Looking for a new primary light?

[O-ring]

If you're talking about the Halcyon focus, I just dove several days in caves with someone who has one. I don't know if hers is the older one, a newer model, or what the difference is. But I would say that I was pretty unimpressed with that light. I wouldn't buy one. The spot is an ugly, yellow square, and it's just not very strong.

If you can tolerate a short rant on my part, I want to say that I am still looking for a light that is as good as my old 21W light monkey HID. That light was a great color, excellent focus, very powerful, overall fantastic light in a cave. The problem is the bulbs can break, the ballasts are almost nonexistent anymore, the reflectors are fairly big, the burn time is not as good. IOW, every aspect of cave lights has improved with LEDs, EXCEPT the overall aesthetic quality of the light itself. Unfortunately that's a really important thing.

Uggh...

I feel your pain.. still using my Helios 18/9. The battery isn't what it was and I am down to one remaining spare bulb so figured I ought to start looking around.

 

[Degenerate]

If you're talking about the Halcyon focus, I just dove several days in caves with someone who has one. I don't know if hers is the older one, a newer model, or what the difference is. But I would say that I was pretty unimpressed with that light. I wouldn't buy one. The spot is an ugly, yellow square, and it's just not very strong.

If you can tolerate a short rant on my part, I want to say that I am still looking for a light that is as good as my old 21W light monkey HID. That light was a great color, excellent focus, very powerful, overall fantastic light in a cave. The problem is the bulbs can break, the ballasts are almost nonexistent anymore, the reflectors are fairly big, the burn time is not as good. IOW, every aspect of cave lights has improved with LEDs, EXCEPT the overall aesthetic quality of the light itself. Unfortunately that's a really important thing.

Uggh...

Surprised that you were unimpressed with the Focus to be honest.
I used to have a NLS 40W Super spot which was an amazing primary light in every way, definitely superior to Nanight which has been mentioned a couple times in this thread already.
First time I dove with a guy who had the Focus was the first time I felt like my light could be better.
Now I've downgraded to a Halcyon Flare Exp to get rid of the canister and yeah, it puts out less light than my NLS and definitely less than the Focus but I don't have to deal with a cable/canister and it still does the business well enough for me.
Always admired the performance of the Focus, IMO it is an amazing light but it definitely comes at a cost that is not worth it for some, and there are other alternatives that will also perform incredibly well.

 

[Traveling nomad]

If it's within your budget, have a look at UWLD. Best light I have used, excellent build quality.

 

[tbone1004]

Oooh. How timely! I have a Focus 2.0 (corded) in my cart right now. Change my mind.

Edit - never mind...they are out of stock. Back to contemplation mode.

what drove you to the focus 2.0? What are you looking for in a light that made you narrow it down to that one?

 

[O-ring]

what drove you to the focus 2.0? What are you looking for in a light that made you narrow it down to that one?

It's blue...and expensive. Oh, it also has an "H" on it.

 

[tbone1004]

It's blue...and expensive. Oh, it also has an "H" on it.

the UWLD LD-40 is also blue and expensive....

 

[O-ring]

the UWLD LD-40 is also blue and expensive....

Oooh...thanks, I like it already. My requirements are pretty simple - fish retina searing power, prefer canister/cord, must be able to fly with it. Basically just an updated 18/9.

 

[Cdncoldwater]

I have the CX1. Worked really well on the two quarry dives I did with it so far. However, it's out of stock at DRIS until late May and DGX doesn't have it either. Probably China production delays. It's $159 for the light and $25 for the elastic hand mount, which is actually more substantial than it appears.

Which hand mount? I just got a very good deal on a CX1 but want a hand mount.

 

[tbone1004]

Oooh...thanks, I like it already. My requirements are pretty simple - fish retina searing power, prefer canister/cord, must be able to fly with it. Basically just an updated 18/9.

I think you'll like it, @Bobby hit a home run with the older generations, but the new generation has 15% more power and a tighter beam angle. You will notice a less defined hotspot compared to the Halcyon lights, but it is retina searing

 

[Marie13]

Which hand mount? I just got a very good deal on a CX1 but want a hand mount.

DR had one that was specifically for the CX1. It doesn’t look like it’s available any longer. I would just get their quick mounting stuff and use that.