LED lights in caves?

diverklondike · 12th February 2008, 02:28

Quote: (Originally Posted by mattmexico)

yo

I am diving a Dive Rite LED primary light. It is somewhat modular and can be either handheld and turned into a canister light, with a very small canister. It is not as strong as a HID 10 watt but almost and they say stronger ones are on the way. I still like it a lot as it takes a lot more abuse then the HID could ... and is still working. Love as well to use AA batteries either regular or rechargable 2400 mv. Using the light now for 3 month or so. I just love it as I can beat the crap out of it and the thing is still shining bright ...

Matt

Matt,

I agree that it's a great little light. I use the hand held one as my back-up. It's great to know you have that much power in a back-up that can take a beating. I would however not trade it for my Salvo 21w HID in a cave... I will however be one of the first one's in line when LED lights can really provide the output of a 21w HID. Hopefully we will not have to long to wait.

Dive Safe...

Mark

lizardland · 12th February 2008, 07:58

I've got the older version of it which used a 10W HID. I either keep that as a backup for bigger dives or as a helmet mount for sidemount/sump diving. Nice little light. Good as a primary for open water as well.

I've got some side by side pictures I'll upload of the beams.

davy · 12th February 2008, 08:10

Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland)

At the risk of sounding like a luddite, I've recently gone back to halogen for cave diving.

Hi Stuart,
You are not the only one

90% of my dives I now use a halogen bulb again...
Like you I wouldn't dream of dragging an HID in a tackle bag through a cave...

lizardland · 12th February 2008, 08:13

As promised...

10W Dive Rite handheld HID next to a normal backup light:

And next to a 18W Halcyon HID:

**nigelh** · 12th February 2008, 08:17

I used to take a Halcyon HID wreck diving but it either broke the bulb or flooded.

These days I use a FaMi LED lump that isn't focusable, but the Halcyon never lasted long enough for me to get used to that trick so I don't miss it, but you could probably hammer in nails with it.

I suspect dragging into a real cave (not floating along a metro tunnel like in the HID advert pictures) is probably similar to levering yourself into a collapsed hold.

fletcher · 13th February 2008, 18:46

Tillytec led 500 is man enough for the job. Focused beam for signaling and great periph viz for exploration. Even better if you have the money money, tillytec led 1000. The power of a 18 watts hid in one led.

Sutty · 5th March 2008, 13:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase)

Hi Neil

There are LEDs and there are LEDs. Id say the Solus 1250has ample forward projection for any dive and the Solus 2500 should have a shed load more.

However i am doing a weeks cave diving with the Solus 1250 starting 14th Feb so If you want to wait till I get back Ill know for sure. Hopefully Ill have some video as well if my Vee Cam works OK.

Janos and Howard will have Salvo 21W HIDS so I can compare it with them.

One thing i know already is Janos made a hole in the rubber switch boot of his HID and is at present begging Nackers for a replacement before his flight out to Mexico

Its for reliability reasons like this that id opt for the LED rather than the lazor light performance of the HID. The Salvo 21s and above are still king of the light sabers so if thats your thing get a Salvo.

ATB

Mark

Hi Mark,

I see you're back from your cave course - sounds like a great course too.

How was the Solus light in the caves?

Neil

Mark Chase · 5th March 2008, 15:03

Quote: (Originally Posted by Sutty)

Hi Mark,

I see you're back from your cave course - sounds like a great course too.

How was the Solus light in the caves?

Neil

Yes remis of me i forgot this thread.

I loved it Janos heated it and Howard couldn't tell the difference between the 21W HID and the Solus.

I did one dive with the Salvo 21W during the whole gig because I had forgoten to recharge the Solus.

I preferred the head mounted switching and i liked the fact I could check it was working any time i liked.

On the preview check Id turn my one on an off and the others would say "I have a hid so i wont test it"

During the dive I found the light output to be more than adequate. Matt commented on our unnecessary mega bright torches but i have to say the little torches Matt and Patrick were using got blitzed by the Salvos and the Solus making signals harder to see.

Janos thought the signaling power of the Solus was poor. Howard and I couldn't understand this because its a very powerful torch. If you were missing the signal then I cant imagine why. It definitely wasn't a tight spot like the Salvos but I still thought you'd be hard pushed to miss a signal.

Solus worked find for the whole gig. Howard's HID packed up on the last day. Buzzing and flashing. Possible bulb failure. He had to borrow Matt's LED.

I am at the back with the Solus

Me middle left side Salvo with Howard in red and janos below me

Solus spot on celing

Solus right hand spot Salvo Left

Meng_Tze · 5th March 2008, 17:18

Nice pics Mark, where were you diving?

Sutty · 5th March 2008, 17:36

Looks nice!

I want one - just got to persuade myself to part with the hard-earned now!

Neil

12th February 2008, 02:28	#11 (permalink)
diverklondike Just one of the Peasants Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 1,604	Re: LED lights in caves? Quote: (Originally Posted by mattmexico) yo I am diving a Dive Rite LED primary light. It is somewhat modular and can be either handheld and turned into a canister light, with a very small canister. It is not as strong as a HID 10 watt but almost and they say stronger ones are on the way. I still like it a lot as it takes a lot more abuse then the HID could ... and is still working. Love as well to use AA batteries either regular or rechargable 2400 mv. Using the light now for 3 month or so. I just love it as I can beat the crap out of it and the thing is still shining bright ... Matt Matt, I agree that it's a great little light. I use the hand held one as my back-up. It's great to know you have that much power in a back-up that can take a beating. I would however not trade it for my Salvo 21w HID in a cave... I will however be one of the first one's in line when LED lights can really provide the output of a 21w HID. Hopefully we will not have to long to wait. Dive Safe... Mark
(Online)

12th February 2008, 07:58	#12 (permalink)
lizardland Yak Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North... Posts: 1,302	Re: LED lights in caves? I've got the older version of it which used a 10W HID. I either keep that as a backup for bigger dives or as a helmet mount for sidemount/sump diving. Nice little light. Good as a primary for open water as well. I've got some side by side pictures I'll upload of the beams. __________________ Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you? www.westons-cider.co.uk Azerbaijani Association of Technical Divers Publicity Officer and Goat Wrangler
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12th February 2008, 08:10	#13 (permalink)
davy New Member Current Rebreather/s: RB80 / Clone Home Build Other Rebreather/s: RB80 / Clone Home Build Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 21	Re: LED lights in caves? Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland) At the risk of sounding like a luddite, I've recently gone back to halogen for cave diving. Hi Stuart, You are not the only one 90% of my dives I now use a halogen bulb again... Like you I wouldn't dream of dragging an HID in a tackle bag through a cave...
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12th February 2008, 08:13	#14 (permalink)
lizardland Yak Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North... Posts: 1,302	Re: LED lights in caves? As promised... 10W Dive Rite handheld HID next to a normal backup light: And next to a 18W Halcyon HID: __________________ Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you? www.westons-cider.co.uk Azerbaijani Association of Technical Divers Publicity Officer and Goat Wrangler
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12th February 2008, 08:17	#15 (permalink)
nigelh New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brighton, Sussex, UK Posts: 835	Re: LED lights in caves? I used to take a Halcyon HID wreck diving but it either broke the bulb or flooded. These days I use a FaMi LED lump that isn't focusable, but the Halcyon never lasted long enough for me to get used to that trick so I don't miss it, but you could probably hammer in nails with it. I suspect dragging into a real cave (not floating along a metro tunnel like in the HID advert pictures) is probably similar to levering yourself into a collapsed hold. __________________ nigelh
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13th February 2008, 18:46	#16 (permalink)
fletcher New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: brussels Posts: 25	Re: LED lights in caves? Tillytec led 500 is man enough for the job. Focused beam for signaling and great periph viz for exploration. Even better if you have the money money, tillytec led 1000. The power of a 18 watts hid in one led.
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5th March 2008, 13:23	#17 (permalink)
Sutty Classic Kiss diver Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Glossop, Derbyshire, UK Posts: 800	Re: LED lights in caves? Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase) Hi Neil There are LEDs and there are LEDs. Id say the Solus 1250has ample forward projection for any dive and the Solus 2500 should have a shed load more. However i am doing a weeks cave diving with the Solus 1250 starting 14th Feb so If you want to wait till I get back Ill know for sure. Hopefully Ill have some video as well if my Vee Cam works OK. Janos and Howard will have Salvo 21W HIDS so I can compare it with them. One thing i know already is Janos made a hole in the rubber switch boot of his HID and is at present begging Nackers for a replacement before his flight out to Mexico Its for reliability reasons like this that id opt for the LED rather than the lazor light performance of the HID. The Salvo 21s and above are still king of the light sabers so if thats your thing get a Salvo. ATB Mark Hi Mark, I see you're back from your cave course - sounds like a great course too. How was the Solus light in the caves? Neil __________________ Never forget that life is a finite resource.
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5th March 2008, 15:03	#18 (permalink)
Mark Chase I go down for ages Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,693	Re: LED lights in caves? Quote: (Originally Posted by Sutty) Hi Mark, I see you're back from your cave course - sounds like a great course too. How was the Solus light in the caves? Neil Yes remis of me i forgot this thread. I loved it Janos heated it and Howard couldn't tell the difference between the 21W HID and the Solus. I did one dive with the Salvo 21W during the whole gig because I had forgoten to recharge the Solus. I preferred the head mounted switching and i liked the fact I could check it was working any time i liked. On the preview check Id turn my one on an off and the others would say "I have a hid so i wont test it" During the dive I found the light output to be more than adequate. Matt commented on our unnecessary mega bright torches but i have to say the little torches Matt and Patrick were using got blitzed by the Salvos and the Solus making signals harder to see. Janos thought the signaling power of the Solus was poor. Howard and I couldn't understand this because its a very powerful torch. If you were missing the signal then I cant imagine why. It definitely wasn't a tight spot like the Salvos but I still thought you'd be hard pushed to miss a signal. Solus worked find for the whole gig. Howard's HID packed up on the last day. Buzzing and flashing. Possible bulb failure. He had to borrow Matt's LED. I am at the back with the Solus Me middle left side Salvo with Howard in red and janos below me Solus spot on celing Solus right hand spot Salvo Left __________________ Is it supposed to make that noise ? I took my unit to the dive shop and demanded they bolt on every thing that would fit. Join my elite diving teem and get a Tshirt "Doing It Chasey"Hammerhead Eccr Advanced Diving System Last edited by Mark Chase : 5th March 2008 at 15:06.
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5th March 2008, 17:18	#19 (permalink)
Meng_Tze 246 Bubbleless Cove Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: FL, USA Posts: 111	Re: LED lights in caves? Nice pics Mark, where were you diving?
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5th March 2008, 17:36	#20 (permalink)
Sutty Classic Kiss diver Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Glossop, Derbyshire, UK Posts: 800	Re: LED lights in caves? Looks nice! I want one - just got to persuade myself to part with the hard-earned now! Neil __________________ Never forget that life is a finite resource.
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