need help purchasing cannister light

[scubak]

I really enjoy my 10wHID from dive rite but I don't care to really dive with a light if I can help it. Up here I use it for the crappy vis and for communication. The Hubby has the 21w and it is BRIGHT, sometimes too bright I think for the poor retinas of the Octos, fish and such...but it is nice...sometimes
K

 

[PerroneFord]

I cannot understand why 10 W lights are still desired by anyone for any reason.

Reason 1: The output from a good 10w HID and a 18w HID is close. REALLY close. When I took a 10w HID into the ballroom at Ginnie, I expected it to be bright since I had had 10w HIDs in there many times. What I was not prepared for was for it to nearly light up the entire bottom half of the cavern. When I was in there 2 weeks later with my new 21w, I could barely tell the difference. If you had them right together, you'd be able to tell, but that's about it.

Reason 2: The 10w is nearly half the price. For many people that is reason enough.

Reason 3. Replacement costs of bulbs. The Welch Allyn bulb (like in the Halcyon and formerly the Sartek) was fragile. I watched a girl drop a light head from her waist high, onto the carpeted floor. Bulb was toast. $100 plus shipping. Same light in 18w or 21w, $250.

Reason 4: Twice the battery life from the same battery pack. For people who travel, it's nice to be able to get 6 dives on one charge. And not have to travel with the charger.

These were some things I took into consideration when I was choosing between a 21w and a 10w.

 

[nereas]

Reason 1: The output from a good 10w HID and a 18w HID is close. REALLY close. When I took a 10w HID into the ballroom at Ginnie, I expected it to be bright since I had had 10w HIDs in there many times. What I was not prepared for was for it to nearly light up the entire bottom half of the cavern. When I was in there 2 weeks later with my new 21w, I could barely tell the difference. If you had them right together, you'd be able to tell, but that's about it.

Reason 2: The 10w is nearly half the price. For many people that is reason enough.

Reason 3. Replacement costs of bulbs. The Welch Allyn bulb (like in the Halcyon and formerly the Sartek) was fragile. I watched a girl drop a light head from her waist high, onto the carpeted floor. Bulb was toast. $100 plus shipping. Same light in 18w or 21w, $250.

Reason 4: Twice the battery life from the same battery pack. For people who travel, it's nice to be able to get 6 dives on one charge. And not have to travel with the charger.

These were some things I took into consideration when I was choosing between a 21w and a 10w.

I bring 2 batteries with me, for travel. And you can get foreign adapter kits at any good luggage store, for the charger, too.

 

[nereas]

I really enjoy my 10wHID from dive rite but I don't care to really dive with a light if I can help it. Up here I use it for the crappy vis and for communication. The Hubby has the 21w and it is BRIGHT, sometimes too bright I think for the poor retinas of the Octos, fish and such...but it is nice...sometimes
K

Yes, the 10s are smaller and therefore a little less bulky. But then, so are 72s compared with 130s. It all depends on the mission of the dive.

 

[pennypue]

Yes, the 10s are smaller and therefore a little less bulky. But then, so are 72s compared with 130s. It all depends on the mission of the dive.

Finally, someone brought it up!!

What kind of diving are you doing, and do you intend to do?
I use an 18w Halcyon, I cave dive, my buddy has a 21w Salvo head, and I have dove the 35w Salvo. I prefer a brighter light. But I also don't want to be too much brighter than my buddy's light.

That said, one buddy has a 10w, it's much tougher to spot in the water. If that's all your budget will allow, get one used and upgrade later when you can afford it.
Otherwise, look at what you want to do and with whom. What do they have?

My personal opinion is to buy the biggest, brightest, longest burning light you can lift and afford. I may be looking to trade up my 18w to a 35w. Size matters for this girl.

 

[nereas]

Finally, someone brought it up!!

What kind of diving are you doing, and do you intend to do?
I use an 18w Halcyon, I cave dive, my buddy has a 21w Salvo head, and I have dove the 35w Salvo. I prefer a brighter light. But I also don't want to be too much brighter than my buddy's light.

That said, one buddy has a 10w, it's much tougher to spot in the water. If that's all your budget will allow, get one used and upgrade later when you can afford it.
Otherwise, look at what you want to do and with whom. What do they have?

My personal opinion is to buy the biggest, brightest, longest burning light you can lift and afford. I may be looking to trade up my 18w to a 35w. Size matters for this girl.

Cave divers rock.

They always have.

They always will.

 

[snorkl]

thanks for all your help. For the type of diving that i am looking to do i settled on the halcyon 18 watt explorer. I will be trying it out next week! thanks!