if you are going to be using this torch as your primary light whilst night diving, you need to get something decent, and I think for $200 you might be pushing it a bit. The Alpha Halogen umbilical lights are great, I have one and sware by it. Battery pack straps to your tank and all you have is a small light in your hand. I might know someone that wants sell an Alpha if you're keen
the UK (Underwater Kinetics) Light cannons are also pretty good, but a bit bulky compared to the umbilical style. Anything HID is great, but a bit pricey.
Also you want to get get yourself a reserve light, just a little UK Q40 or something like that, and a couple of chemical light sticks.
For what its worth, I put a flashing strobe on my reg which works a treat according to my buddy. Its amazing how dark it get down there, then throw in a bit of silt and a bit of crab/ prawn chasing its easy to get lost.
Most of the Cree lights will outshine a 10W HID and the light will be much whiter, BUT it is not so good fro chasing prawns as it won't show the red eyes. It will be great for scallops though, you will see many more then a non white light torch.
If you are chasing a high lumen light, 500 and up, most P7 or R series Cree LEDs will be cheap to run and cost much less then a Light Cannon or any cannister/umbilical type lights.
Just got a Princeton Tec Shockwave LED, haven't gone in the water with it yet but it seems pretty alright, 400 lumens, 12-20 hr burn time. Got it for $150 from the US delivered so within your price range.
Keep an eye out for a second hand Alpha or similar. I picked up an Alpha 2000 out of the Quoka for $250. Great torches for night diving or prawn chasing.
I have attached a stubby holder to the torch, which goes over my wrist and allows me to be hands free.
I also use a small LED light that is attched to the side of my mask.
After something like 350 night dives with my alpha 2000 I cant fault them. hands free wiht a stubby holder, light where you need it while catching prawns or crabs (with it on your wrist it shines where your hand points). have replaced the battery pack twice (battery world) and a couple of globes. It was the best purchase diving wise I have made.
Me too like anytime Brad i also have done loads of night dives with an alpha 2000 i did change the globe to a IRC so as to get a longer burn time i now get 80 plus min and my torch hasnt missed a beat so if you can afford the extra go to the scuba warehouse on scarbrough beeech road and get one you will never look back it was the cheapest place i could find to buy one by a mile when i bought mine. my torch has wel and trully paid for itself just in prawns caught using it time and time again
Matt T
Posts: 875
Date Joined: 19/11/07
UK
The C models are pretty damn good. Have a look at dive imports.
GrahamM
Posts: 648
Date Joined: 19/01/09
What do you want the torch
What do you want the torch for ? looking in ledges or night dives this makes a big difference in what to get .
i would look on the net Ebay or go to the scuba wharehouse on scarbrough beech rd
Dean
Posts: 1943
Date Joined: 23/02/07
depends what you want it
depends what you want it for? crays or prawns etc.
brenz
Posts: 2182
Date Joined: 15/06/06
night disving
night disving
hunterdive
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 24/02/09
if you are going to be using
if you are going to be using this torch as your primary light whilst night diving, you need to get something decent, and I think for $200 you might be pushing it a bit. The Alpha Halogen umbilical lights are great, I have one and sware by it. Battery pack straps to your tank and all you have is a small light in your hand. I might know someone that wants sell an Alpha if you're keen
the UK (Underwater Kinetics) Light cannons are also pretty good, but a bit bulky compared to the umbilical style. Anything HID is great, but a bit pricey.
Also you want to get get yourself a reserve light, just a little UK Q40 or something like that, and a couple of chemical light sticks.
For what its worth, I put a flashing strobe on my reg which works a treat according to my buddy. Its amazing how dark it get down there, then throw in a bit of silt and a bit of crab/ prawn chasing its easy to get lost.
that my 2c worth
Jared
kwozz
Posts: 36
Date Joined: 03/11/09
Underwater Kinetics
I second the UK lights, I haven't used their led lights but only heard good things.
I have a UK Light Cannon HID and love it, don't like the cost of new globes though...
I'd recommend going something rechargeable too I'm looking into getting the recharge pack for mine, should have done it from new
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
Most of the Cree lights will
Most of the Cree lights will outshine a 10W HID and the light will be much whiter, BUT it is not so good fro chasing prawns as it won't show the red eyes. It will be great for scallops though, you will see many more then a non white light torch.
If you are chasing a high lumen light, 500 and up, most P7 or R series Cree LEDs will be cheap to run and cost much less then a Light Cannon or any cannister/umbilical type lights.
Check out this thread and the many more there.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/lights/296796-review-cree-mc-e-diving-light.html
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
Just got a Princeton Tec
Just got a Princeton Tec Shockwave LED, haven't gone in the water with it yet but it seems pretty alright, 400 lumens, 12-20 hr burn time. Got it for $150 from the US delivered so within your price range.
Seaquest
Posts: 1142
Date Joined: 22/10/09
Keep an eye out for a second
Keep an eye out for a second hand Alpha or similar. I picked up an Alpha 2000 out of the Quoka for $250. Great torches for night diving or prawn chasing.
I have attached a stubby holder to the torch, which goes over my wrist and allows me to be hands free.
I also use a small LED light that is attched to the side of my mask.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Actually some guy in aus is
Actually some guy in aus is selling the princeton tec miniwave led for $150 which is a pretty decent deal.
Anytime Brad
Posts: 234
Date Joined: 20/07/09
dive torches
After something like 350 night dives with my alpha 2000 I cant fault them. hands free wiht a stubby holder, light where you need it while catching prawns or crabs (with it on your wrist it shines where your hand points). have replaced the battery pack twice (battery world) and a couple of globes. It was the best purchase diving wise I have made.
I would rather be fishing
GrahamM
Posts: 648
Date Joined: 19/01/09
Me too like anytime Brad i
Me too like anytime Brad i also have done loads of night dives with an alpha 2000 i did change the globe to a IRC so as to get a longer burn time i now get 80 plus min and my torch hasnt missed a beat so if you can afford the extra go to the scuba warehouse on scarbrough beeech road and get one you will never look back it was the cheapest place i could find to buy one by a mile when i bought mine. my torch has wel and trully paid for itself just in prawns caught using it time and time again