Info New Dive Rite lights - CX3 and ??

[mr_v]

I looked at the lights in person and I am split on the decision.

FX 40 looked nice, but I couldn't turn it on/off easily. My UWLD light and heat controller use the same switch type but are easier to use. The soft strap that comes with FX 40 is a joke. However, the beam seemed to be tight. I like the light design, too.

CX3 is a winner here. I liked the light and will probably buy it soon. Everything about that light was good - the form factor, the external charge capability, light performance.

My biggest concern is the number of chargers I need to own to support all diving gear. I wish there was one to rule them all.

 

[lexvil]

I looked at the lights in person and I am split on the decision.

FX 40 looked nice, but I couldn't turn it on/off easily. My UWLD light and heat controller use the same switch type but are easier to use. The soft strap that comes with FX 40 is a joke. However, the beam seemed to be tight. I like the light design, too.

CX3 is a winner here. I liked the light and will probably buy it soon. Everything about that light was good - the form factor, the external charge capability, light performance.

My biggest concern is the number of chargers I need to own to support all diving gear. I wish there was one to rule them all.

I’ve found the cx3 to be an excellent light, the charging issue can be solved with a battery with the built in charge port for usb-c or a regular multi battery charger if you forget the charge cable but I agree it would be nice to not have to deal with multi charging systems.

 

[PEDiver]

FX 40 looked nice, but I couldn't turn it on/off easily. My UWLD light and heat controller use the same switch type but are easier to use. The soft strap that comes with FX 40 is a joke. However, the beam seemed to be tight. I like the light design, too.

Was recently in cave country and stopped by CCDS to check out the FX40. It looks really nice and the form factor isn't bad for a handheld primary, but I hated the on/off piezo button because, like you said, it wasn't easy to operate. That was an immediate turnoff for me as someone who has been using the LX20 for a while now (when I'm not using my canister light). If they can improve the piezo button performance, I think they have a winner to replace the LX20.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I looked at the lights in person and I am split on the decision.

FX 40 looked nice, but I couldn't turn it on/off easily. My UWLD light and heat controller use the same switch type but are easier to use. The soft strap that comes with FX 40 is a joke. However, the beam seemed to be tight. I like the light design, too.

CX3 is a winner here. I liked the light and will probably buy it soon. Everything about that light was good - the form factor, the external charge capability, light performance.

My biggest concern is the number of chargers I need to own to support all diving gear. I wish there was one to rule them all.

I’ve found the cx3 to be an excellent light, the charging issue can be solved with a battery with the built in charge port for usb-c or a regular multi battery charger if you forget the charge cable but I agree it would be nice to not have to deal with multi charging systems.

I'm really liking the CX3. It provides quite a bit more punch than my Big Blue 1200NP, seems to be incredible durable (at least so far), and I really like the external charging.

 

[lexvil]

I'm really liking the CX3. It provides quite a bit more punch than my Big Blue 1200NP, seems to be incredible durable (at least so far), and I really like the external charging.

I like the external charging too, it does last a long time, I used it on 4 night dives last week without charging.

 

[stuartv]

I still have not taken my CX3 or FX40 in the water. But, I will be diving with them every day next week. w00t! w00t!

The piezo button on the FX40 doesn't bother me at all. I am able to turn it on very reliably (in my living room...). For real-world use, I think I would only be taking the FX40 in the water if it was going to be my primary for the dive and be turned on for the whole dive.

So, turn it on at the very start and then leave it on. If it takes even 2 or 3 tries to turn it on, no big deal, to me.

The way it works is because (my understanding, anyway) Dive Rite didn't want to make it work like the UWLD piezo. One long press would make it too easy to turn on by accident. The double tap deal makes it virtually accident-proof (according to DR) as far as not turning on by accident.

The soft handle that came with it does not impress me, but then I don't like any soft handles that I have seen. I bought a hard handle for it and I also got the QRM striker plate for my CX3, so I can mount either light on the same hard handle. That seems like it could be extra convenient if the FX40 dies during a dive. Take the FX40 off the handle and stow it, then pull out the CX3 and put it in the same spot on the hard handle. End the dive still having to hold a light body in my hand. Still able to use the thumb loop on the hard handle if I'm scootering.

For chargers, I seem to have all my bases covered by having an Xtar 4-bay that will accommodate 21700 cells, plus a couple of high-powered wall warts with USB output and a few USB-C cables. Well, and the Sony charger for my camera batteries.

Remembering to pack and bring the external charging cable for the CX3 is just a bonus.

 

[stuartv]

For you that have the CX3, how does the LED on the on/off button work when you're charging the light?

I connected the magnetic charging cable the other night and the LED turned Red. I assumed that meant it was charging.

The next morning it was still Red.

I removed the charging cable, the LED turned off, and then I turned the light on. The LED turned a solid Green.

So, does a solid Red when it's connected to the charger mean that it is fully charged?

I looked on the DR site and it doesn't say. I emailed DR Support on Tuesday and haven't gotten an answer.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

For you that have the CX3, how does the LED on the on/off button work when you're charging the light?

I connected the magnetic charging cable the other night and the LED turned Red. I assumed that meant it was charging.

The next morning it was still Red.

I removed the charging cable, the LED turned off, and then I turned the light on. The LED turned a solid Green.

So, does a solid Red when it's connected to the charger mean that it is fully charged?

I looked on the DR site and it doesn't say. I emailed DR Support on Tuesday and haven't gotten an answer.

Red when charging, green when finished. I’ve not had mine stay red for an excessively long period of time. It has always turned green when the charging was finished.

 

[stuartv]

Red when charging, green when finished. I’ve not had mine stay red for an excessively long period of time. It has always turned green when the charging was finished.

Well.... that is what I was expecting to happen. Hmmmm....

 

[stuartv]

I just found a video review of the CX3 by John Bentley.

He shows that the inside of the cardboard sleeve that comes around the outside of the light's case has the "owner's manual" printed on the inside. I didn't notice that with mine and discarded that sleeve immediately when I got the light. It says on there that the LED turns red when charging and green when it's fully charged.

Okay, so that's official.

I have just put my CX3 in a bucket of water, turned on High. I'm going to let it run for a while and then try putting it back on the charger to see if it will then charge for a while and eventually turn green.