Looking for 10w HID

[bernieflyer]

I'll be in cave country from Feb 27th to March 13th. So a 10w Hid would be a good idea to upgrade from my old MLS Quartz halogen. Can anyone tell me if there's a big difference between the fixed narrow beam and the other fixed one? Which is better in caves??

Here's my take: my first HID was the 13* fixed. Several years later I got a Slimline, and I asked which bulb I should get, 6* or 13*. The guy at Dive-Rite said all the cave divers are getting the 6* now, so that's what I got.

I don't care for it. The 13* is now my sidemount light, so I get to compare and contrast between the two bulbs. I like the 13* MUCH better.

That's MY opinion. Talk to others, too.

Russell

[bernieflyer]

You`re losing me more than ever. What are you guys talking about? So I'm guessing the 13 is the standard the 6 is the narrow beam?

Yes. In 2001 the thirteen degree was the "standard" bulb. Over the next few years the six degree "narrow" bulb has become standard, and the thirteen degree has come to be thought of as a "flood."

[curtschu]

Is this because the 10 watt bulb needs to be narrow so it can be seen by divers with 18 watt and higher? If every one was diving 13 degree bulbs wouldn't you have a better spread of light.

[FW]

This is what I have observed.

The old halogen lights "spilled" a lot of light out the side. They had a bright central beam, but had light near the diver on the cave walls.

When I switched to a 10W, 6 deg, HID, I felt like I was in the dark. I got used to it pretty quickley though.

A 13 deg spreads the light out near the diver, but doesn't reach as far. You "feel" better, but can't see way ahead of you.

Another option is an adjustable light head. They are more like the old halogen lights. A strong central beam, and some side light. The downside is they cost more.

If you want an good, inexpensive light, get the 6 deg, and "get used to it" :-)

[curtschu]

How about this, Put a 6 degree MR16 bulb in a slighty oversized handle. then embed 4 5watt LEDs around the bezel.

[ScubaBob-Squaretank]

I just bought a 10w HID Sartek with the focusable head. So far it works great. You can set the beam from a small point to a very wide beam. 8)