch, no settings, no warm-up. The SunSpot 2 adds a timer, shutter, and lamp handling; the SkyBeam adds per-channel programming. Simplicity is a real selection criterion when many techs share the tool.

Are replacement parts easy to get?

Yes, we stock replacement lamps (like the SunSpot 2's UV1866 cartridge), original SkyWand batteries and chargers, and eyewear, shipping in 24-48 hours. For the SkyWand, stick to original accessories to keep the warranty intact.

When do I lock in the wavelength choice?

It varies by system. SkyWand: at order time, since the unit is built at 365 or 405 nm; SkyBeam: per channel, via the LED guides you order (and can add later). SunSpot 2: never, its 275-650 nm output covers the bands at once.

Deep cures: LED or arc?

For the deepest sections, the arc, the SunSpot 2's broad spectrum penetrates thick encapsulant and drives cure to roughly 5 mm per pass. Among LEDs, choose 365 nm over 405 nm when through-cure depth is the priority.

Tack-free surfaces: LED or arc?

Surface-inhibited chemistries cure tack-free most reliably under the SunSpot 2's broad-spectrum arc; single-wavelength LEDs can leave those surfaces tacky. If you're committed to LED, pick an adhesive formulated for LED cure, the datasheet will say.

Can I standardize on one wavelength?

If every adhesive datasheet in your shop lists the same band, yes, matching SkyBeam heads and SkyWand units at that wavelength keeps bench and field cures aligned. If chemistries vary widely, a SunSpot 2 on the bench covers the spread.

Outfitting service techs, what should I spec?

One SkyWand per tech at the wavelength your adhesives need, spare original battery packs, and the included case, goggles, and charger cover the rest. Put the full team quantity on one quote for volume pricing.

Only budget for one system, which first?

Buy where your cures actually happen. Mostly fixtured production: SkyBeam (automation) or SunSpot 2 (broad spectrum); mostly rework, oversize parts, or field calls: SkyWand. If it's genuinely mixed, tell us the split on a quote request and we'll help you sequence the purchases.