New Dive Light Considerations: Opinions needed?

[djmccarthy]

Hello,
Considering investing in a new primary dive light that can be worn on my hand and woujld like to avoid the canaister style. Will be taking the TDI Decompression & Advanced Nitrox Courses this summer but will be primarily a recreational diver who will be finishing up the SSI Dive Control Specialist Course this spring and will be doing the Big Island, Hawaii Manta Ray Night Dive in Seeptember. ALready have my camera photo / video set up for a Canon G-11Camera w/ Go Pro Hero 2 Video mounted on the Hotshoe of the RecSea U/W Case along w/ Sea & Sea YS-01 Strobe & Light & Motion Sola 600 Video light. Considering the following three: #1 - Light & Motion Sola 1200 Dive Light; #2 - Big Blue VL-1800 Light; #3 -Big Blue VL-1300 Light. Any opinions?

Thanks!

 

[g1138]

The Sola's are very bright but very pricey. I've only seen the photo version of the Sola 1200 in action. It's very blinding.

If you're fine with a cheaper 130-220 lumens light you can get a Oxycheq Raider III/IV light sock and one of the following torches that will fit in it.
Intova Mini
Intova Compact
Inova Tactical
Dorcy Penetrator II
And any other torch with a 1.4-1.5" diameter.

I just wrote up a spec comparison on the 4 lights. Viewed here in Post #16
link

 

[divad]

Re the Big Blue video lights: don't video light reflectors eliminate the hot spot necessary for signaling?

 

[djmccarthy]

Thanks. But looking for more lumens. My back - up is the Big Blue CF-250 and currently my primary is the big and bulky, pistol style grip, Princeton Tec Shockwave LED w/ 400 lumens, so I am looking for at least twice that. For the night and technical diving.

 

[diveprof]

I came across this the other day and am considering it. Impressive stats.
Light-For-Me 3 XPG Rec - powerful 1000 lumen back up light, Dive Torch Light

 

[Shftrdog]

Light & Motion all the way, you can't go wrong with them.

 

[mbsub]

Maybe the PHOTON is the right choise for you.
mb-sub.com: PHOTON


Michael

 

[DiveMaven]

Have you looked at Nocturnal Lights? You can get one with a neoprene hand mount and they have 800 lumens. There's also two different cones that come with it so you can choose a diffused light or a more spot light type of beam....and they're so easy to install that you can change them whenever you want. We've had Nocturnal Lights for over 5 years and absolutely recommend them 100%.

 

[djmccarthy]

Thanks to all. I think I've decided to go with the Sola. I'm an exhibitor at the upcoming Boston Sea Rovers Dive convention and L&M is there as an exhibitor as well. Hoping to maybe get a discount at the show. Either way, I think the Sola is the way I'm going to go. Thanks again.

 

[p1p]

I came across this the other day and am considering it. Impressive stats.
Light-For-Me 3 XPG Rec - powerful 1000 lumen back up light, Dive Torch Light

the better LFM light is the Back Up XML. I have one, and it rocks. With the mini body, its nice and small. 6degree beam (instead of 16) It far exceeds the Sola when its it in spot mode, and has swappable batteries. Cheaper than the Sola's too! Get an OxyCheck light glove and your are golden.