Looking for a particular setup

[Mycroft]

I already have a good set of lights, but I want to re-arrange and minimize my dive lights. So I need to find a light that meets the following criteria:

1. Bright enough to be a primary.
2. I think LED would be good.
3. Warrentied to at least 150 ft, preferably about 300 ft
4. 1-2 inches in dia or less
5. 4-6 inches long
6. Uses regular battery type, possibly regular NICD or NIMH (AAA, AA, C, D)
7. 3 or more hours burn time.
8. Reasonable price (<$100 each)

I've looked and looked, but no joy - anybody?

[Diver Kat]

Well as soon as you find it, the rest of us will buy it!! Sounds too good to be out there .....

[gregor]

Where are you doing your diving?

I picked up two of the oxycheq raider I's which are pretty darn bright (maybe too focused for a primary?) and for 65 bucks it's a sweet deal. I used it as a primary on night dives in Bonaire and had no problems at all with it. Runs on 3 AA's and gets 4+ hours burn time.

I know they are coming out with a Raider II that is 5 watts compared to the raider I's 3 watts, so brighter, same burn time and runs off 2 D batteries and should be right around that 100 dollar zone.

Not sure of others out there that meet your requirements, but i agree that you should probably be looking for LED as you aren't looking in the HID price range and LED has surpassed halogen as far as i'm concerned.

[beluga]

IKELITE LED PC-SERIES LITES

I got the PCa LED from ScubaToys earlier this summer.

[marchand]

have you looked at the uk sl4?

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by gregor

Where are you doing your diving?

I picked up two of the oxycheq raider I's which are pretty darn bright (maybe too focused for a primary?) and for 65 bucks it's a sweet deal. I used it as a primary on night dives in Bonaire and had no problems at all with it. Runs on 3 AA's and gets 4+ hours burn time.

I know they are coming out with a Raider II that is 5 watts compared to the raider I's 3 watts, so brighter, same burn time and runs off 2 D batteries and should be right around that 100 dollar zone.

Not sure of others out there that meet your requirements, but i agree that you should probably be looking for LED as you aren't looking in the HID price range and LED has surpassed halogen as far as i'm concerned.

Great backup, have to see it to see if it is good enough for a primary.

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by beluga

IKELITE LED PC-SERIES LITES

I got the PCa LED from ScubaToys earlier this summer.

I already have one of those as a backup, no way ar ethese good enough for a primary.

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by marchand

have you looked at the uk sl4?

Too big, not bright enough, already have the Ikelite equivalent as a backup light.

[BSea]

Originally Posted by Mycroft

Great backup, have to see it to see if it is good enough for a primary.

Gregor is right on the money. About the only thing wrong with the Raider as a primary would be the tight beam. If you wanted to light up a reef at night, you might look at something with a wider beam. Other wise the current Raider I, or the soon to come Raider II should do what you want, and be in your price range. For me, until I get a can light, my Raider I is plenty of light. And the tighter beam is fine for me.

[gregor]

unless you are in a big rush, i'd wait for the oxycheq raider II, which is the 5 watt version, if the 5 watt actually gives you 2 watts over the 3 watt (66% brighter) then it would be something i think would be a great primary for most dives, and then if you want to go brighter someday (can light) you have a great backup light. I also think that they are building the raider 2 as a "primary" so will have a wider beam. In all likelyhood i bet the raider 2 is going to appear just as bright as the raider 1 (which is plenty bright for a primary) but have a little wider hotspot and a little more spill so it works better as a primary. So the "extra" light (extra 2 watts) will help make the beam bigger not really brighter.

I'm impressed with the oxycheq stuff, seems like they are ready to stay on the top of this wave of LED technology. It won't be long before i'm turning in my 18 watt HID for an LED, just gotta wait for them to be brighter and just as focused.