Looking for a great inexpensive light?
- Grateful Diver
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Looking for a great inexpensive light?
I just picked up one of these this week ...
http://www.diverightinscuba.com/catalog ... -3380.html
Took it diving in Lake Washington yesterday. At 85 ffw I gave it a side-by-side comparison against my 21W HID Salvo, and I must say I'm pretty impressed. Pretty close to the same shape and intensity beam ... not quite as bright, but I was after all comparing a $90 light to one that costs over $1000.
Anyway, it'll blow the britches off of any other handheld I've seen ... can easily be used as a primary for someone who doesn't want to spend money on a can light ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
http://www.diverightinscuba.com/catalog ... -3380.html
Took it diving in Lake Washington yesterday. At 85 ffw I gave it a side-by-side comparison against my 21W HID Salvo, and I must say I'm pretty impressed. Pretty close to the same shape and intensity beam ... not quite as bright, but I was after all comparing a $90 light to one that costs over $1000.
Anyway, it'll blow the britches off of any other handheld I've seen ... can easily be used as a primary for someone who doesn't want to spend money on a can light ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Last edited by Grateful Diver on Sun Jun 10, 2012 8:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Threats and ultimatums are never the best answer. Public humiliation via Photoshop is always better - airsix
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- Joshua Smith
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Thanks, Bob. I'm actually in the market for new secondary lights, and these look pretty sexy.
Maritime Documentation Society
"To venture into the terrible loneliness, one must have something greater than greed. Love. One needs love for life, for intrigue, for mystery."
"To venture into the terrible loneliness, one must have something greater than greed. Love. One needs love for life, for intrigue, for mystery."
- ArcticDiver
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Bob:
Looks like a nice light. A couple questions if you please:
Description seems to say it uses 3*C batteries. But, the picture seems to show a different battery. Which is it?
Battery life?
Looks like a nice light. A couple questions if you please:
Description seems to say it uses 3*C batteries. But, the picture seems to show a different battery. Which is it?
Battery life?
The only box you have to think outside of is the one you build around yourself.
Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Thanks for the personal review Bob. I had already bookmarked this for my wish list, and it's great to see someone else found it to be a solid light.
The ocean is a lousy teacher. First you get a test, then the lesson.
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
ArcticDiver wrote:Bob:
Looks like a nice light. A couple questions if you please:
Description seems to say it uses 3*C batteries. But, the picture seems to show a different battery. Which is it?
Battery life?
It is 3cs. I have the 500 and the tbe 1000. For the price they are good lights
Still trying to work out the goodman handle issue as a soft sock just did not work will
- Grateful Diver
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Spec on the battery life says up to 5 hours. I'm gonna order some NiMH batteries and see how well it works with rechargeables ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Threats and ultimatums are never the best answer. Public humiliation via Photoshop is always better - airsix
Come visit me at http://www.nwgratefuldiver.com/
Come visit me at http://www.nwgratefuldiver.com/
Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Do post back, as I was wondering this very same question. And if you notice if it starts to 'dim' 1/2 or 2/3 of battery life.Grateful Diver wrote:Spec on the battery life says up to 5 hours. I'm gonna order some NiMH batteries and see how well it works with rechargeables ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
The ocean is a lousy teacher. First you get a test, then the lesson.
- ArcticDiver
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Thanks
Hope I don't jinx myself but I'm going to order one.
Ordered one, and they gave me $5.00 off since I'm a new customer. What a deal, eh?
They say "free domestic shipping". Wonder if it will make it this year?
Hope I don't jinx myself but I'm going to order one.
Ordered one, and they gave me $5.00 off since I'm a new customer. What a deal, eh?
They say "free domestic shipping". Wonder if it will make it this year?
The only box you have to think outside of is the one you build around yourself.
Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
I would expect some dimming across the burn-time. An alkaline C cell (highest quality) can put out roughly 8 watts for 1 hour. With 3 you have the capacity of 24 watt hours. The emitter in this light draws 10 watts at max output (the claimed 1k lumen), so you can see that it would be capable of max output for 2.4 hours if it were current-regulated and there were no losses. To go 5 hours would require being unregulated or dropping out of regulation when the batts are no longer able to support 10 watts. Bottom line is the light MUST dim during at least the second 2.5 hours of operation (or more if not regulated) because 3 C cells cannot support 10 watts for 5 hours. That's exactly the behavior and design I'd want in a backup light and next time I dive with Bob I'm going to want a good look at it because I already think I want one.
Ben
Ben
"The place looked like a washing machine full of Josh's carharts. I was not into it." --Sockmonkey
Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
DRIS is pretty darn reliable - I've been down a few times myself (from WI) and they have a nice shop. I would be surprised if you encounter any problems.ArcticDiver wrote:Thanks
Hope I don't jinx myself but I'm going to order one.
Ordered one, and they gave me $5.00 off since I'm a new customer. What a deal, eh?
They say "free domestic shipping". Wonder if it will make it this year?
- ArcticDiver
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Just received an email saying the light had been shipped via USPS. I'm optimistic they are as good as you think so I should see it in a few days.eliseaboo wrote:DRIS is pretty darn reliable - I've been down a few times myself (from WI) and they have a nice shop. I would be surprised if you encounter any problems.ArcticDiver wrote:Thanks
Hope I don't jinx myself but I'm going to order one.
Ordered one, and they gave me $5.00 off since I'm a new customer. What a deal, eh?
They say "free domestic shipping". Wonder if it will make it this year?
The only box you have to think outside of is the one you build around yourself.
- ArcticDiver
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
This is an interesting thread. Illustrates a big change.
When did we start thinking a flashlight that cost $90 is inexpensive? Must be we are part of the 1%, eh?
When did we start thinking a flashlight that cost $90 is inexpensive? Must be we are part of the 1%, eh?
The only box you have to think outside of is the one you build around yourself.
Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
I actually sold a Surefire Aviator A2 I was issued on a deployment to buy one of these. Retail on the SF is $200 or so, and it was an easy sale. CPF has them selling for over $120 used, so I think this one isn't too bad. Mine arrived yesterdayArcticDiver wrote:This is an interesting thread. Illustrates a big change.
When did we start thinking a flashlight that cost $90 is inexpensive? Must be we are part of the 1%, eh?
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Looking for a great inexpensive light?
The 1% use personally designed submarines to hit the Mariana Trench.ArcticDiver wrote:This is an interesting thread. Illustrates a big change.
When did we start thinking a flashlight that cost $90 is inexpensive? Must be we are part of the 1%, eh?
Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Context my friend. It's no more a "flashlight" than body-armor is a "vest". It's "inexpensive" in the context that a tool of equivalent capability would have cost $800 just a couple of years ago. So yes, for a tool that performs at this level it absolutely is inexpensive.ArcticDiver wrote:This is an interesting thread. Illustrates a big change.
When did we start thinking a flashlight that cost $90 is inexpensive? Must be we are part of the 1%, eh?
Ben
"The place looked like a washing machine full of Josh's carharts. I was not into it." --Sockmonkey
- Grateful Diver
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Think what divers have been happily paying for a Light Cannon for the past several years ... compared to that, $90 is downright cheap.ArcticDiver wrote:This is an interesting thread. Illustrates a big change.
When did we start thinking a flashlight that cost $90 is inexpensive? Must be we are part of the 1%, eh?
Scuba diving is an expensive hobby ... most folks who can afford it have some reasonable level of disposable income, although I think it more reasonable to say that we're part of the 20% ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Threats and ultimatums are never the best answer. Public humiliation via Photoshop is always better - airsix
Come visit me at http://www.nwgratefuldiver.com/
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
I look at it this way: When people are passionate about something they will often make sacrifices in other areas of their life. You might look at someone who has invested $10,000 in rebreather training and equipment and think "Well I don't have that kind of money to spend on toys! Why couldn't they just get a $500 OC package deal from Scubanoobs-R-us like everybody else?" Reality is probably that their income is not anywhere near the "1%" and they have simply made personal sacrifices in order to do what they love. In this example it might be diving deep wrecks that require that expensive equipment. It wasn't purchased as a luxury, it was purchased because it is needed to get the job done. Same goes for the subject of this thread. There isn't a single light hanging in a typical (by typical I don't mean PNW) dive shop suited to diving 3ft visibility 200ft wrecks. When shopping for that class of equipment is this light inexpensive? Absolutely.
Ben
Ben
"The place looked like a washing machine full of Josh's carharts. I was not into it." --Sockmonkey
- Joshua Smith
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
airsix wrote:I look at it this way: When people are passionate about something they will often make sacrifices in other areas of their life. You might look at someone who has invested $10,000 in rebreather training and equipment and think "Well I don't have that kind of money to spend on toys! Why couldn't they just get a $500 OC package deal from Scubanoobs-R-us like everybody else?" Reality is probably that their income is not anywhere near the "1%" and they have simply made personal sacrifices in order to do what they love. In this example it might be diving deep wrecks that require that expensive equipment. It wasn't purchased as a luxury, it was purchased because it is needed to get the job done. Same goes for the subject of this thread. There isn't a single light hanging in a typical (by typical I don't mean PNW) dive shop suited to diving 3ft visibility 200ft wrecks. When shopping for that class of equipment is this light inexpensive? Absolutely.
Ben
Word. You just described me pretty well. The suggestion that I'm part of the 1% is laughable. Last year I was probably in the 65%. Im lucky I got into tech/CCR when I did, because I sure couldn't afford it right now. It was a pretty big stretch when I started, but I pulled it off.
Maritime Documentation Society
"To venture into the terrible loneliness, one must have something greater than greed. Love. One needs love for life, for intrigue, for mystery."
"To venture into the terrible loneliness, one must have something greater than greed. Love. One needs love for life, for intrigue, for mystery."
- Penopolypants
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
When I open a dive shop I'm totally calling it "Scubanoobs-R-us".airsix wrote:Why couldn't they just get a $500 OC package deal from Scubanoobs-R-us like everybody else?"
Come to the nerd side, we have pi!
- Joshua Smith
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
I'm going to open "Whats the Worst That Could Happen?" Technical diving services next door to you.Penopolypants wrote:When I open a dive shop I'm totally calling it "Scubanoobs-R-us".airsix wrote:Why couldn't they just get a $500 OC package deal from Scubanoobs-R-us like everybody else?"
Maritime Documentation Society
"To venture into the terrible loneliness, one must have something greater than greed. Love. One needs love for life, for intrigue, for mystery."
"To venture into the terrible loneliness, one must have something greater than greed. Love. One needs love for life, for intrigue, for mystery."
Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Now that we're all used to dive lights, have you tried using a flashlight that you've had in your car or around your house? I have. Truly inexpensive lights (LED or incandescent, $1-$15) appear to have the lighting power of about 3 candles. Not sure what that is in lumens I'm pretty sure they couldn't handle even an inch of fresh water for 5 minutes.ArcticDiver wrote:This is an interesting thread. Illustrates a big change.
When did we start thinking a flashlight that cost $90 is inexpensive? Must be we are part of the 1%, eh?
- ArcticDiver
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
This thread has turned into a perfect example of the Theory Of Unintended Consequences. My thowaway comment has generated some pretty serious philosophical discussion. No doubt about it my standards about a lot of things have changed over the years as my interests and income have changed. Fortunately, for the most part, like a lot of people, my income has increased so I can arrange to indulge my hobbies and tastes. At the same time technology has provided better tools and toys. Flashlights, surface or sub-surface, are but one example.
Not sure where the income of the avid divers on this board ranks on the national scale. I said the 1%, but that is mainly a cultural discription, not an absolute one.
Not sure where the income of the avid divers on this board ranks on the national scale. I said the 1%, but that is mainly a cultural discription, not an absolute one.
The only box you have to think outside of is the one you build around yourself.
- Grateful Diver
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Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Well, here's an easy way to find out ... http://politicalcalculations.blogspot.c ... nking.html
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Threats and ultimatums are never the best answer. Public humiliation via Photoshop is always better - airsix
Come visit me at http://www.nwgratefuldiver.com/
Come visit me at http://www.nwgratefuldiver.com/
Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
I am in the top 1% of financial advisors that have a home-made dive light and sometimes sleep at Bob's house.
"The place looked like a washing machine full of Josh's carharts. I was not into it." --Sockmonkey
Re: Looking for a great inexpensive light?
Im sold! Ordering................... NOW!
Grateful Diver wrote:I just picked up one of these this week ...
http://www.diverightinscuba.com/catalog ... -3380.html
Took it diving in Lake Washington yesterday. At 85 ffw I gave it a side-by-side comparison against my 21W HID Salvo, and I must say I'm pretty impressed. Pretty close to the same shape and intensity beam ... not quite as bright, but I was after all comparing a $90 light to one that costs over $1000.
Anyway, it'll blow the britches off of any other handheld I've seen ... can easily be used as a primary for someone who doesn't want to spend money on a can light ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do."
-Confucius
-Confucius