What Light(s), and *Why*, For Advanced Diving?

[Jax]

After perusing the Lights sub-forum, I found a lot of threads on "what's best for this or that purpose?", but not much on the how and why one makes their particular choice.

Please do not turn this into a Brand X versus Brand Y. If the brand / support drove your decision, fine.

So, I ask --
What did you look for in choosing your light, and what was the purpose of the light when you did so?

I'll start, as an example.

I wanted something bright and with a reasonable spot for getting my dive buddy's attention in daytime clear waters. (I have since concluded a 6-cell mag light applied to his head would be suitable.) At first, I got the SSC P7 LED, then Edd of CaveAdventurers.com showed me the Intova Ultra Nova. That is now my primary signalling light.

For a backup light, I wanted something small that would fit in my pocket or clip neatly out of the way. I stumbled upon a TUSA wide-angled light which has a spectacularly even, wide beam of light - it is wonderful for lighting something for photography. It is also excellent (not overpowering) for night dives.

Lastly, I wanted all of the above to be suitable as backups to a possible canister light in my future. Therefore, they also needed good burn times of four or more hours. Lumens were not as important as practicability in the use.

Okay, your turn: What drove your personal decision?

 

[rongoodman]

Since I know you're interested in sidemount, I'll mention the SM package that Light Monkey does for their 12W LED--longer cord, right angle feed for the cord off the battery pack, long burn time. You can get a mount for your helmet too. As for back-up lights, as much as I like my Halcyon Scouts, they're a little bit of a pain when helmet mounted, as they rotate unless held, so turning them on is a two hand job, which means you might need a third hand to reference the line while doing so. I got a couple of UK lights for my helmet, which I can secure solidly with Zip ties and turn on with one hand, either by rotating the bezel(Mini Q40 eLED), or flipping the switch(SL4). I haven't had much luck with signaling in clear daytime Caribbean waters, even with my 21W HID.

 

[Jax]

As for back-up lights, as much as I like my Halcyon Scouts, they're a little bit of a pain when helmet mounted, as they rotate unless held, so turning them on is a two hand job, which means you might need a third hand to reference the line while doing so.

Since I know you're interested in sidemount, I'll mention the SM package that Light Monkey does for their 12W LED--longer cord, right angle feed for the cord off the battery pack, long burn time. You can get a mount for your helmet too. As for back-up lights, as much as I like my Halcyon Scouts, they're a little bit of a pain when helmet mounted, as they rotate unless held, so turning them on is a two hand job, which means you might need a third hand to reference the line while doing so. I got a couple of UK lights for my helmet, which I can secure solidly with Zip ties and turn on with one hand, either by rotating the bezel(Mini Q40 eLED), or flipping the switch(SL4). I haven't had much luck with signaling in clear daytime Caribbean waters, even with my 21W HID.

Am I to understand you have a 12W [for caves? why 12W?] and a 21W? What drove your choice?

And what is different in the backups, that led to them? Spot? Spillage? Brightness?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

12W LED is all you'll need in a cave ... unless you're diving with someone who's using a much brighter light. Then signaling becomes an issue. Light matching in a cave is a legitimate matter.

For diving in more murky conditions, or in places where there's filtered ambient light, you'll want something with a bit more punch and with less of a "halo" than you get with the 12W LED (or at least with the older model that I'm using). My 18W HID is sufficient in those conditions ... but when I'm diving with someone using a newer model 24W or higher, I get light envy.

Diving in sunny, clear tropical conditions? Fuggedabouddit ... you'd need something like a 35W just to be seen against the sunlight. In those conditions, the only reason to even have a light is for signaling anyway.

For backups, I like my Rat Jr's on the sidemount rig ... it's plenty of light in a small package. For the backmount rig, the larger Photon Torpedo's give me a bit more power ... and the hog harness accommodates the larger size better than my sidemount rig does.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[rongoodman]

I had the big 21W HID before SM, but I like the small size, ruggedness, and SM options for the 12W LED(I like to buy toys, too--that's what all the overtime is for!). As much as I like lighting up the big chambers with the HID in backmount, the smaller light is plenty and rides much nicer when butt mounted, or hanging off the back of my Razor.

The flat non-rotating shape led me to the UK lights. For helmet mounting, I actually think two of the smaller light would be adequate, I just happpened to get the bigger one first.

 

[down4fun]

I have an older salvo i picked up used when i first started to get interested in caves and tech. At the time it was what i could afford and i went mostly on the advice of others for selection. For back ups I had uk c4's they were big, bulky and heavy. But they worked and I already owned them. I have since upgraded my back ups to intovas. For back ups i wanted something bright enough to get out of a cave or wreck if my primary failed. I didn't want a twist on, I flooded way to many of those. And it needed to be short to fit my torso/chest harness area. I had a scout but it was too long for my torso (besides being a twist on) so i sold it. So far intovas are the only non-twist on lights that meet my satisfaction. There have been a few others a long the way that i bought and sold or they are in the bin of unwanted dive gear on the shelf in the garage. Some looked good online but once they arrived they just were cheap workmanship and quality.
As far as the primary, Tony got a new light monkey LED last christmas. I like it. It's smaller in the head and canister than mine, and just as bright in the wrecks so far as i can tell (I have kidnapped it the past 6 dives or so, since he is shooting video he doesn't take it anyway). So if and when my old salvo dies i will probably go to a LED light monkey.

I'm not brand specific. The primary needs to be bright, with a 4 hour burn time. I prefer a company with good support and customer service. The back ups need to be bright, short and non-twist on.

 

[Jax]

Good thoughts, Down4Fun - thanks!

 

[vinegarbiscuit]

I wanted my back-ups to be sturdy, simple and relatively unobtrusive. I got a great deal on a Salvo Rat and Rat Jr, and they've served me very well indeed. I use them as my primary and back-up when doing night dives in clear water, and they certainly do the job.

My canister light (Dive Rite 10W HID) was driven by several considerations: it's the same light I hired from my cave instructor for my training dives; it's the twin of my fiance's light; it was as cheap as chips ($175); Dive Rite has always given me great support in the past, if needed; and I know I can always upgrade to LED if the mood ever takes me.

 

[Frosty]

I still havent done a night or cave/wreck dive so I wanted a light that fits in my BC pocket unobtrusively

 

[Jax]

I still havent done a night or cave/wreck dive so I wanted a light that fits in my BC pocket unobtrusively

An interesting thought, Kabanz . . . have you any other requirements?

A narrow beam for signalling?

A broad beam for greater lighting of the area?

A piercing beam to go through murky vis?

How many hours burn time?

Which requirement is more important than another?


The above questions are the reason for this thread -- obviously, divers with a lot of experience with diving lights are going to have developed needs and wants from their experience. I hope they will share those thoughts and experiences with us, so we can incorporated them into our choices.