primary light for diving in cool low viz water

[mona]

I ended up using a 4C-type light for night diving down south and was happy with how that worked out. I'm not sure that kind of light is suitable as a primary light source for diving wrecks during daytime hours in the Great Lakes (Lake Erie, Lake Huron). Wondered what input some of you who dive the Great Lakes could provide.

I'm presently looking at the UK Sunlight C8 and as a back up light the SL4 or SL6. As I was happy with a 4C light down south I figured that would be a good option for my back up and I could then use it as my primary light (if I don't want to pack the C8) when I travel south. With that said, ST carries the UK Fathom 4 Pak which has the C8 and SL4 also it has the mini Q40 which I could use as a back up to the SL4 down south (correct me if I'm wrong). Essentially I want/need some basic lights for recreational diving - needing a good primary light for occasional wreck dives and a light I can use for occasional night dives down south (which could double as my back-up for wreck dives)

Any input/advice/suggestions is/are appreciated.

[medic001918]

I use a Dive Rite 10W HID canister light as my primary, but my wife and I both use the SL4 as a backup light. The SL4 has been reliable and it's compact enough to be easily stowed on our harnesses. I don't think you'd be disappointed with them.

Shane

[mitsuguy]

Look into the 4 c cell Princeton Miniwave LED - it is smaller, but has the same output as the 8 c cell Princeton light... pretty happy with mine...

[rawalker]

I have the 4c Princeton Tec Miniwav LED and have to agree with Mitsuguy. The light output in on par with most 8c LED lights and the battery life is good for a 4c light. I like not needing to carry another 4 cells.

[mona]

Thanks for the replies...
I thought I had finally come up with what might be a good combo of lights for me but came across more info and now I'm just confused/can't decide.

A reminder: dive situations I forsee need for dive lights - daytime dives in Great Lakes, lakes and rivers around SW Ontario, Michigan, Ohio area some dives to be wreck dives with viz ranging from good to fair/poor; occasional night dives when travelling south anticipating excellent to good viz. I understand about getting the best you can afford; don't think I need to biggest or most powerful light out there, just want some basic lights in case I need them. Not anticipating doing night dives in local waters any time soon.

I had decided on the PT miniwave LED light, UK SL4 and UK miniQ40. Somewhere I was reading that a wider beam (as in PT light) wouldn't be good in murky/reduced viz waters -most probably type of environment I'll encounter around here- and that a narrower beam might be better (as in UK SL4 or SL6 lights)...so now I'm thinking maybe I should get a UK SL4 LED, UK SL4 and UK mini Q40; thing is really the wattage is about the same for the 2 SL lights so my choice doesn't really make sense...so maybe the UK SL6 as primary (but using 6C vs 4c as in PT light and a bit less wattage in UK light)...I obviously am confused!! Would I really notice such a big difference in using the PT miniwave LED vs UK SL4 LED/xenon or SL6???

[rawalker]

The extra wattage output of the PT will compensate for it being slightly less focused and net you similar penetration in the murky water. However in clear water the higher output will be obvious. I'd stick with the PT Miniwav LED as a primary.
The UK Q40 Plus is a 4c AA 2 watt I use it as a backup and it is a good tight focus that cuts well for it's size and fits inside a pocket.