Canister dive light

[Loui1985]

Hello everyone! I’m looking to buy my first canister light and while browsing around I noticed that some models come in “Standard” or “Sidemount”. Can anyone tell me what’s the difference?

I usually dive a halcyon carbon fibre backplate and wing when in a group and I sidemount (Hollis Katana 2) when I go solo; I get that the “sidemount” version of the light is probably specifically designed for that, but would I be able to wear a “standard” version even in my sidemount configuration?

Hope this makes sense, thanks a lot for your help

 

[rongoodman]

It has to do with how the cord exits to top of the canister. Sidemount canister lights are usually mounted horizontally behind you, so as not to interfere with your cylinders. The cord leaves the cannister with a 90 degree adapter, which improves how it routes to your hand. It might be a couple of inches longer too.

 

[grantctobin]

You can use a side gland light in BM (albeit the cord is likely long) and SM (e.g UWLD). However, the vast majority of top gland cords are too short to butt mount in sidemount. If you wear the canister light in same waist position for SM and BM, it does not matter.

 

[DogDiver]

Cut the cord! With today’s battery and light technology, go cordless.

 

[grantctobin]

Cut the cord! With today’s battery and light technology, go cordless.

Except when you need the burn time, be it for one dive a day or two. Even better, when you don’t want to drop the handheld inadvertently.

Handhelds have come a long way in the past decade, but corded lights continue to be the status quo.

 

[Gone for diving]

Except when you need the burn time, be it for one dive a day or two.

What did the do in the old days?

They had halagons and lead acid batteries, neither are very good to have all your eggs in one basket,

Even better, when you don’t want to drop the handheld inadvertently.

That is one advantage that I can see,

Handhelds have come a long way in the past decade,
but corded lights continue to be the status quo.

When I started diving one of the first things I built,
ABS pipe, cord, machined a light head for 50 watt halogen,
So badly wanted HID,
I am so glad skipped over that technology,

Now it's a cordless light with 2 x 32650
Batteries, it amazing, no cords, and crazy run times,
Only reason for a canister is for heated suit or something like that,

 

[grantctobin]

What did the do in the old days?

They had halagons and lead acid batteries, neither are very good to have all your eggs in one basket,


That is one advantage that I can see,



When I started diving one of the first things I built,
ABS pipe, cord, machined a light head for 50 watt halogen,
So badly wanted HID,
I am so glad skipped over that technology,

Now it's a cordless light with 2 x 32650
Batteries, it amazing, no cords, and crazy run times,
Only reason for a canister is for heated suit or something like that,

I’m not sure what relevance the 50W halogens of yore have on modern light election. How long are your personal cave dives @Rol diy ? How long is the burn time on your 2*32650? What % of capacity do you use?

Full disclosure for cave dives with intro certified teammates, something like an LM SF2000 is adequate. This is not the case for multistage or rebreather cave diving.

 

[Gone for diving]

Except when you need the burn time, be it for one dive a day or two.

Sorry I think I miss read this,
I thought you meant 1or 2 days, not 2 dives,
My bad,

My point was for longer burn times
More batteries are needed,
We are not nearly as use to bulbs burning out, so we get dependent on a large primary light that never fails,
I think at some point with crazy burn times, you might as well have multiple lites,

My light
1.75hr high
4 hr medium
16 hr low
I usually only use low its quite impressive,
I always dive with 2 lights, both sit on my shoulder straps, until I need them,
Switching to cordless has been the best thing,

No I do not normally dive caves,
( not certified )

 

[tbone1004]

You can use a side gland light in BM (albeit the cord is likely long) and SM (e.g UWLD). However, the vast majority of top gland cords are too short to butt mount in sidemount. If you wear the canister light in same waist position for SM and BM, it does not matter.

Agreed, I only use side glands these days. No issues when diving in backmount since the cord is crossing your chest anyway. I have 2x big boy lights from @Bobby both LD40x160wh. One is the standard cord length for use in doubles and the other is a custom length *I even have a special mark on his bench!*. When I use the long cord with doubles the cable crosses behind the backplate and runs up the channel between the doubles and comes out over my left shoulder which works really well so you can use both. I butt mount my canister which is why the cable is so long but you can use a normal length cord sidemounted if you put it in the small of your back like Edd does.

 

[Wibble]

Cut the cord! With today’s battery and light technology, go cordless.

And drop them into Neptune's Locker. He loves shiny stuff and especially loves expensive stuff with good brand names.

Or, with a canister light, as you're switching gasses or whatever and accidentally knock the torch or the boltsnap tie fails, it falls down and is stopped by the cord.

That alone makes it worth it. That a canister light lasts a whole weekend without charging is a Billy bonus.