UWLD for mid-Atlantic diving?

[Pumpkin King]

I’ve been reading threads here and saving for a canister light. Most of my diving will be mid-Atlantic quarries, rivers, and ocean diving on recreational OC, but I don’t have a good idea of the lumens required in these environments.

I have read the advice here and listened to others who recommend UWLD if it’s in the budget. The LD-20 (2,000 lumens) is on the upper end of what I can afford right now, but will I be disappointed not to have 4,000 in this area?

 

[DiveTucson]

The difference between the two light heads is $300.00. If you are going to spend that much on a light spend the extra $300. You will not be disappointed. I love mine and combined with the heat controller would not dive anything different. I have used it from the pacific, to lakes, to caves and now won't leave home without it.

 

[tbone1004]

spend the extra $300, it's well worth it

 

[JahJahwarrior]

You can always turn it down if it's too much,
Can't really turn it up

$300 is not much in technical diving world, but it isn't $0 either. If you have buddies who will let you borrow a light while you keep saving up, I would absolutely wait a bit and buy the brighter light. If you don't, then I would get new buddies

 

[rddvet]

I would go with the LD40. I started with the LD20, upgraded to the 35, and now have the 40 which I finally got to use the other day. IMO the 40 is light years better. I've always disliked the beam angle on the 20 and 35, it's too wide and leads to quite a bit of backscatter. My buddies jokingly call it the underwater silt dude. The 40 is so much better. The tighter beam angle gives it more punch similar to an hid, but it still has good spillover. It's also significantly brighter (more than I expected). But the decreasae in backscatter is very significant. Go with the 40 no questions asked. I always say buy once cry once. Buy the cheaper light and you'll want to upgrade.
One thing I don't like on the new 40 is the light ring around piezo. In the caves I found it distracting. In OW it may not be. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but it annoyed me enough I spun the light head around. I wish there was an option to shut it off.

 

[tbone1004]

I would go with the LD40. I started with the LD20, upgraded to the 35, and now have the 40 which I finally got to use the other day. IMO the 40 is light years better. I've always disliked the beam angle on the 20 and 35, it's too wide and leads to quite a bit of backscatter. My buddies jokingly call it the underwater silt dude. The 40 is so much better. The tighter beam angle gives it more punch similar to an hid, but it still has good spillover. It's also significantly brighter (more than I expected). But the decreasae in backscatter is very significant. Go with the 40 no questions asked. I always say buy once cry once. Buy the cheaper light and you'll want to upgrade.
One thing I don't like on the new 40 is the light ring around piezo. In the caves I found it distracting. In OW it may not be. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but it annoyed me enough I spun the light head around. I wish there was an option to shut it off.

check with @Bobby but I think it can be dimmed down, not sure how much. I agree that it is quite bright and distracting. I flip it over as well

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

Have you considered other lights such as the Dive Rite EX35? I really like mine and it's a good bit less expensive

 

[rddvet]

check with @Bobby but I think it can be dimmed down, not sure how much. I agree that it is quite bright and distracting. I flip it over as well

ive been meaning to email Bobby amd let him know how much I like the improvements so I’ll ask him. One other thing I like is he isn’t currently using his normal cord with the blue sheathing. The new cord is much better. I was never a big fan of the stiffness of the blue sheathing.

Have you considered other lights such as the Dive Rite EX35? I really like mine and it's a good bit less expensive

dive rite lights quality don’t seem to hold up to other similarly marketed lights such as the uwld and light monkey

 

[tmassey]

dive rite lights quality don’t seem to hold up to other similarly marketed lights such as the uwld and light monkey

As a reasonably happy owner of a Dive Rite HP50, I have to agree. Leaving out the wideish spot, I’ve had two build issues: first, the early rotating switch would jam *easily*. This was replaced with a newer design at no cost. Second, the gland at the canister has ripped. Still water tight, but now there’s no strain relief.

I received a healthy discount, so it was literally slightly more than half of what I would have paid for a comparable previous-gen UWLD. So on a curve, still happy. But at full price? I would recommend purchasing the UWLD, even at a 30% premium.

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

dive rite lights quality don’t seem to hold up to other similarly marketed lights such as the uwld and light monkey

Mine has been great so far. It's as bright as pretty much any light out there and has a 6 degree beam with appropriate spill. I also got it during black Friday sales and paid 40% of what an equivalent UWLD LD40 would cost. Sure the light output reduces a bit overtime but can't really beat it at the price I got it at. At 66% of what that UWLD light costs, I still think it's a pretty good deal