11 replies to this topic

[Diverbrian]

The story is this:

I have a dive light (HID canister) that has spent nearly as much time with the manufacturer as it has with me. Next year, I will be in a position to be able to replace it.

I would like recommendations on a canister light that is effective and less delicate than my current model. I will likely order it online, so the brand should not be an issue. I would like an adjustable beam, but that isn't required.

I have some ideas, but I thought that this would be an interesting topic to talk about and I may pick up some information that I was not initially looking for.

[diverdeb]

The story is this:

I have a dive light (HID canister) that has spent nearly as much time with the manufacturer as it has with me. Next year, I will be in a position to be able to replace it.

I would like recommendations on a canister light that is effective and less delicate than my current model. I will likely order it online, so the brand should not be an issue. I would like an adjustable beam, but that isn't required.

I have some ideas, but I thought that this would be an interesting topic to talk about and I may pick up some information that I was not initially looking for.

If you want durable, take a look at Salvo. The owner was showing a light to one of my buddies and took the light head and actually banged it on the counter!

Immediately everyone looked at me and said, Debbie . . . here's your next light! (I tend to be a little hard on lights).

[PerroneFord]

Well, without knowing what you have...

I have a Salvo, all my (regular) dive buddies have Salvos, and I don't recommend anything but Salvos. What does that tell you?

[ScubaDadMiami]

I would definitely look into making the switch over to LED instead of HID. The technology is to the point where it is well worth it.

Salvo, BubbleSeekers (one word) and Dive Rite would be three good candidates to check out. One thing that is cool about the DR is that it can quickly convert to a hand-held version. If you are traveling, where weight of your gear can get to be an issue, take the light as a hand-held version, and don't bring batteries. Buy some AA batteries at your location, use your light, chuck the batteries, and return home.

[bottomtime]

SALVO SALVO SALVO
are my top three choices if going above 10w, I still think hid is the choice for $$ spent ,,if you are looking at a 10w hid or LED
go salvo LED when my 10w hid's,, die the will be replaced w/ led's from Salvo
I have 2 of the 3w salvo rats and 1, 2w rat jr and they are durable bright and shine when needed

[Diverbrian]

I have had issues in the past with LED. I use one for a back-up light. Water seemed to suck away that wavelength of light on me. In other words, it looked bright on land and then seemed provide very little light underwater.

I assume that this has been corrected. I love my HID except the delicate nature of such an expensive piece of equipment. IMHO, delicate and expensive are two words that should not go together in diving.

[PerroneFord]

IMHO, delicate and expensive are two words that should not go together in diving

Which is why I was mystified at Halcyon's and Dive Rite's insistence on using the Welch Allyn bulb.

[BubbleBoy]

I have had issues in the past with LED. I use one for a back-up light. Water seemed to suck away that wavelength of light on me. In other words, it looked bright on land and then seemed provide very little light underwater.

DiverBrian,

The attenuation problem you are describing is unfortunately characteristic of LED light. It tends to be more diffuse. Also, the power rating of prior LED emitters was lower, so, you had to put a bunch of them in one light head to get the lumens you want. That tends to make the light even more scattered and difficult to focus into a single beam.

The new lights by Salvo and others are based on a single LED emitter with much higher power than the old ones. Actually, these high power emitters are just a bunch of 1W emitters all crammed together more closely on a single chip. Nonetheless, that does help to improve the ability to focus the light with a reflector and maintain intensity of the light for longer distances in water.

I don’t know if you spotted my prior post #226702 about the conversion I did on my HID light to LED. I’m going to field test this project for the first time at Dutch Springs this weekend. I’ll let you know how that works out. If you are really going to dump your HID light, maybe this could be an option for you.

[Diverbrian]

I have had issues in the past with LED. I use one for a back-up light. Water seemed to suck away that wavelength of light on me. In other words, it looked bright on land and then seemed provide very little light underwater.

DiverBrian,

The attenuation problem you are describing is unfortunately characteristic of LED light. It tends to be more diffuse. Also, the power rating of prior LED emitters was lower, so, you had to put a bunch of them in one light head to get the lumens you want. That tends to make the light even more scattered and difficult to focus into a single beam.

The new lights by Salvo and others are based on a single LED emitter with much higher power than the old ones. Actually, these high power emitters are just a bunch of 1W emitters all crammed together more closely on a single chip. Nonetheless, that does help to improve the ability to focus the light with a reflector and maintain intensity of the light for longer distances in water.

I don’t know if you spotted my prior post #226702 about the conversion I did on my HID light to LED. I’m going to field test this project for the first time at Dutch Springs this weekend. I’ll let you know how that works out. If you are really going to dump your HID light, maybe this could be an option for you.

To be honest, I need to see some diving results on LED lights to be convinced.

The issue isn't me not appreciating HID light. I absolutely love it. It is simply that my current one goes in for repair way too often (boat diving will do that ). The issue is that I have heard rumors that some manufacturers are not leaving me a choice of an HID light anymore.

I will look forward to your report on your LED light. I have time before I buy .

[ScubaDadMiami]

I have done in-water, side-by-side comparisons. LED technology is now to the point where there is little difference between the beams. There are some slight differences. However, unless holding side-by-side, you won't notice.

[Bubble2Bubble]

Brian,
You might want to look into a canister/battery pack light that has a head lamp or miners lamp, something you can attach to your hood, mask strap or bcd harness and has a bright bulb HID, LED etc.. that way you can dive hands free and still see where you are going/doing. I have been looking for something like this myself because working on cables and straps underwater while holding a primary light makes working underwater alot harder.

my 2 psi

Mike

[Diverbrian]

Mike,

Your input is appreciated with that thought. The problem with head mounted lights is they are far more difficult to light signals with your dive buddies. Also are more likely to get in your dive buddy's eyes when you are looking at them.

The cord is a bit of a PITA. We could include cord management ideas in the thread .

Thanks,

Brian