New Dorcy Dive Light

[CompuDude]

Does look pretty sweet, but I'm not going to replace my Raider I with that unless something happens with my existing light. I'll definitely take a closer look should that happen, though.

Only two things I don't care for: I like the shorter length of the Raider I, from a harness mounting standpoint. I do like the Dorcy's thinner light shroud, though. And I don't like needing so many AAAs, compared to 3 AAs. Oh, and I wish the mounting point for the lanyard/bolt snap was centered instead of on the edge... that's going to make it hang a little funny. Not as bad as some others I've seen, but still not ideal.

[JahJahwarrior]

Honestly, the Raider 1 is a great light. But it's nothing earth shattering. I don't get why all of a sudden it seems everyone on the internet is talking about the Raider 1 and comparing every light to it, when I've never seen one outside of a dive shop in the Florida cave diving scene, and when my buddy's backups are much brighter, and cheaper. (my backups are cheaper still and not as bright.. )

This light looks cool, and interesting, coming from a manufacturer who doesn't, to my knowledge, have much of a foot in the door in the diving world.

[mike_s]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Does look pretty sweet, but I'm not going to replace my Raider I with that unless something happens with my existing light. I'll definitely take a closer look should that happen, though.

Only two things I don't care for: I like the shorter length of the Raider I, from a harness mounting standpoint. I do like the Dorcy's thinner light shroud, though. And I don't like needing so many AAAs, compared to 3 AAs. Oh, and I wish the mounting point for the lanyard/bolt snap was centered instead of on the edge... that's going to make it hang a little funny. Not as bad as some others I've seen, but still not ideal.

I would prefer it used 3 AA's also. so I understand.

I'm not a big fan of AAA's (compared to AA's). But this light seems to overcome that worry. (as does my other higher output LED AAA light). (My princeton tec AAA LED light just basically 'sucks dirt' and I don't use it).

But since my 2 year old little boy has a lot of toys that use both sets of batteries, I've learned to buy them "in bulk" in 48 packs at Sams Club. So at least now days I've got them!

You could drill the other side out and run a line through a hole on each side. that would center where the lanyard/snapbolt is. easy enough to fix.

Originally Posted by JahJahwarrior

Honestly, the Raider 1 is a great light. But it's nothing earth shattering. I don't get why all of a sudden it seems everyone on the internet is talking about the Raider 1 and comparing every light to it, when I've never seen one outside of a dive shop in the Florida cave diving scene, and when my buddy's backups are much brighter, and cheaper. (my backups are cheaper still and not as bright.. )

well after seeing this light and find out the Raider I is only 80 lumens, I think I'd spend a little more money (like $140) and get the Raider IV (or mabye it's the III) that runs on CR123's and is 250+ Lumens. same size as the Raider I (or close to it).

This light looks cool, and interesting, coming from a manufacturer who doesn't, to my knowledge, have much of a foot in the door in the diving world.

When I emailed them and asked them some questions, this is their first dive product. But they've been making lights for some time. they are trying to get their foot in the door it seems. so far it seems they have a decent light.

[mike_s]

All.

I was tinkering with this light and a multi-meter the other night after Compudude asked a question about the battery configuration on another thread.

The light has two banks of batteries. Lets call them "Bank 1" and "Bank 2" for easy reference. (as shown on the below diagram)

Each bank has 3 AAA batteries in it and is 4.8 volts.

Then it appears that the two banks are wired in parallel to the connector that goes to bulb. (4.8 volts output from the parallel banks).

As shown on this diagram I made of previous pics



Also, you can run the light with just "one bank" of batteries (of 3 AAA's).
It has the same brightness of the LED, but the only difference is porportional reduced battery time as the light is only drawing off one bank as opposed to two banks.

Not sure why you'd want to do this on a dive if you had 6 new AAA's, unless you're a few batteries short at the dive site and still want to use it.

According to their specs at Dorcy International - Flashlights, LED Flashlights, Flashlight Batteries, Flashlight Bulbs

burn time with 6 AAA's is 8 hours. So I imagine that with only 3 AAA's you'd get 4 hours or perhaps a little less.

Just interesting tidbit is all.
-Mike

[mike_s]

Oh.. one more thing, the person I was asking questions to at Dorcy emailed me was a DISCOUNT CODE for use on their website.

It's for 20% off any light at Dorcy Direct (their online retail website), plus free shipping.


So for this light, with Free Shipping it should save anyone $20-$25 bucks or so (depending on what shipping costs would have been)

Put in the Discount Code of Scuba

The code is good until later this year.

The direct link for this light is 180 Lumen Submersible & Waterproof LED Scuba Dive Light


Hope that's helpful to anyone who was looking at buying one.

-Mike

[Byte Me]

Mike - nice write up and thanks for the effort! I've been looking for a pocket sized backup light and your discount code pushed me over edge to try this. All I can say is - holy crap - this sucker is BRIGHT. Ordered it 10/17, arrived 10/21. Threw in 6 old remote control AAAs and took the dogs for a walk. Threw a beam all the way down the street with ease, I started to feel like a peeping tom! Haven't had it underwater yet but will report back when I do. Going to jamaica in a couple weeks - don't know if I'll get a night dive in though.

[mike_s]

Glad I could help.

DiverAL on Scubaboard took mine diving last week and really liked it. His first reply when he shinned it in his eyes at the house was "I won't be able to drive for at least 5 minutes".

I'm hoping to get it wet this weekend.

I replaced the Lanyard with a better one and a snap-bolt also... I've been meaning to take some pics of that and post it and hope to in the next day or two....

as for using it to walk the dog, my wife now wants this light to use to go find the cat to get it in for the night.... I think I'm going to have to buy a another one for her so I can get mine back! :rofl3:

-mike

[USF_Diver]

I don't know how I missed that promotion code, wow you just made a good deal great thanks man.

[Reg]

Interesting Light, The technical information on the website notes

* Submersible (IPX8) to depth of 100 meters

I thought the IPX8 standard was a test with 'flowing water' only to a max of 10m?

[cbope]

IPX8 is the rating for "continuous immersion" enclosures, there is no depth associated with that rating as far as I know. Here is the list of IPX ratings:

IP Rating Type of Water
IPX1 vertical dripping
IPX2 dripping (up to 15o tilt)
IPX3 spraying (up to 60o angle)
IPX4 splashing from any direction
IPX5 jets from any direction
IPX6 powerful jets from any direction
IPX7 temporary immersion
IPX8 continuous immersion

Originally Posted by Reg

Interesting Light, The technical information on the website notes

* Submersible (IPX8) to depth of 100 meters

I thought the IPX8 standard was a test with 'flowing water' only to a max of 10m?