Underwater Kinetics Light Cannon HID Dive Light

[rswails]

I'm thinking about getting one of these. I've have heard in other threads to stay away from HID because they won't light if the batteries aren't nearly new. My question is, is this true with this particular light. Does anyone have experience with this same light?

Another issue is, let's say it does only lasts 10 ignitions, if I use rechargeable's won't that be a small issue? I heard some people talking about LED's. From my experience with above water LED lights, they aren't very bright...

With that in mind, aren't HID's better lights than LED's assuming they work ok?

Thanks.

 

[Steve50]

You might want to borrow one and try it first. I find them to be too bright, causing a real issue with reflections back if there is any turbidity, sort of like bright lights in a snowstorm.

 

[Blackwood]

Firstly, the primary reason we use HID is for the color quality.

Some LEDs are extremely bright, and they are close to the color of HID.

LEDs are far more durable and long-lasting than HIDs. A mere bump can break your HID light head. I've dropped LEDs on concrete, they take a likin' and keep on... being bring.

That said, a really good HID light is still probably the best dive light you'll find. I have zero experience with the Light Canon, but given the marginal price, I can't imagine it's a "really good" one. With it's battery configuration, it's no surprise if it doesn't have a good burn time. It doesn't appear to have an adjustable focus, and that could contribute to the reflections problem Steve50 mentioned.

Personally, I don't like the pistol grip lights. I find them bulky and unwieldy. My suggestion: start off with a good "backup" light. A nice LED backup light (like the Photon Torpedo from Gulftex: http://www.cnsales.net/photontorpedopage.htm) is plenty bright (maybe not quite good enough for daytime signaling) and each set of batteries will go a long way.