Shopping for affordable Setup: Research Attached

[gamefe]

Linked is the spreadsheet of GoPro 11 setups from $350 with no lights to $1600 dual light of 9200 lumens from a brand name. Some fancy brands and other cheap amazon brands. all prices include a GoPro 11.

I dive about 1-2 times a year on holiday, usually to something tropical and reefy. I don't want to spend a lot but I don't want to waste money on gear that doesn't really do anything. I have no expectations that I am about to be a National Geographic photographer with some kit. I last used a Gopro 3 with no lens or anything and the results were... not really worth it. Maybe 30 seconds worth sharing across 9 dives on the Great Barrier Reef. So I want to do better than that.

I am sure there is a difference between brands and "it says x lumens but don't trust it" probably applies to some of this. But I don't know.

I am currently trying to decide between three options; A: No lights just a backscatter red filter and macrolense for $510, B: Single NVS60 light with a knock off filter set for $520 or C: $960 for 12000 lumen two light setup around the DiveRig Sea60.

Anyone have opinions on these options? Did I misunderstand something? Choose crap? Miss a brand, make or setup that the rest of community knows and I am oblivious to?

 

[MidOH]

No lights for airline travel.

Just the widest tray Backscatter sells. 2 clamps, a bolt snap, and a single 12" float across the top.

I think my tray is a 14" wide Ultralight, and two Ultralight handles.

Save the big rigs for local, and car diving.

 

[Pearlman]

You don’t need lights for tropical diving in warm sunshine locations TBH. I dive without any and my videos look just fine. Except for those rare cloudy overcast days you won’t miss them at all… save yourself the money and excess baggage …

 

[gamefe]

You don’t need lights for tropical diving in warm sunshine locations TBH. I dive without any and my videos look just fine. Except for those rare cloudy overcast days you won’t miss them at all… save yourself the money and excess baggage …

Does it change for night dives or a focus on macro?

 

[gamefe]

No lights for airline travel.

Just the widest tray Backscatter sells. 2 clamps, a bolt snap, and a single 12" float across the top.

I think my tray is a 14" wide Ultralight, and two Ultralight handles.

Save the big rigs for local, and car diving.

 

[gamefe]

A single float across the top? I am not sure I understand what that means. Is that to mean attaching something positively buoyant or is that a special kind of equipment?

 

[MidOH]

Like this, but use the cheaper floatier (and adjustable) Backscatter Stix with jumbo floats.

That float arm won't float this camera, but still helps.

 

[MidOH]

This camera uses a Backscatter Stix Jumbo float in the center, and two floodable Kraken float arms:

Obviously way too heavy to travel with. 7+ pounds before adding lights or strobes. But great for any dive I drive to.

 

[Pearlman]

Does it change for night dives or a focus on macro?

There are threads on this forum about bright video lights and night diving etiquette. Hope you will learn something from it.

 

[MidOH]

Meh. Nobody has light etiquette on twilight dives.

If everyone stays out of the frame, and spreads out, no big deal.