Cree Dive HeadLamp Attempt #2

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by scubamike

I have been testing the headlamp for the last week or so and I had some mix feelings about it. I have purchased new 2900mAh batteries and have been running the headlamp in a bucket of water.

Initially, the light would ran for 30 minutes and then it would gradually become dimmer. After about 1 hour and 30 minutes, you can look directly at the reflector. I tested this with batteries rated at 2300mAh (real rating).

The headlamp was extremely bright the first few days. But it seems, that now is a lot dimmer. It's very hard to tell when you dont have a measuring device. I think the led degraded to maybe 160-170 lumens.

There is a 2 inch gap between the heatsink and the plastic body. I tried filling it up with aluminum wrap to get as much contact to the body as possible. The heatsink gets really hot. Not enough to burn, but I guess too hot for the LED. I dont think there is any other way for me to reduce the heat.

what kind of houseing is the light in. You could try to convert to some kind of glass front and aluminum or steel houseing. That would turn the entire thing into a heat sink.

[scubamike]

I know it's been a long time. But I have not been diving that much...

Well first real diving review:
First Night: I was a little bit afraid of doing a full night dive without a backup light. Mine UK40 light broke so I didn't bring it on this trip. I decided to jump into the water max depth of 10 feet. There were a few other divers in the water. They had the usual lights, 4 X D batteries, 3 x C batteries, etc. A lot of mixed dive lights.

I jumped into the water, powered on the light...and outshined them all!!!! it was amazing. There was only one light brighter than the modded Pelican. It was attached to a video camera so it must be either a Halogen lamp. (Right??)

Just amazing, as it was so noticeable. After a few more night dives, the light survived all the test.

[Reg]

ScubaMike, I noticed there is a new LED out. The MTE SSC P7 Have you seen the spec's?

[divepapi]

Originally Posted by Reg

ScubaMike, I noticed there is a new LED out. The MTE SSC P7 Have you seen the spec's?

P7- 2800mA at 3.6-5volt. 900 lumens. Deal Extreme has them for about $25 and Kaidomain.com has the full 2800mA driver starting at $7 and a 3 mode one for $12. I am currently playing with one. Really bright.

[scubamike]

Hi guys,

Whoa I haven't followed up on the LEDs light until 2 weeks ago. I wanted to replace the single Q5 I had with another P4. So i have 3 X P4 in the Pelican light at the moment.

The P7 looks amazing!!!. Whoa... 900 lumens at 2800mA?? I have to read more about it. A little skeptical..but the way technology is going...

This light
DealExtreme: $44.73 MTE SSC P7 C-Bin 900-Lumen 2-Mode LED Flashlight (1*18650)
Seems to be an easily modded dive light. As long as the lens, reflector is sealed to the housing. Which seems to be the case by looking at the picture.

C'mom somebody pull the trigger and buy this light and take a dip at 80FT.

[Reg]

If its has a push button on/off it won't last, either that all the glass will break under the pressure.

Could probably try it with cheaper unit to test it out....

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by Reg

If its has a push button on/off it won't last, either that all the glass will break under the pressure.

Could probably try it with cheaper unit to test it out....

yup... the clickie is sealed, but not sealed well - it'll keep water out if you drop it in a puddle, but not at depth... also, the glass is pathetically thin, so it would need to be reinforced...

[divepapi]

Originally Posted by scubamike

Hi guys,

Whoa I haven't followed up on the LEDs light until 2 weeks ago. I wanted to replace the single Q5 I had with another P4. So i have 3 X P4 in the Pelican light at the moment.

The P7 looks amazing!!!. Whoa... 900 lumens at 2800mA?? I have to read more about it. A little skeptical..but the way technology is going...

This light
DealExtreme: $44.73 MTE SSC P7 C-Bin 900-Lumen 2-Mode LED Flashlight (1*18650)
Seems to be an easily modded dive light. As long as the lens, reflector is sealed to the housing. Which seems to be the case by looking at the picture.

C'mom somebody pull the trigger and buy this light and take a dip at 80FT.

Just built a P7 canister and man it is bright. I have a Salvo 21W LED and the P7 definitely keeps up with it. The P7 is not as intense, but for the $800 savings, it can definitely keep up witht he Salvo. The Salvo is a little bluer. At 15', the circle of brightness is about the same diameter. I am using a Maglite housing and 8 NiMH AA batteries to drive this thing.

Overall very impressive....