Help me buy a HID!

[Tassie_Rohan]

I need some suggestions and tips for a decent primary to be used in:

1) Low- to no-vis dives where 2 metres is considered a really good day: I’m hoping a tightly focused beam is going to help me cut through the murk?

2) Night dives in gin-clear water. What are peoples experiences with 18-21 watt HIDs: do you spook all the critters on night dives? With adjustable lights does putting the beam on the broadest/least focused setting help avoid scattering the wildlife?

3) My upcoming cave diver courses.

I’m considering the Diverite 21 W HID: anyone had any good or bad experiences with this light? My biggest concern is reliability. Other suggestions, tips and self-promotions are more than welcome. My dive buddies (with 10 watt HIDs) suggest 21 watts is simply too much - but I’m quite partial to overkill…. I'd love to hear other peoples experiences..

Cheers,
Rohan.

 

[JeffG]

I need some suggestions and tips for a decent primary for:

1) Low- to no-vis dives where 2 metres is considered a really good day: I’m hoping a tightly focused beam is going to help me cut through the murk?

2) Night dives in gin-clear water. What are peoples experiences with 18-21 watt HIDs: do you spook all the critters on night dives. With adjustable lights does putting the beam on the broadest/least focused setting help avoid scattering the wildlife?

3) My upcoming cave diver courses.

I’m considering the Diverite 21 W HID: anyone had any good or bad experiences with this light? My biggest concern is reliability. Other suggestions, tips and self-promotions are more than welcome. My dive buddies (with 10 watt HIDs) suggest 21 watts is simply too much - but I’m quite partial to overkill…. I'd love to hear other peoples experiences..

Cheers,
Rohan.

www.salvodiving.com

Once you get a 21W...your buddies will follow. 10W hids just don't compare to 18/21W Hids

 

[aquaoren]

www.salvodiving.com

Once you get a 21W...your buddies will follow. 10W hids just don't compare to 18/21W Hids

Yeah, this will be the way to go for me too.
I'm considering upgrading my Halcyon 4.5/10W in the future. I'll be looking into Salvo lights too as all people report that they are very robust and reliable.

 

[OE2X]

Go with the 21W you won't be sorry. I have a 10W and would prefer to have a 21.

For critters - cover the front of your light with your hand and let just a little difused light come between your fingers. That way they don't fry with the full force of the light. I used to carry a Q40 strapped to the handle until I flooded it. That works too.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Thanks for the advice – looking at the Salvo light (I’ll do a search on them soon) is the beam fixed or adjustable?

Only concern with the Salvo is getting spare parts somewhere in Asia or Australia: I'd prefer to buy a light through a local dealer in case it needs repairs at some point.

Cheers,
Rohan.

 

[jonnythan]

The only problem with getting a 21w is that your buddies will want to upgrade.

The Salvo lights are all focusable. There are no "local dealers" AFAIK, since it's more or less one guy starting up a business in Florida. He seems to be accomodating and easy to work with, though. Send him (Barry Miller) an email asking about parts and service.

 

[Mar Scuba]

The only problem with getting a 21w is that your buddies will want to upgrade.

The Salvo lights are all focusable. There are no "local dealers" AFAIK, since it's more or less one guy starting up a business in Florida. He seems to be accomodating and easy to work with, though. Send him (Barry Miller) an email asking about parts and service.

Mar Scuba in Tokyo, Japan is signing up to be a dealer for Salvo.

Barry makes a top notch product and we are proud to be able to sell Salvo gear.

Rohan-There is EMS (Express Mail Service) delivery available to Mongolia.

Once you see the 21W compared to the 10W...well, you will be able to make up your mind instantly.

Cheers,

 

[JeffG]

There are no "local dealers" AFAIK

Thats changing fast. There are two dealers in Alberta for his lights now.

 

[jonnythan]

Thats changing fast. There are two dealers in Alberta for his lights now.

Nice. And I just remembered that NTD in Kingston is selling his lights too.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Thanks for everyone’s endorsement of the Salvos - the list has narrowed (expanded?) to Salvos and Diverite. Both seem to be robust, well designed and reliable (as should be for a $1000 torch...). Anyone want to have their 2 cents worth on Diverite HIDs?

Cheers,
Rohan.

Only 35 hours and 25 minutes before I’m on the plane to Mabul/Sipadan! Not that I'm counting...