scubnewb wrote:***Dizzy**** from reading evey post... I just ordered a Q40 and SL4 to use till I can get a good quality primary can light or light cannon or what ever it is that I decide I want and can afford. All I know is I want something that is not to bulky, easy to handle, plenty bright but not to overwhelming, and gets the job done so I dont need to buy anything else ever again that fits in my $200-$300/350 budget...
Now please point me the right way...
I think the point is that you don't need to spend more than your $350 to have a "good quality primary can light." Dusty is one option, a used 10 watt Salvo/LM, or ask around and guys like Nwbrewer, H2O doc and airsix are willing to give tons of good advice about how to build your own. A big part of the decision has to do with how you want to dive. If you intend to dive in a vertical position, the pistol grip is less of a problem for you. If you want to learn to dive in trim and control your buoyancy, it helps to put the can (which has the heavy parts) close to your center of gravity so you don't have as much trouble balancing a bunch of battery weight way out in front of you. If you plan to use your light for general illumination or video, a broad soft light is preferable; but if you want to communicate, it helps to have a light that either has a strong hot spot in the center, or the ability to focus so you can put all that power in one direction to give clear light signals to your buddies. Do you dive with your primary on a long hose? Then the canister is a perfect catch to hold that hose in place. If you don't use a long hose, that value is lost for you. Jeff asked about the Sola, and for the money, there are other solutions that offer many advantages that aren't quantified in lumens, burn time etc.
So it's not an easy "point me in the right way" kind of question. It depends a lot on how you choose to dive. Why a can light? Why a long hose? Why blade fins? Why compass on left wrist, depth on right wrist? There are well thought out answers to these questions, and it's not just all because of kool-aid or because someone cool does it that way. That's why I've invited you and Jeff to come to MMM and see in practice the reasons why.
The first light I bought was a used Halcoyn Scout for $40. I've since dropped in an LED to replace the halogen bulb, and it still serves as a backup on every dive. It was pathetic for a main light, but it did the job for the first bunch of dives until I got my can light. I'm glad I saved that $300 I was considering spending on a UK and put it toward a better solution right from the start.