The size of your dive light beam......?

[GoingScuba]

I am a recreational diver that dives a lot of wrecks and occasionally reefs. I was wondering what seem to be the choice of dive lights and more importantly the size of the beam. I have been looking at these Intova torches and seem to be very very popular. I am undecided between a more concentrated beam and a wide beam.
the concentrated beam seems to be more brighter. Also, whawt typoe of bulb is preferred in what condition. LED, halagon, etc...night or day?

Any thoughts?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

If you're diving inside of wrecks you definitely do not want a wide beam. Think what happens when your bubbles dislodge rust and accumulated particles on the ceilings and walls of a wreck. Suspended particles will cause a wide beam to become useless in no time.

A concentrated beam is much better.

I purchased a pair of the Intova wide-beam lights a couple years back ... they rather quickly became camping lights ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[fnfalman]

I like the wide beam for night diving because it doesn't scare the animals away as much as one with a really bright, focused beam. But they're pretty much useless during the day time though.

So, during the day I carry a small focused flashlight like the Intova Nova. At night I carry the Intova Nova and the black color body Intova with the wide beam. I'd use the wide beam for looking around and if I were to need to focus on something then I'd switch the other on.

I'm not a cave or wreck penetration diver, so I don't have a use for death ray beams that the cannister lights put out.

As far as what sort of bulb, right now LED is the "in" thing. It's bright yet doesn't suck up a lot of juice and pretty durable. The halogen is pretty much going the way of the dinosaur. HID is still alive and well because it offers a very hot spot that LED can't quite match yet. But HID is more expensive and rather fragile, not to mention that you can't really use it for long above water before it heats up.

 

[TSandM]

For sheer "punch" through murky water, the LED lights just aren't up there with the HIDs yet. They have a lot of good qualities for night diving and cave diving, but not anything where the viz may be low.

I agree with Bob -- you want a sharply focused light. There is enough "spill" around the focused beams to light your surroundings well, but the sharp beam allows you to communicate and keep track of buddies even in very low viz.

 

[Crush]

Do you dive outside of wrecks, or inside them? Once you go to an overhead environment / confined space and like it, you might consider saving up money for an HID canister light (approx. $1000 and up).

For diving wrecks (non-penetration) or reefs in the day, I find the Intova to be small, handy, and unobtrusive enough that it I actually bring it and sometimes an happy with what it allows me to see. Also, if your buddy and you are tight and he/she has a bigger light, you can "mooch" off their light source for viewing while maintaining the Intova for your use and as a backup. I found that the Intova was adequate for night dives, but my buddy's 8 C-cell pistol grip LED was far better - I eventually bought one.

I'd love to get an HID canister, but right now: (1) I don't need to; and (2) don't want to spend the money.

 

[Teamcasa]

Unless you are going into a cave or penetrating a wreck, a nice bright LED works very well. LED's have come a long way and are improving everyday. I use both LED and Xenon lights with focusable lamp heads.

 

[GoingScuba]

Thanks for the replies. Since I dont go inside wrecks and most of my dives are doing the day. I have yet to do a night daive but plan on it. also, I am not willing to spend $100 on a light. I think I will purchase the NEW Intova Compact torch for only $40.00. They seem to be selling fast.

 

[sabbath999]

I prefer narrow beams, with one exception. When I am shooting video, I go for really wide lights.

 

[eelnoraa]

I also prefer narrow bean, especially when you are talking about small handheld LED. You really don't get too much light with Intova Wide bean. It would be OK if you dive in clear high viz water, but anything less, narrow beam version would be much more useful. So I also bring up Dorcy II 220, $49

 

[Damselfish]

In tropical diving, I like a bright narrow beam for looking into holes during the day, and a wider softer beam at night to cover more area and not freak out the night critters. The latter will be mostly useless during the day though.