UK versus Princeton

[russp]

I've decided to go with all LED lights, a 4C main, 4AA backup and tank locator. It's between the Princeton Miniwave and the UK C4 eLED for the main, any opinions of which is better? The Princeton set up ends up a little cheaper than the UK but not much.

UK package ($160):
Main C4 eLED
Backup Mini Q40+ eLED
Tank Locator

Princeton Tec package ($135):
Main Miniwave
Backup Impact XL LED
Eco Flare tank

[dbsea]

I have the Princeton miniwave & it is one great flood that is easy on batteries. The 2 position switch makes it even better.

[rawalker]

I also am a Princeton Tec Miniwave LED owner and am very happy with it as my primary. I own a UK Q40 eLED plus that I keep in a pocket as a backup light.

[skdvr]

I have the Princeton Tec Shockwave LED Light which is just the 8 cell version of the Tec Mini, and I think that it is a great light. I am glad that I did not spend the extra for the UK. I think that Princeton is just as nice...

Phil

[rktman26]

I have the Miniwave, and love it. I've never used UK, so I can't contrast the two.

[russp]

I'm getting the idea that Princeton is the winner here. So do I put the money I'm saving into coil lanyards or retractors or are the wrist straps good enough, at least for occaisional use?

[ScubaJ]

I've got the UK lights and love em. They are very tough; I know cause I've dropped the C4 eLED several times and set my gear on the tank light. They are very easy on batteries, easy to change batteries, and never flooded. Pretty much all I can ask for.
I've never used the Princeton, so I can't compare the two.

[bubbletrubble]

Originally Posted by russp

I'm getting the idea that Princeton is the winner here. So do I put the money I'm saving into coil lanyards or retractors or are the wrist straps good enough, at least for occaisional use?

You'll want to fashion some way to anchor the light to your rig. The wrist-strap, IMO, is insufficient. Some use a double-ended stainless steel bolt snap. Others (myself included) like the coil lanyards with plastic buckle to take up the excess length when not deployed.
For your backup light, I would highly recommend mounting it in DIR-fashion from a D-ring on your shoulder strap pointing down: bolt snap on end with bicycle innertube securing the head to the shoulder strap. Here's a picture from the GUE website showing how it can be mounted on a BP/W setup. I find that this mounting method keeps the backup light out of the way and easily deployable.
Happy diving...

[Coaster]

I like my miniwave and use a coil. I keep my backup in my pocket.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by russp

I've decided to go with all LED lights, a 4C main, 4AA backup and tank locator. It's between the Princeton Miniwave and the UK C4 eLED for the main, any opinions of which is better? The Princeton set up ends up a little cheaper than the UK but not much.

UK package ($160):
Main C4 eLED
Backup Mini Q40+ eLED
Tank Locator

Princeton Tec package ($135):
Main Miniwave
Backup Impact XL LED
Eco Flare tank

Go for the UK kit.

the Miniwave is a nice little light. But so is the C4 eLED.

The Mini Q40 eLED is a GREAT little backup light. One of the best out there. Way better than the Impact.

The Ecoflare is a GREAT idea. Shame about the poor execution. I loved mine... until I replaced it for the 4th time. PT was always very courteous about replacing it for free, but I still had to ship my dead one to them and wait for the replacement to show up.

The PT lights are cooler looking. They have an "edgy" factor that's kind of neat. And the cheaper price is nice, too.

UK and PT are both good about cheerfully replacing lights that have failed and flooded. They actually honor their warranties, which is a nice change of pace from the rest of the world. From what I have seen, however, it seems like people need take advantage of PT's warranty a bit more often than UK's.

I don't know about you, but I'd rather have my lights more reliable than "cool"... and I'll gladly pay a little bit more for that reliability.