HID Light Cannon or not?!?

[Dee]

First...thanks everyone for your comments, they really did help with our decision. We bought one of the HID lights for Beast. As Pug mentioned, as a photographer I don't have a third hand plus I don't want bright lights anywhere near me, especially at night, when I am taking pictures. Folks with bright lights always wonder why they don't see fish and creatures at night....DUH!

Beasts main use for the HID will be in our local lake where you lose light at about 30ft. Below that it is totally black, not just low vis. The light has worked great! Time will tell as to how sturdy it is.

 

[Rev. Blade]

My light cannon returned from Underwater Kinetic's customer service department. It was repaired, and the light has gone on all 5 of the 5 times I've tried to turn it on.

On the down side, it was returned with a note saying it had a bad bulb.... It's a small thing, but it bugged me. If they mean the bulb had been bad when they shipped it to me, I would have to agree. It would light sometimes, and not light most of the time. The service person didn't say it was my fault, and they didn't ask for any money for replacing the bulb... but no appology for the light failing to work on my dive trip.

I guess it's petty, on my part. One lesson that I *might* have learned, is to buy gear far enough before a trip to test it before going... or not to count on it straight out of the box.

The light is bright, and I ought to be happy, but somehow I still feel let down.

 

[annie]

I've a Light Cannon that I've never used - I'm wondering do you guys attach it to yourselves or carry it in your hand *all* the time? It seems really heavy to me.

 

[Mo2vation]

When I was using the LC, I had an HD coil lanyard that had a fastex clip and a D-ring type clip (essentially a bolt snap.)

I attached one end of the lanyard to my BC, the other to the handle (the heel of the handle has a hole - I used a 1" SS split ring for this.) The bolt snap clipped to the BC, the fastex buckle held the light close so it wasn't pulling on the coil lanyard.

If you're in open ocean or someplace where you will do no harm, you can always clip it back into the fastex buckle and it'll just dangle. Kinda ugly and creates some drag, but its easy to transport.

Held the light in hand when entering (catching an LC in the grill in a flurry of bubbles as I giant stride into the ocean is below average) and once I get set, unclipped the fastex buckle and hand held the light throughout the dive. if I butterfingered the thing, it would only fall a few feet and I could simply hand over hand the coil lanyard to get it back.

When exiting, clip the fastex and hit the swimstep. No brainer.

Jaye still uses hers. I eBayed mine for a canister recently.

K

 

[caymaniac]

I called LP and ordered a Light Cannon, since I felt the posts were more positive than neg. We don't do alot of night dives or cave dives so I think this will be a good choice for us. We took a look at the Cannon several months ago at a LDS, it sure was brighter than our current dive light, and it is a bit smaller. Now all we have to do is wait for about 8 weeks when we have some dives scheduled.

Dive Safe,
Caymaniac

ps. I also ordered an extra bulb.

 

[annie]

I used my Light cannon at the weekend, it was great! It seems very sturdy.

 

[The Chairman]

in less than a year! This is totally ridiculous and way exspensive! I will be e-baying mine soonly as soon as I replace the stinkin' bulb again.

 

[northeastdiver]

I dive in the Merky waters of NY and trust me it gets dark and thick up here. You really do need a focusable beam. trust me. If You are at 180fsw with 2ft visibility you need a focusable beam for that light saber effect... its the only thing that cuts the muck. Just my opinion. Any replys just drop me a note always looking foir new ideas or opinions.

 

[annie]

I've got an SL4 already . . I didn't really want anything else but I had the good fortune to win the Light Cannon on a scuba website (forget which one). Now I'm figuring out how to get some use out of it. It's overkill for my usual diving, probably not particular good in real murk. Great for night diving of which I do very little at the moment.

 

[wetman]

I've had a light cannon now for a while and went through my first bulb a month or so after i bought the thing. Havent had a problem since. But i did buy the UK case specifically made for the light cannon though. The insert is specifically formed for the light cannon. Its had several waste level drops from backs of trucks etc. Its managed to last through all of those. I'd imagine any hard case that fits would be good (maybe a pelican with the pick and pluck foam). But i have much more confidence now bringing that light on boats etc now that its got its own hard case.

steve