Going by my convoluted thread title, you probably gathered that I have a mixed bag of questions. I just read a comment referring to the advancements dive lights have made just since 2010, and then i think back to the big, badass (and heavy) Dive Right canister light I had back in the mid 90's, that cost me a buttload (in inflation adjusted dollars, probably more than DR primaries go for now, so they do seem to have gotten a bit more economical).
I've been reading up on what's-what these days, with an eye towards possibly getting back into the caves at some point, and I keep reading about all the little hustles and schemes the various companies employ, from exaggerated lumens, to knowingly flawed designs and batteries, to seriously over-driven LED's, to inconsistently honored warranties, etc.etc. (all of which adds risk, and takes a lot of the fun out of shopping).
I'm also wondering if they're getting close to peak performance with current technology, materials and designs, or if there's still a lot of room for advancement? Now obviously, no one needs,say, a billion lumens, but stuff like more reliable switches, especially for multiple modes, and foolproof water-proofing would be nice.
So I'm just thinking about the pros and cons of dropping a major pile of cash on the current technology, and the likelihood (or not) of it being obsolete in the not-too-distant future (well, maybe not quite obsolete, but where I'd be thinking, "damn ! I wish I'd have waited a little longer"!).
Or do you think without a major technology leap, we're close to as good as they can get (sure, they might stretch battery life a little more, but I can't imagine they'll do anything like doubling or tripling current output, on current technology).
OK, enough babbling, y'all get the idea. So what do you light-brainiacs think ?
I've been reading up on what's-what these days, with an eye towards possibly getting back into the caves at some point, and I keep reading about all the little hustles and schemes the various companies employ, from exaggerated lumens, to knowingly flawed designs and batteries, to seriously over-driven LED's, to inconsistently honored warranties, etc.etc. (all of which adds risk, and takes a lot of the fun out of shopping).
I'm also wondering if they're getting close to peak performance with current technology, materials and designs, or if there's still a lot of room for advancement? Now obviously, no one needs,say, a billion lumens, but stuff like more reliable switches, especially for multiple modes, and foolproof water-proofing would be nice.
So I'm just thinking about the pros and cons of dropping a major pile of cash on the current technology, and the likelihood (or not) of it being obsolete in the not-too-distant future (well, maybe not quite obsolete, but where I'd be thinking, "damn ! I wish I'd have waited a little longer"!).
Or do you think without a major technology leap, we're close to as good as they can get (sure, they might stretch battery life a little more, but I can't imagine they'll do anything like doubling or tripling current output, on current technology).
OK, enough babbling, y'all get the idea. So what do you light-brainiacs think ?