Advice on dive lights for my advanced course

[turko]

Hello,

I'm about to start my advanced adventurer course and need to buy a primary and backup light. My diving school suggested me these two.

Primary: Big Blue AL1100 (170 dollars)
Backup: Big Blue AL250 ( 70 dollars)

These prices are converted from the Brazilian Currency, but I can buy stuff in the US since my brothers lives there and is visiting next month. So any advices? I would like to get something cheaper with the same or better quality.

Thanks!

 

[RainPilot]

https://www.amazon.com/Goldengulf-F...TF8&qid=1486756731&sr=8-8&keywords=Dive+light would make reasonable primary.

https://www.amazon.com/BlueFire-Fla...TF8&qid=1486756731&sr=8-4&keywords=Dive+light or buy 2-3 of these.

This link should give you some cheap options, for now I wouldn't spend big money on lights. The Chinese stuff is fine for basic AOW stuff and won't break the bank.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Dive+light

 

[shurite7]

Both the lights you mentioned are good quality.

The AL250 is a small light with decent lumens for its size. The price of $70 is a bit high for that light. Here in the states you can get it for around $50.00.

When it comes to the AL1100 be sure not to get the AL1100xwp. The xwp version is wide angle good for video cameras.

There are numerous options for dives lights. You can spend your entire diving career going from one light to the next trying to determine which one you want. Get a light that is good quality (Big Blue has good lights) and easy to replace batteries or at least rechargeable batteries.

 

[Yancey M]

I've got an Xtar D26 as a primary light.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Xtar-D26-L2-U...%3A2a47f3ae15a0a2a597d20e3dfffb9288%7Ciid%3A1
I works great and last over 90 minutes with good 26650s. I keep it on a goodman glove with a snap ring attached so I can attach it to a D-ring.


My backup light is the Mako 680 Dive Light.
680 Lumen Dive Light | MAKO Spearguns
It's compact and easy to use plus it takes CR123a batteries so I just keep a couple fresh ones around in a battery dry case.

Both have served me well and work great. You could get both of them for the price of that Big Blue 1100.

 

[tbone1004]

two of these
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S8Z7PZ...UTF8&colid=20R1B8EYPPCRL&coliid=IPJFBTD2D2FQT
one of these
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WDQTIN...TF8&colid=20R1B8EYPPCRL&coliid=I115F5AJGO63FM
one of these
https://www.amazon.com/NiteCore-D4-...d=1486759259&sr=8-2&keywords=d4+18650+charger

total is $140. Gets you two high end backup lights that are going to be comparable but better than the Big Blue 1100, gives you 4 batteries that are going to be better than anything BB or really any other mfg from Asia is going to supply you with, and a high end charger, also better than anything else you're liable to get stock.

 

[Caveeagle]

I have been very happy with Dive Rite BX-1 lights. They are good back-up lights and are plenty bright enough to use as a primary. They can use either 3xAAA or a single 18650 which works out great for >1hr dives. (even thought they will burn longer). I think I paid around $70 each for mine.

 

[turko]

Just saw this one for 30 bucks with the batteries. It's similar to the ones on Amazon and although it says 800 lumens it has the same Cree light announced as 1000 lumens on other lights.

 

[tursiops]

Just saw this one for 30 bucks with the batteries. It's similar to the ones on Amazon and although it says 800 lumens it has the same Cree light announced as 1000 lumens on other lights.

?? Link shows $60, not $30.

 

[turko]

?? Link shows $60, not $30.

The site is crazy, it shows 30 on my pc and 50 on my phone. Try chrome on your pc. Maybe it's because I'm accessing it from Brazil.

 

[stuartv]

I've got an Xtar D26 as a primary light.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Xtar-D26-L2-U3-1100-Lumens-Diving-LED-Flashlight-Full-Set-w-Charger-and-Battery-/112208096766?hash=item1a201fadfe:g:CuUAAOSwA3dYLoJQ&_trkparms=pageci%3Aae241c86-efe5-11e6-a2c3-74dbd1807acf%7Cparentrq%3A2a47f3ae15a0a2a597d20e3dfffb9288%7Ciid%3A1
I works great and last over 90 minutes with good 26650s. I keep it on a goodman glove with a snap ring attached so I can attach it to a D-ring.


My backup light is the Mako 680 Dive Light.
680 Lumen Dive Light | MAKO Spearguns
It's compact and easy to use plus it takes CR123a batteries so I just keep a couple fresh ones around in a battery dry case.

Both have served me well and work great. You could get both of them for the price of that Big Blue 1100.

Another very happy Xtar D26 user here! It's a great light and they're only $63 on eBay. With 1 good 26650 battery (<$26 for 4 Soshine 5500mAh on eBay - I have these and they actually test around 5300 mAh), a D26 will run on High long enough for 2 normal dives without needing to change batteries in between. With a light that uses an 18650 battery, I would feel compelled to change batteries between dives.