Looking for Cannister Light, Help this Donkey

[tacohandler]

I need some advise/recommendations on buying a cannister light. I will be diving in a variety of conditions from rivers with poor vis to excellent vis. which may include some night and wreck dives. Mostly daytime open water diving in Monterey, California. I don't know JACK about what to buy. I am new to the sport and will continue to be just a recreational diver. However, I am a gearhead and must have nice gear. I will spend up to $650 for the complete package.

One more question, Am I being a donkey wanting a canister light for mostely open water rec. diving? My DM in Hawaii had one and it was so much nicer than the guy who had a hand held unit. Thus, I THINK I must have one.

Thanks for your wisdom,

Kevin

 

[Scubaroo]

I use a HID canister light on almost every dive I do in Monterey - I count it and my backplate as the two smartest dive gear purchases I have made (drysuit's a close third ). I've got the Stealth canister (do a search on ScubaBoard for reviews), and Dive Rite make a small NiMH canister as well that might be worth looking at for comparison shopping. Keep an eye out on eBay for a bargain.

Go for NiMH - the canisters are TINY compared to the older sealed lead acid models about, and the small size means you won't ever want to leave it behind. HID is more expensive, however I feel it's worth the cost.

 

[MechDiver]

I agree with Roo that the NiMH HID would be the way to go for a canister, but I also consider them way overkill for typical rec diving.

MD

 

[Scubaroo]

Bah! This is an equipment sport! They're the Big Berthas of diving

 

[Waterborne]

Scubaroo once bubbled...
Bah! This is an equipment sport! They're the Big Berthas of diving

Ah yes, he who dives with the most toys, wins!

But the poor college kids, like me, have to dive the old lead acid cinder blocks.

 

[tacohandler]

FORE!!!!

 

[leadweight]

Are you playing golf or diving?

Tacohandler? I live in taco land, Texas.

 

[ColdH20diving]

I bought a dive rite cannister hid light, and use it just about every time I dive. After using the cannister light I have no desire to go back to a hand held light. The down side is they are expensive.

 

[tacohandler]

Taco is the word for octopus. I believe that it is Japanese. I held one in Hawaii, now I'm hooked. Golf is cool too.

 

[dsgobie]

Yes it is Japanese. But you'd say it with more umf.