?Xenon?

[Tekkie]

Hey,
I was looking for some backup lights. I was wondering if Xenon light bulbs over run the battery or do they have a higher chance of breaking (the bulb)? Also what about Leds?

Heres my options:
OMS Xenon Backup 201 Dive Light
OMS 7 LED Backup
Pelican Super SaberLight (2000)
Tektite Expedition 1400 14 LED Backup
Tektite Expedition 300 7 LED Backup
Tektite Expedition 50 1 LED Backup
Tektite Trek 200
EE Backup Light
Manta Backup Light

I kind of like them all and I acnt make a decision that would get me the best safety for the money. Thanks for the help
Tekkie

 

[ScubaRon]

I think you can see whether the bulb is being overrun by comparing the total voltage of the batteries with the voltage of the bulb.

As far as breaking: LED's are almost impossible to break, but if you don't throw your flashlight too much, a Xenon bulb will be very difficult to break too (think about the abuse Xenon headlights in cars get!).

A key thing to as yourself is what the purpose of your backup light is: If it is strictly to get you safely to the surface in case your primary light fails, go for a small Xenon or LED light that you can easily store in or attach to your BC and forget about. If you also want to use it as a light for daylight diving (to look in holes etc.) I would go with a 3-5W Xenon bulb. LED bulbs do not have a lot of penetrating power and will only show you what is fairly close.
ScubaRon

 

[kobus]

I bought myself a Gilan Pocket. ( togehter with a Gilan Traveller)
Fully aluminium, runs on both dry-cells and rechargables (AA's)
double o-ring, halogen bulb.
It is the newest model of them sold for Eur 99,95 only.
I used it ones now and actually i'm very impressed by its perfomance!

 

[Tanto]

I use two of these as back-up lights, 15$ each with batteries, made of polycarbonate (Lexan), extremely bright (forget the old Divernet test, they changed the reflector), 3/5 hours of light.
Kept one in my pocket for 7 years doing hundreds of deep dives, excellent.
If you like LED, PT is going to release a new generation 1W LED this month.