Focusable HID vs Non

[mtsidford]

Hi all, was recently looking to purchase a HID light and a question has come up. Do I purchase one with a focusable head? I was wondering how many people actuallly change their focus while at depth. My two buddies I dive with both have focusable lights and they seem to never change it. I know this is probably more of a preference or what type of diving am I doing question, but I thought I would ask anyway. I was currently looking at the Sartek 10W, but I also like the 10W OMS mini. Any thoughts on this matter would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Boogie711]

I'm not familiar with the beam spread on an OMS mini, but the idea behind focusable isn't entirely the ability to focus, but more the ability to 'thin' the beam down into a powerful, tightly bunched beam. That's better for signalling. A higher spread beam doesn't penetrate very far and is useless for signalling.

 

[Spectre]

The nice thing about the focusable beam is you can adjust it based on your visibility. No point having a focal point 100 feet out when you have 6 feet of vis. Likewise when you try to point something out 50' away, and you are aimed for 6'...

I adjust at the start of most dives, and then occasionally adjust during the dive... perhaps more flood when using the HID to light a photo, or when in overhead.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Sometimes I'll adjust to a flood to look at a critter, to avoid a blinding hot-spot, then adjust back when we continue the dive.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[hantzu701]

had the chance to dive with a focusable 10watt Diveright. My buddy was diving a non-focusable 10watt Diveright. Both had wreck canisters.

I noticed a significant difference with the focusable 10watt light. Even though both lights are 10watt, the focusable seemed to throw a lot more light.

 

[mweitz]

With a non focusable you never have a choice, it is always going to be the same. With a focusable you can use it or not depending on the situation. At least you have the option...

 

[Bobby]

I have the Sartek focusable and it is an excellent light. In the caves if there is a lot of particulate then it is nice to spread the beam to lessen the light bouncing back. I have found though that I no longer change the focus out of fear of flooding. There is a triple o-ring and I do not feel the fear is justified since the light has never flooded. The bulb in the OMS is considerably more fragile than the Sartek so you need to be very carefull not to bump it. The switch on the OMS is a much better design though and the switch on the Sartek is IMHO the weakest link of the light system. If I were to buy another light it would be the Sartek, reason I do most of my diving in caves and like to get into small places that get the light head bumped and banged a good amount. Hope this helps with your purchase decision.

 

[jonnythan]

The bulb in the OMS is considerably more fragile than the Sartek so you need to be very carefull not to bump it.

How so?