Brightstar Darkbuster HID

[Narcd_dvr]

Has anyone ever used this light? I'm thinking of getting one, but I'd like to know how it performs compared to other 21 or 24HID lights.

 

[Scub Dub]

I had the 24W version. Brightest thing I ever saw underwater.

 

[Falco]

The beam from a 21W Darkbuster is not as focused as the tightest setting on my Salvo 21W, it also has a shorter burn time. It's a rather big handheld underwater light, it's pretty comparable in size to a UK D8.

 

[Narcd_dvr]

Thanks for the feedback. I'd much prefer using getting the Salvo, but I don't really know where to attach batteries on my Zeagle Ranger.

 

[Scub Dub]

The beam from a 21W Darkbuster is not as focused as the tightest setting on my Salvo 21W, it also has a shorter burn time. It's a rather big handheld underwater light, it's pretty comparable in size to a UK D8.

Yeah, but the Salvo is 3 times the price!
Obviously, if you compare a $300 light with a $1000+ light you're going to see quite a difference.
I'd love a Salvo too, by the way!

 

[micbu]

It is so easy to focus the Darkbuster!
Just put a 1.8mm aluminium ring between the bulb and the reflector and you will have a pefectly focussed light! That is something we always do before we deliver those lights.

Michael

 

[Falco]

Thanks for the feedback. I'd much prefer using getting the Salvo, but I don't really know where to attach batteries on my Zeagle Ranger.

It's quite simple, there is a diver who is currently using a Ranger and a Salvo 21W. He just uses the lower camband to mount the cannister inverted. When I got my Salvo, I still was using a LDS Ranger so I used an empty weight belt to mount the cannister, you can feel it a little but when you turn it on underwater and see that bright beam of light the discomfort suddenly disappears

 

[budgy]

I own a Darkbuster, I've never used any other 21 watt or 24 watt HID. Where I live the 21 watt and 24 watt cost the same. The 24 watt comes with a very wide beam for photographers and the 21 watt is narrower. I tried both and I took the 21 watt, I preferred the narrower beam focus for better distance penetration, I find it wide enough for decent coverage. I found the 21 watt has a bluer light and the 24 watt light was more yellow. Although the torch is about the same size as a D8 in the water the Darkbuster is practically weightless. As dive lights go, the Darkbuster retails for near enough the same price as a rechargeable UK D8 or light cannon and has comparable build quality, but its far more powerful. Obviously this is not a torch built for the extreme diver. For the moderate depth non deco diver I think it's currently the best light you can buy in its price range. Its quite quick to recharge and I can also recharge it from my car. I've used a Darkbuster regularly in the 30-40m range, as a dive light it is a considerably improvement over the D8 and the light cannon I previoulsy used. I find the burn time of a single charge is more than adequate for 2 single cylinder dives of +-40min dives.