Backup light and recreational primary light

[formernuke]

I'm not yet doing technical dives but it is coming soon.

I have a very nice canister light for a primary.

Situation has arose where there are times when I will be doing recreational dives and can't bring my can light.

My current lights are my can light, a dive rite bx2 and a hollis 3 c cell handheld (don't like it).

I don't have much experience with the bx2 yet as I just got it.

I'm looking for a light that I can use as a backup for tec dives and a primary for recreational night dives (ones where I can't bring my can light).

Would my bx2 already serve this purpose? I'm considering a light monkey 12 volt handy but on paper the bx2 is as good (except burn time).

What the thoughts of those who know more than me?

 

[Manatee Diver]

I thought that the Dive Rite CX1 was perfect for those roles. Thanks to the 26650 battery it is bright with a long battery life. It was bright enough that when my instructor failed my primary can light, that he thought I pulled out my HP50 handheld. I had no issues leading the rest of the dive and signaling with it. It has a tail cap which makes it less likely to be turned on when bungeed to your harness. The 26650 battery size also mean it is larger so it feels natural to carry in your hands vs some of the smaller lights I've encountered.

Unfortunately Dive Rite discontinued it for some reason. So you would have to find places that still have stock of them.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I would look at Sola dive lights. Scuba Diving

 

[lermontov]

the bx2 is perfect id just get another one like it get something you can a) put both back ups in a dry suit pocket b) interchange the batteries

 

[formernuke]

the bx2 is perfect id just get another one like it get something you can a) put both back ups in a dry suit pocket b) interchange the batteries

So the bx2, fits in my pockets, even with spare mask and snorkel (yes I carry a fold up because I made a promise) and it and its battery are cheap enough to get several.

 

[greeniguana]

Volador DF30 has been a good backup / rec dive primary.

 

[Boston Breakwater]

I'm not yet doing technical dives but it is coming soon.

I have a very nice canister light for a primary.

Situation has arose where there are times when I will be doing recreational dives and can't bring my can light.

My current lights are my can light, a dive rite bx2 and a hollis 3 c cell handheld (don't like it).

I don't have much experience with the bx2 yet as I just got it.

I'm looking for a light that I can use as a backup for tec dives and a primary for recreational night dives (ones where I can't bring my can light).

Would my bx2 already serve this purpose? I'm considering a light monkey 12 volt handy but on paper the bx2 is as good (except burn time).

What the thoughts of those who know more than me?

Hey.........Fohmahnuke. Howahyah?
Need some help on amount of lumen
Cheers.

 

[ajanelle]

The BX2 is perfect for what you need. I've absolutely abused it as a recreational dive light and it still works just as well as when I got it. I've been using it as a backup and it works perfectly. I have an Edge that I use for a similar purpose, and the BX2 is better in almost every way: better shape, size, durability, beam. The only thing the Edge beats it at is burn time. On my burn test, the BX2 eventually died at 6.5 hours (4 of which I didn't notice a tapering in intensity). The Edge started tapering at 4.5 and I gave up after it was still burning (albeit faintly) at 8 hours. Though, imo, if you need a backup that lasts more than four hours, you have other things you need to worry about.

 

[Ayisha]

I thought that the Dive Rite CX1 was perfect for those roles. Thanks to the 26650 battery it is bright with a long battery life. It was bright enough that when my instructor failed my primary can light, that he thought I pulled out my HP50 handheld. I had no issues leading the rest of the dive and signaling with it. It has a tail cap which makes it less likely to be turned on when bungeed to your harness. The 26650 battery size also mean it is larger so it feels natural to carry in your hands vs some of the smaller lights I've encountered.

Unfortunately Dive Rite discontinued it for some reason. So you would have to find places that still have stock of them.

I love my back-up Dive Rite CX1 as well. I was a little hesitant about the tail cap, but it has never managed to turn itself on. I have flown with the battery backwards or out just in case.

The CX1 is a fantastic light. I didn't know that it was discontinued. I wonder why?

 

[formernuke]

Being discontinued makes it hard to get, I'm going to try the bx2 on a night dive tonight.