Need to replace my PrincetonTek LED, reccomendations?

[bdshort]

On my recent Fla. Keys trip, my 8C cell PrincetonTek LED light flooded If I can get it back from a cousin who I let take it so he could mess with it, I may try to have it replaced under warranty, but in the meantime, I figured I'd look at replacements? I know from reading threads here in the past, a lot of people seem to like the UK lights. I was looking at the 8C LED+ light they have, with the removable grip, at a store down in Key West, and it looks pretty nice. The LeisurePro price on it seems really good ($99), and since they now offer USPS shipping ($14), it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg extra to ship to Alaska. Other recommendations? Should I be looking at the UK HID light over LED? While I'd like a canister light, I don't really feel like spending that kind of money right now.

Brian

 

[Guy Carrier]

Brian,

I bought two UK HID lights a year and half ago for myself and my wife. I also bought the rechargeable battery modules. I simply could never get both of them to work at the same time. They put out a tremendous light but they are really finicky IMHO. I finally bought two of the UK 8-cell LED lights as backup primary lights. Once I had those to carry around the Caribbean the UK HIDs seem to get the message and cooperated for the duration of a liveaboard week of diving. Next time I tried to get them to light neither would work after charging for several days. I now just take the LEDs on trips.

Bottom line: UK HIDs are great lights when they light and it really is dark when they don't.

Guy

 

[crpntr133]

Send back the Princeton Tec and be done with it. I bought a used one and flooded it. Sent it back to PT and they replaced it, no questions. I think it was gone about 10 days.

 

[bdshort]

Unfortunately, the old one WAS thrown away, so I'm SOL with returning it I'll remember next time I buy something with a lifetime warranty!

 

[spectrum]

FWIW When I got my PT E LED in 7/05 I compared it to the UK equivalent at the time and the PT had a much higher light output.

 

[drrich2]

It might help to know what priority you place on a few factors, including:

1.) Durability.
2.) Duration of light on a single set of batteries.
3.) Extreme light production.

Sometimes laying out your priorities makes the decision easier.

Richard.

 

[DiveSite]

FWIW When I got my PT E LED in 7/05 I compared it to the UK equivalent at the time and the PT had a much higher light output.

I would have to agree with the above. I've used both and prefer the Princeton Tec.

 

[Rev. Blade]

It might help to know what priority you place on a few factors, including:

1.) Durability.
2.) Duration of light on a single set of batteries.
3.) Extreme light production.

Sometimes laying out your priorities makes the decision easier.

Richard.

The size of light and price range may also be factors. I normally carry an Underwater Kinetics SL4 or a Princetontec XL (l.e.d.) as backups in my BC pocket. I've also used them both as primary lights. Many dives don't require a very bright light to be safe. For a daytime dive, no light is actually needed. I try to have at least two lights on all my dives. (backup in each pocket, and a powerful light clipped to a D-ring... which goes in my hand as soon as the dive starts)

I threw out one Prineton Tec light before trying their warranty. Now I save any failed lights. If a $15 or $25 fails, it seems like a waste to spend the money on shipping. I just buy another. (...but save the dead one.) When I have a couple dead lights, I send them back for new ones.

The Shockwave LED puts out enough light to suit me for any night diving I've done. For daytime diving, I want a light that is super bright (or at least has a super bright hotspot.) When it works, my UK Light Canon is awsome compared to any other light I've seen under $200. Unfortunately, it has been fussy for me. Like the poster above, my LC has been more likely to work since I started carrying additional lights. I think they can sense when they aren't needed.