Ikelite PCa & PC Lite

[dlndavid]

I want to get a small primary dive light for night diving in warm clear tropical water, to be used a 2,4 maybe 6 times a year. I plan to do my AOW (adventures in diving) certification while on vacation next year. I have read the entire "lights" forum and found many good inputs and advice. So here is my question.
I already have the Ikelite PC Lite and would like to get the PCa as a primary dive light and the PC Lite for a backup. I want a small set up for travel and for diving "lite" (weight). I read alot of concerns that many of the larger lights using C & D size batteries can be quite bright, defeating the purpose of night diving, especially when in clear tropical water. Will the PCa be sufficient for a night dive light primary, for the conditions I have outlined?
Any thoughts appreciated.
David

 

[DJ69]

I think that the purpose of night diving is to be able to see some of the fish and other sea creatures who come out at night and not during the day. If your light is too small, you will not be able to light the scene good enoght for you to be able to locate lot's of what is there.
For my primery light I use a Ikelite RCD (rechrgeble), true it's big but it does the job. My current backup light is a new 44 led model from FantaSea (www.fantasea.com) that I also use with my digi camera.
If you ask me, both the PC & PCa are nice as backup lights. not more.

 

[redacted]

I think you will find that the PCa lite is somewhat brighter than your PC lite. Those 6 AA bat drive it pretty hard but will have shorter bat life than the 4 Cs in the PC lite. I use the PC lite and or a 4D cell light as a primary for warm tropical night diving and the PCa for backup. I often use the PCa in the daytime for peeking into dark spots.

 

[dlndavid]

I think you will find that the PCa lite is somewhat brighter than your PC lite. Those 6 AA bat drive it pretty hard but will have shorter bat life than the 4 Cs in the PC lite. I use the PC lite and or a 4D cell light as a primary for warm tropical night diving and the PCa for backup. I often use the PCa in the daytime for peeking into dark spots.

I was fooled by the color at LP, I have the PCa using 6 AA batteries (in blue, LP's picture is in yellow). I want to buy and use the PC lite with 4 C size batteries (in blue at LP) as my primary. This combo looks OK as a primary and backup set.
PCa
http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.a...dex=6&CategoryID=972&Context=965&Filter=1=293

PC Lite
http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.a...dex=7&CategoryID=972&Context=965&Filter=1=293

 

[HMan]

Hi,
Just for your information, we are now launching wonderful new LED lights, you can consider any of these
http://www.fantasea.com/email/led_april05.htm

Howard from Fantasea Line

I want to get a small primary dive light for night diving in warm clear tropical water, to be used a 2,4 maybe 6 times a year. I plan to do my AOW (adventures in diving) certification while on vacation next year. I have read the entire "lights" forum and found many good inputs and advice. So here is my question.
I already have the Ikelite PC Lite and would like to get the PCa as a primary dive light and the PC Lite for a backup. I want a small set up for travel and for diving "lite" (weight). I read alot of concerns that many of the larger lights using C & D size batteries can be quite bright, defeating the purpose of night diving, especially when in clear tropical water. Will the PCa be sufficient for a night dive light primary, for the conditions I have outlined?
Any thoughts appreciated.
David

 

[boxcar]

I think you will find that the PCa lite is somewhat brighter than your PC lite. Those 6 AA bat drive it pretty hard but will have shorter bat life than the 4 Cs in the PC lite. I use the PC lite and or a 4D cell light as a primary for warm tropical night diving and the PCa for backup. I often use the PCa in the daytime for peeking into dark spots.

FWIW
I tried the PC, PCa and PCm and bought the PCa for the combination of brightness + relative size (small)...The PC was good, but PCa was brighter, the PCm (4AA) looked ok (bright), but no lockable switch, which was a deal breaker for me, and short burn time.

I recently used the PCa as a primary light on a night dive in clear tropical waters (as mentioned by the OP)...found it adequate, but barely, I'll be getting something a bit bigger as a primary for my next night dive.

 

[Charlie99]

I recently used the PCa as a primary light on a night dive in clear tropical waters (as mentioned by the OP)...found it adequate, but barely, I'll be getting something a bit bigger as a primary for my next night dive.

It depends somewhat on what other divers around you are using. If your buddy is using a 50W halogen or an HID light, then the PCa isn't going to cut it since your eyes will adapt to the brighter light. When using very bright lights, however, you won't see much outside of the beam.

I find the 7.2 watt PCa more than adequate for a primary in clear tropical waters, and at the same time, it isn't so excessively bright that you are blind outside of the beam. I often carry this a step further and do at least a portion of the dive with just a 0.4 watt 2 AAA light.

Charlie

 

[ScubaSarus]

The UK 4c light is one of my favorites