Suggestions for Backup Lights

[Jim Lapenta]

Such as? I have used twist off and on lights for 4 years now and have never had a flood. I have had two switch lights flood when the switch broke and came off in my hand. There are some twist on and offs that have only one oring. These indeed are to be shunned. I have yet to see myself a twist light that was properly taken care of ( cleaned, orings wiped and relubed after every dive) flood. I'm sure it's happened but I'd be willing to bet a bad oring, improper cleaning, or some other diver error was factor in many cases unless the lens broke or was dislodged. Also it is generally accepted that back ups with manual switches are less than optimal. A twist on/off is less likely to fail.

I just looked at the SP light. That looks nice. But what is it rated at in terms of lumens and what degree is the beam angle? No info on site. Where is the switch? If it's on the back like a tactical light it may be fine. Ones that you actually flip from side to side are the ones that broke on me.

 

[Rainer]

Sure, if you can't be bothered to remember which way to twist the lighthead, of course expect floods. Otherwise, you'll find way more reports of leaked/failed switches than you will twist ons.

 

[b1gcountry]

I agree, anything but a scout. Especially given the rubber covers on the light head just WILL NOT stay on any of my 4 scouts, or hardly any of my buddies without a DIY glue-job

LOL, I have found two of the rubber covers floating at the surface and I don't even dive with them.

BTW, I'm guessing the height of someone shouldn't make too much difference with whether the right hand light hits anything. The BP is going to be the same height no matter how tall you are. I can see girth affecting things.

Tom

 

[b1gcountry]

Dorcy 180 lumen backups from Pirahna Dive. 2 for less than 100 bucks. aluminum body, double oring seal. I have 3 of em.

Is that the 'penetrator 180'?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

that's the ones.

 

[kathydee]

We have Halcyon Scouts with an eLED module upgrade, and a Photon Torpedo with the LED upgrade, and a Salvo Rat, Jr. (no longer available) and those are all good lights.

The Salvo Rat Jr's are great! Very light & bright enough for night diving on tropical reefs - actually much brighter than many other lights. I did about 20+ night dives with them this summer & loved them.

Salvo is no longer but here is a close out sale at a great price. They say the light head lasts forever? Just be careful not to crank it closed too hard because you can crush the light head (I learned the hard way).


Salvo Rat Light Jr. 2 Watt LED *Buy Salvo at DIVESEEKERS.COM 888-SCUBA-47

 

[jtivat]

This is in the tech diving forum so I am assuming these light need to be very reliable and that your life could depend on them. So this would rule out the Dorcy, Intova, Oxycheq or any other cheap light. I have read of or seen many failures in all of them. I do not understand how people will spend over $100 per dive on back gas then cheap out on a light. I have used most of the lights on the market and this is the list I would recommend for use in tech diving.

Photon Torpedo LED
Salvo Rat
Halcyon LED
Sartek EBL2200
Tilly Tec