Poll: Underwater Kinetic Light Cannon

[archman]

After being an avid reader of the numerous posts on this HID light the last few months, I am curious to see what the results of a loose quantification of folks on the board would reveal. Specifically I'd like to see what the actual ratios of problems: no problems with these things are, and how it influences new buyer decisions.

 

[ScubaAaron]

I've owned mine for about 50 dives now and love it. I have had no problems. The white light always makes others green with envy. I am very careful when handling the light and check that the bulb is firmly seated every time I change the batteries. I would also highly recommend 4000mah+ NiMH batteries.

Aaron.

 

[archman]

I come back after a week and only find a few piddly poll responses?! Come on all you Light Cannon folks, I KNOW there are more than SIX of you on this board! Vote up!

 

[scubatoys]

All the problems we saw with them were very early models. We had about a 1 in 20 failure within a few dives. Now, I don't think we're getting 1 in 200 that ever have a problem.

 

[headhunter]

I come back after a week and only find a few piddly poll responses?! Come on all you Light Cannon folks, I KNOW there are more than SIX of you on this board! Vote up!

I think that your choices in the poll don't represent a choice for me.

I don't own a Light Canon and therefore can't choose one of the first two choices in the poll.

Although, I am considering purchasing one until I can justify spending the money on a Canister Light, I can't really say I'm "keen" on purchasing one. I read "keen" as "enthusiastic" about getting one. So, I have not cast a vote in that direction.

I'm not really considering another non-canister light as a primary.

Hope this helps.

Christian

 

[archman]

Yeah Christian, I specifically worded the poll so that it would not apply to canister light users. That's a different demographic, excepting the canister folks that have light cannons as backups in their dive bags.

Personally my next light will either be a canister HID or an eLED.

Oh look, a few more votes are in. Bring it!

 

[archman]

All the problems we saw with them were very early models. We had about a 1 in 20 failure within a few dives. Now, I don't think we're getting 1 in 200 that ever have a problem.

I bought mine last October. When does the "cutoff" for the earlier models poop out? Can I check a serial number or something? Recall notices from Underwater Kinetics perhaps?

 

[HammerNoMore]

Mine is finickey. Some times it takes several times to get it to turn on. Once it is on it works great.

James

 

[bwerb]

I own one...and I have a cannister light. The LC is now officially the "camera light" as soon as I get a housing. It is wonderful for clear water night diving but sucks royally for any form of underwater passive communication. It has "not" fired on me only once. Battery life is really quite good.

 

[kwickert]

and I guess I would fall into the quirky catagory.( and perhaps into the incidents and accidents forum :11: )

First trip, no problems functioned perfectly.

My second trip with it was to Cozumel and I couldn't get it to fire at the hotel. I finally got it to fire on the boat.

I have done five or six night dives, but this was my first night dive with current.

A few minutes into the dive, which because of delays was started in the dark, it went out again. :11: I deployed my back up light, and worked on stowing my light cannon, in the process of doing this, dropped my back up light, which fortunately was on. I then had to swim into the current to retrieve my back up... whew!!!

I understand none of this was the fault of the light cannon, I also had my camera dangling from my wrist, my first stage was set too high, and banging the back of my head....

I was the posterboy for task loading, and definately learned a lesson. By the way I love the light , I will just be better prepared next time.

Ken