New Torch, Dry Suit and Regulator

[ajmitchell]

I am in the fortunate position of having come into some money (~£1800) and am looking to replace my torch, suit and regulator in time for the new season, perhaps at the LIDS if the deals are as good as I have been told. I was probably aiming to split my budget into about equal parts on each, and am after any advice on what I could get for my money. I have heard a lot about LED torches - am I right that they have a longer burn time than HID (on one days diving) and am now catching up in the brightness stakes? Most of my diving is UK based on RIBs or hardboats so two dives without charging is a must. I have heard a lot of good things about Kowalskis as well and umbilical torches seem to be the flavour of the month too. Any thoughts? Is it worth stretching to a DUI dry suit? I've dived with (the same, rather battered but much loved) membrane suit for 10 years and would welcome any comparisons between them and neoprene - most people seem firmly entrenched in one camp or the other. My reg is older than my suit and is a priority for replacement, I have tried a friend's ScubaPro out and was impressed that might just be in comparison to my 'elderly' kit!

Many thanks for any advice!

[Michael Purcell]

The LED lights definitely have the output of the HID lights.
The one place they don't match (yet) is in producing a beam suitable for signaliing your team member(s). So as far as the DIR crowd are concerned, probably not yet. Having said that I had an opportunity to use one on a night dive and if I hadn't just finished a GUE course I might have been tempted. Even at the higher price. (it was about 2000 euros at the time, but I noticed yesterday they are down around the 1400 mark. (Hence my post below asking about Primary Lights...)

[PeteM]

The LED lights definitely have the output of the HID lights.

In my experience the light does not penetrate anywhere near as well, a mate binned his Greenforce LED after diving with me and my 10 watt HID

[Woz]

I would say you would have to be bonkers to buy a DUI. The prices when compared to any other suit manufacturer are ridiculous. Although I have seen a TLS350 on sale for £599 (that's about half price).

Aha. Here you go. Not neoprene, though. http://www.deepbluedive.com/product.aspx?id=11295

[Michael Purcell]

In my experience the light does not penetrate anywhere near as well, a mate binned his Greenforce LED after diving with me and my 10 watt HID

Depends what you are doing with it I guess, and how much "backscatter" you are getting in the water. The Solus that I tried produced far more light (In pitch black)than a HID 10watt (Though perhaps not the rated Light Output Comparable to 250 Watt Halogen / 50 Watt HID Lamp

The lack of a tight beam does produce some backscatter and inability for light sabre signalling. Regardless I was only pointing out they can be worth a look depending on the diving you do...especially if you are a photographer/videographer...

[PeteM]

Depends what you are doing with it I guess, and how much "backscatter" you are getting in the water. The Solus that I tried produced far more light (In pitch black)than a HID 10watt (Though perhaps not the rated Light Output Comparable to 250 Watt Halogen / 50 Watt HID Lamp

The lack of a tight beam does produce some backscatter and inability for light sabre signalling. Regardless I was only pointing out they can be worth a look depending on the diving you do...especially if you are a photographer/videographer...

I got the impression it was not just the focus but also the colour temperature but that is a very subjective assessment.

If I was buying an umbilical today I would definitely look at the Solus and maybe one or two other LEDs, but that look would have to be underwater. But at the moment I am happy with my HID and I am trying to avoid a "You've bought what!" situation at present

[ajmitchell]

Thank you all for your replies.

Is the whole 'Dry Until Immersed' thing more of a joke than a reality then? I'm not sure I need all the extras, at least not at that price.

I have a camera, and am planning to add a strobe to it at some point, but as most of my diving is UK based I am more concerned with a powerful, robust torch that will allow me to dive safely at ~50m. I have a couple of small LED torches which I use as modelling lights (I find macro work is often the best bet in UK waters). I've done some more reading and it seems to me that HID torches (and their expensive bulbs) might be a bit fragile for UK RIB diving - fair comment? I know a lot of torches are will built but replacing a bulb at £180 is quite an outlay.

Any regulator manufacturers you would advise against?

[Woz]

I'd stick with Apeks or Scubapro at a push. But that's me. You'll find all sorts of different opinions. Personally I wouldn't touch Poseidon with a bargepole or any warmwater reg (cheapo Cressi for example).

Torches LEDs are coming down but still an umbilical HID is the dog's doo dahs. But they're very expensive. You can get a cracking Brightstar 21W handheld lantern rechargeable HID for just over £200 which is well worth a look. Aquasomeone in Glasgow stocks them. Avoid HIDs that use Welch Allyn bulbs (Halcyon for example). The Brightstar bulbs (Greenforce, Salvo) are much tougher.

If you're anywhere near Nottingham then pop in and have a play. I've got all sorts in my garage and can show you the ins and outs of each type.

[ajmitchell]

I am certainly getting the ScubaPro/Apeks vibes regulator wise.

I like the look of the Darkbuster - it seems you could almost double the price with accessories!

Thanks again for all your comments. I think my pockets are going to be considerably lighter very soon.

[Woz]

Also have a shuftie at the 5W 200 Lumen Tektite Expedition LS4 (Lumb Bros do them).

It's bloody bright. And £99.