Best canister light for signalling in poor vis ?

[SaltyWombat]

I need a canister light to attempt a GUE Fundies tec pass. After that I'd primarily use it for signalling in poor vis in California waters.

The Halcyon Focus 2.0 comes to mind since it has a 3 degree spot. I'd like to consider other brands though.

I'm told the Light Monkey LED can lights aren't terrific for signalling. I trust the person telling me this.

I hear UWLD mentioned a lot, but I don't know about the quality of its spot.

Any recommendations?

 

[grantctobin]

Focus 2
UWLD LD-40
LM 32W VF

If low vis punchiness is your most desired characteristic, you can often find LM 21W HID available cheaply used.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

I would say anything heavy enough to throw at your buddy or bang against your tank relentlessly.

 

[tbone1004]

Focus 2
UWLD LD-40
LM 32W VF

If low vis punchiness is your most desired characteristic, you can often find LM 21W HID available cheaply used.

The LM32VF is great if it works, but you can't count on that for reliability.
The Focus 2 is great since it focuses down to a laser pointer but it's expensive and not terribly bright.
LD40 does not have a clearly defined hotspot despite being a very narrow spot but is more than sufficient for signaling in nasty water.

What is critical to remember with low vis diving though is that no matter how tight the beam or how powerful the light, it still needs to be able to get through the particulate. If the sun only allows for 10ft of visibility, you won't be able to signal anyone farther than 10ft away

 

[Ulfhedinn]

A better question might be... Best can light for signaling in the day in good vis water. This is the issue I run into often. If you can see it in the day in clear Cali water then low vis is no issue. YMMV

@tbone1004 LM32VF has issues? I was looking at one to add to my lights. Now you have me rethinking.

I looked at LD. I dont care for the "blueskin" of lights. Also the reason I stopped looking at the Halcyon model too.

 

[tbone1004]

A better question might be... Best can light for signaling in the day in good vis water. This is the issue I run into often. If you can see it in the day in clear Cali water then low vis is no issue. YMMV

@tbone1004 LM32VF has issues? I was looking at one to add to my lights. Now you have me rethinking.

I looked at LD. I dont care for the "blueskin" of lights. Also the reason I stopped looking at the Halcyon model too.

Depends on what kind of signaling you are trying to do and how bright it is. For that, the brighter the better but you have to be careful about how you're signaling though because you aren't going to be doing a whole lot other than flashing someone to get their attention and get them to look at you. There's a reason light signals aren't taught until night diving courses, they aren't really useful during the day even with the most powerful of lights

 

[San Diego Climber]

I recently got an LD40, maybe 10 dives on it so far. I'm happy with it, I haven't need anything other than low or medium brightness yet, regardless of night/day or visibility in San Diego waters.

 

[SuperSeaMonkey]

I think you can't go wrong with any of the canister lights that you have mentioned. I'm running the LM 32W VF right now. The mean isn't as tight as the Halcyon Focus 2.0 or UWLD. If you want a pinpoint laser beam, then go with the Halcyon Focus 2.0 or UWLD. There are pros and cons of each light. When the LM 32W lights first came out, they had a bad batch of cables that hard shorts. LM replaced it for free. I've dove mine for several years and have gone from Tech Pass to Cave 1 to Tech 1. It's been reliable so far and customer service is very fast. The shortest time I've gotten my light back was under a week and the longest time I've received my light back was under 2 weeks. Both LM and UWLD have amazing customer service as many people will attest to.

What kind of diving do you plan to do? What kind of classes will you be taking after Fundies?

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I have a Salvo 35W HID that was fantastic for that. Tight, powerful beam. When I was doing alot of low viz diving it sure made me easy to see!

I still have it but no longer use it. I've been thinking about selling it. I probably should get it posted.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Local conditions where you are diving make a huge difference in what works. Not all low vis is the same. We have low vis days where the particulate seems smaller and backscatter isn't bad. Lots of lights work well. We also have other days with similar vis where the particulate is larger and backscatter is really bad without a tight beam with controlled spill. Because of this I prefer a beam with minimal spill and have continually gone back to my Focus 1 from other lights I've tried. At some point I'll upgrade to the Focus 2. You should really see what is popular amongst people who frequently dive where you plan to make most your diving and ask those divers their opinions.