ArcticDiver
Contributor
I'm doing this critique/feedback publicly because it is by and large positive.
I have a new LED500 light with the optional extension. I didn't use the extension on the last trip, mainly because the flap on the pouch the setup comes with has the cord cutout on the wrong side. When mounted on the right side of the body, where I usually carry my can light, the cutout is to the rear thus forcing the cord to the rear and over the flap. In surface tests the cord distorted the flap and in one case tore it loose enough I feared losing the light. If the cutout were to the front the setup would be perfect.
As for the light itself: It is the best LED light I've ever used. Now, I own an LED700 that hasn't been in the water yet so maybe it will be better. But, this LED500 is very good. LEDs by and large have trouble penetrating obsurations like all the stuff one finds floating in the water. The LED500 handles obscurations very well. Not as well as a HID light; but very well.
I'd heard comments that battery life was poor. That wasn't my experience at all. After about 10 hours use the light appears as bright as the first hour. Of course how the light appears to the eye isn't a true measure. But, for this purpose it is good enough.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the light. Change the cord cutout on the pouch and, as far as I'm concerned you have the best LED on the market.
(Why both the LED500 and the LED700? I upgraded my old 10W HID to the LED700. But I wanted a light that didn't need a recharger for some of my trips where adequate electricity isn't available. With AA disposable batteries the LED500 fit the bill)
I have a new LED500 light with the optional extension. I didn't use the extension on the last trip, mainly because the flap on the pouch the setup comes with has the cord cutout on the wrong side. When mounted on the right side of the body, where I usually carry my can light, the cutout is to the rear thus forcing the cord to the rear and over the flap. In surface tests the cord distorted the flap and in one case tore it loose enough I feared losing the light. If the cutout were to the front the setup would be perfect.
As for the light itself: It is the best LED light I've ever used. Now, I own an LED700 that hasn't been in the water yet so maybe it will be better. But, this LED500 is very good. LEDs by and large have trouble penetrating obsurations like all the stuff one finds floating in the water. The LED500 handles obscurations very well. Not as well as a HID light; but very well.
I'd heard comments that battery life was poor. That wasn't my experience at all. After about 10 hours use the light appears as bright as the first hour. Of course how the light appears to the eye isn't a true measure. But, for this purpose it is good enough.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the light. Change the cord cutout on the pouch and, as far as I'm concerned you have the best LED on the market.
(Why both the LED500 and the LED700? I upgraded my old 10W HID to the LED700. But I wanted a light that didn't need a recharger for some of my trips where adequate electricity isn't available. With AA disposable batteries the LED500 fit the bill)