Ready to plunge but how much is enough?
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The 21w LED has the same beam focus as the 9w, 12w, and 16w LEDs. So, definitely not as tightly focused as the HID. At a certain point, it doesn't matter how much brightness you add if you don't have the focus to put a spot on the terrain where you're pointing the light. Remember, a significant part of our light usage is for communication, and communication requires a visible spot. The 21w HID will create a visible spot from further away, in worse vis, every time.
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Rainer
Contributor
I have ~500 dives on my Salvo 21W HID. Love it. Picked it up new for around $1100 several years ago. I see used ones go for as low as $600 now. Personally, I like having a remote ballast as it makes the lighthead a lot smaller (for divers with smaller hands, this can be really helpful, especially once you add a reel). If you're looking to use the one canister to power other devices (video lights, heated vest, etc), the remote ballast could be an issue.
My wife has the LM 21W LED. The beam isn't as focused as the 21W HID, but honestly, it's quite good. It certainly puts out a concentrated, focused beam. It's slightly less bright than the equivalent HID and it uses MORE power (LED = 4 hours, HID = 5 hours). The LED lighthead is much smaller than the HID. If I were shopping again today, I'd seriously consider the LED given it is less fragile. I think she picked hers up used for around $650.
While 21W lights are nice, you can often get away with less light. If you're doing deeper, darker dives, much less light is needed (assuming decent visibility). It's really in the bright shallows where the 21W shines.
We also have a 10W HID that my wife used before picking up her current light. For most dives, it's plenty of light. It's now our backup or loaner light. Best part, it was only $250 used with two 3 hour batteries. If you could find a similar deal on a 9W, 10W, 12W, 16W light, I'd hardly think you'd be disappointed. Or spend 3-4x to find a nice used 21W.
My wife has the LM 21W LED. The beam isn't as focused as the 21W HID, but honestly, it's quite good. It certainly puts out a concentrated, focused beam. It's slightly less bright than the equivalent HID and it uses MORE power (LED = 4 hours, HID = 5 hours). The LED lighthead is much smaller than the HID. If I were shopping again today, I'd seriously consider the LED given it is less fragile. I think she picked hers up used for around $650.
While 21W lights are nice, you can often get away with less light. If you're doing deeper, darker dives, much less light is needed (assuming decent visibility). It's really in the bright shallows where the 21W shines.
We also have a 10W HID that my wife used before picking up her current light. For most dives, it's plenty of light. It's now our backup or loaner light. Best part, it was only $250 used with two 3 hour batteries. If you could find a similar deal on a 9W, 10W, 12W, 16W light, I'd hardly think you'd be disappointed. Or spend 3-4x to find a nice used 21W.
i just picked up a helios 4.5 for under your price range - looks like about 6 dives on it total (2 of them my test dives with GUE Primary)
run time is apx 2.5 hrs for this ~4 YR old light currently.
the 21w is much, much brighter.
run time is apx 2.5 hrs for this ~4 YR old light currently.
the 21w is much, much brighter.
OP
Thanks to Ben_ca who sound me out to a classified on TDS, picked up a Halcyon 21W HID 4.5 for $550 shipped. May upgrade the battery later. 
Also will be picking up a new product (not announced yet so cannot disclose it), so I think I am all set for lights.
Quick question: Opinions on E/O connects?
Also will be picking up a new product (not announced yet so cannot disclose it), so I think I am all set for lights.
Quick question: Opinions on E/O connects?
OP
Hi guys, need some help here. My 21W HID just arrived and I assembled it together to test it. It was good for 15 seconds then I heard a soft buzzing sound from the light and it went out. At first I thought the bulb has gone bad so I turn it off and on again, and the light came back on, 15 seconds later, soft buzz and went out. THe bulb always comes back on after I turn the switch off and on again, but it will always buzz softly and then goes out. What could be wrong??
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