Ikelite PC-A comments

[gibson1525]

i wish money was no option, thanks for the suggestions.

[teknitroxdiver]

I have used a PC-a for many years, and have to say that I love it. No, it is not the brightest light around, but for it's size and price it does incredibly well. It's bright enough to be used as a primary in the daytime and a backup at night (or a night primary if you like darker night dives, I do sometimes).

I don't know what they're rated for, but mine not only survived but worked well at 200+ feet.

[gibson1525]

thanks, glad to hear it's rugged. all i want it for is a nice backup that is small. now all i have to do is make it to 250 posts so i can use my ST gift card!

[floater]

Originally Posted by gibson1525

i looked at some of the LED lights but i really like the size of the PC-A. if i was using it for a primary light, i'd look into LED but this is only my backup so i don't plan on running through too many batteries.

what's your suggestion for a small LED light i could use for a backup?

I use the Ikelite PCa and UK Mini Q40 eLED Plus as backups. Both have worked great so far and offer very good bang for the buck. I have experienced a failed bulb on each, but UK replaced the one of the Q40 and I bought a replacement for the PCa bulb from a dive shop in Cozumel (it was cheap). The only drawback on the Q40 is that there is no attachment point for a boltsnap at the back of the light, though I read here that you can add one yourself using plasti-aid (sp?) or some such.

There are better lights of course, but not in the $22-25 range as far as I known and given my preferences (I like the backups with AA batteries among other things).

[bversteegh]

Originally Posted by gibson1525

i looked at some of the LED lights but i really like the size of the PC-A. if i was using it for a primary light, i'd look into LED but this is only my backup so i don't plan on running through too many batteries.

what's your suggestion for a small LED light i could use for a backup?

The UK Q40 LED (4 AAs) is what I carry every dive in my BC pocket - pretty sure I got it at ST (current catalog doesn't show it, not sure why). Think they are around 25 dollars. I also have a Phantasea 45 LED light (they are around 70); I mount it to my camera; more than enough light for a primary dive light. I have never had to change a bulb (My old Ikelite's mini-C's I think they were called - 4 c cells) ate bulbs and batteries - could only get 3-4 night dives before battery change; My LED light easily lasts 2 weeks on a liveaboard on one set of batteries.

[gibson1525]

Originally Posted by bversteegh

The UK Q40 LED (4 AAs) is what I carry every dive in my BC pocket - pretty sure I got it at ST (current catalog doesn't show it, not sure why). Think they are around 25 dollars. I also have a Phantasea 45 LED light (they are around 70); I mount it to my camera; more than enough light for a primary dive light. I have never had to change a bulb (My old Ikelite's mini-C's I think they were called - 4 c cells) ate bulbs and batteries - could only get 3-4 night dives before battery change; My LED light easily lasts 2 weeks on a liveaboard on one set of batteries.

how did you mount the light to your camera? i'm looking into doing this before my trip over christmas.