LED25 LED burning out, what are my options

[trimmatters]

Hi all.

Having noticed a growing dark spot on the cave walls from my otherwise fantastic Hollis LED25, I inspected the LED chip and discovered it had a circle of burned out diodes in the middle. Reflecting back, I believe this has been going on for a while.

I took the light into my LDS for assessment of my options. Turns out, I don't have any.

Oceanic Australia said there were no service parts available in Australia for the light but I could purchase some other product at a discount price.

What rubbish.

The light is 18 months old.

Hoping a Hollis representative, or other forum members, can give me some better options than throwing away a very expensive bit of kit after just 18 months of use.

 

[Chris H]

You could find a place that is capable of replacing the LED. I'm guessing it is a surface mount part so it will take a bit of skill to replace. I have no idea of they made the light head serviceable. If it is potted, repair at the circuit board level may be very difficult.

 

[Dsix36]

There is no need of me going into my history (or others) with the LED25, do a search and you will realize that you are better off to throw it out and get a real light. Cut your losses now before putting any more money into it.

 

[divad]

There is no need of me going into my history (or others) with the LED25, do a search and you will realize that you are better off to throw it out and get a real light. Cut your losses now before putting any more money into it.

Any suggestions re cutting losses?

 

[bamafan]

I seriously have never heard anyone say Hollis is quality gear. They seem to not be very innovative either. From all I have seen they basically just change a few things and use their large size to push some crap out to their large dealer base that is a knockoff and of lesser quality of the original item they are copying. Their latest bc the Katana is a prime example of this. Personally I would raise hell with them and try to get a replacement. If that doesn't work just buy a new light of better quality from a manufacturer that will stand behind their product in your neck of the woods.

 

[Dsix36]

Any suggestions re cutting losses?

I don't think you will be able to find any complaints on customer service or quality from either Light Monkey or Underwater Light Dude.

 

[tbone1004]

what did the Katana knock off? Owning one, and having evaluated most of the rigs on the market, I don't think they knocked anyone off. It is similar to the Nomad JT/LT/LTZ, but unlike all of those it actually works out of the box...

This light is a blatant knock off of the Light Monkey and it wasn't done very well, no one is going to argue with it because there is too much evidence saying otherwise.

 

[Dsix36]

If you happen to have the Hollis LED15 that was actually a LED16, then you really have a good light. This light was manufactured by Light Monkey for Hollis and does not come with the Hollis failures and crap customer service.

My girlfriend has one, it has been a great light, and Light Monkey will still service it when she does something foolish like let the latch pop open or cut the cord.

 

[Chris H]

I'm pleased with my Light Monkey 21W LED.