individual marker lights-constant or strobe?

[WOODMAN]

Well, folks, I am getting sick of the chemical marker lights, and am about to invest in a couple of battery operated marker lights. I am leaning towards the Aquatec led minilite, but I see that it comes in constant burn or flashing mode. Anyone have an opinion (heavens, no!- not here!) as to which would work better for helping to keep track of your dive buddy? I am drawn towards the strobe model, but I wonder if that would turn out to be irritating after awhile. Anyone have any 'illuminating' thoughts (ahem) on this? Thanks for your input. Woody

 

[Tom Winters]

Glo-Toob.
http://www.savsonswordsandknives.com/glotoob.html

 

[Damselfish]

constant on please, no strobes. Keep a strobe in your pocket for emergencies or maybe to mark an exit point UW. But don't wear one. It will be annoying to your buddy and anyone else around. And should you be doing a boat dive at night, they will often mark the anchor line with a strobe. You really don't want people thinking you are the boat!

 

[redacted]

I prefer the constant OFF, but that is not acceptable in some cases. However, flashers are also not allowed with some operations.

 

[Charlie99]

constant on please, no strobes. Keep a strobe in your pocket for emergencies or maybe to mark an exit point UW. But don't wear one. It will be annoying to your buddy and anyone else around. And should you be doing a boat dive at night, they will often mark the anchor line with a strobe. You really don't want people thinking you are the boat!

Are these remarks in regards to a flashing LED marker light or a xenon flash type strobe? I think the original poster was trying to decide between a flashing LED or a constant On one.

I find different colors of cylume/chemical lightsticks useful, and would imagine that a flashing LED would be distinctive, but not obnoxious.

 

[Web Monkey]

What shows up the best underwater?

I'd guess blue or green, but maybe white?

Terry

Glo-Toob.
http://www.savsonswordsandknives.com/glotoob.html

 

[Tom Winters]

Well, ideally, everyone in your group would have a different color. White should show up the best - hopefully it wouldn't kill everyone else's night vision, although a couple of errant shots of HID light sure will do that.

 

[Damselfish]

Are these remarks in regards to a flashing LED marker light or a xenon flash type strobe? I think the original poster was trying to decide between a flashing LED or a constant On one.

I find different colors of cylume/chemical lightsticks useful, and would imagine that a flashing LED would be distinctive, but not obnoxious.

Well a Xenon type would be really bad especially for anyone's night vision, but I think even a flashing LED is annoying. The flashing itself is distracting even if it isn't super bright.

 

[diver_paula]

Flashing strobes are IRRITATING!!!!

 

[Charlie99]

Flashing strobes are IRRITATING!!!!

That's a commonly posted opinion, and the same opion I hold about STROBES. (the super bright xenon flash tubes similar to a camera photoflash)

OTOH, I've done many night dives with divers that had flashing Lazer Stiks or other similar LED marker lights and they didn't bother me at all.

YMMV.

Charlie