back up lights

I've used Princeton Tec Tec40 lights for many years, never flooded them, never experienced bulb failure. But being back-up, I only really use them once in a while to practice just before battery substitution. I like the powerful beam, the size and handle shape.
Brought them below 330 a few times, but I've read about them being used as deep as 550. they're rated 500ft now, not 2000ft like they were initially; I contacted PT about this and they said 500 was more realistic!
I would suggest to add some silicon grease to the o-ring upon purchase, all of them came insufficiently lubed.

My tec40 worked great till it stopped. Wouldnt take new batteries for some reason, but the old ones worked fine. I replaced with the new DR Led light (4aa), which I love, though I havnt tried to exit on it yet. Not sure its beam is good enough for signaling. My other backup, a Pelican mini sabre is a 2C light, and puts out a very tight beam, but not much else.

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Originally Posted by Jay M

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Originally Posted by Sid

Mini Q-40's, cheap lifetime garantee and much brighter than the 3-C lights machined out of a solid bar of delrin, now if it were machined out a solid bar plutonium I might pay 80.00. Sid

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Ever made an exit on those? I'm looking for a smaller light, really something shorter than the 3C cell lights.

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Yeah I have exited on them, they are fine, besides you got the buddy lighting you up from behind with their big light most the time. Sid

FWIW :arrow: I have, and have been happy with, my PCa Lites (1400' exit from Telford), but they are bulky(wide), will flood if you're not careful to keep the o-ring clean, and I believe the 7watt halogen bulb has an projected life of 20 hours. I keep a small 2AA cell LED light in a pocket as an ultimate backup.[/quote]

You are right about them being a bit bulky. I like the profile of the new 4AA unit but have turned off a buddy's back up so many times I like the switch lock. I have not had any flooding issues with mine but I am pretty good about keeping the oring lubed and clean. I have thought about the led's but have not bought one yet. I will waite for my dive buddy's to do so then try thiers first.

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Originally Posted by jviehe

My tec40 worked great till it stopped. Wouldnt take new batteries for some reason, but the old ones worked fine.

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I've found that....for some reason...Engergizer Max batteries won't work in the Tec 40's. I think it's due to the size of the "tabs" on the batteries...they don't make good contact. All other types of batteries work fine.

What type were you using?

Mike

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Originally Posted by Sid

Yeah I have exited on them, they are fine, besides you got the buddy lighting you up from behind with their big light most the time. Sid

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But...but....but....what about those of us that dive SOLO?! :o :P

Mike