Considering 4 AA battery backup lights vs 3C battery backups. But are the 4 AA lights sufficient for cave diving? Would appreciate any thoughts/experience comments.
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Considering 4 AA battery backup lights vs 3C battery backups. But are the 4 AA lights sufficient for cave diving? Would appreciate any thoughts/experience comments.
I have used my Princeton Tec 40 more then once to exit a cave. Several times in VERY low vis situations.Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard
I like it for all my dives <150ft after that they start to flood every so often.
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
I have the Pca 6AA lights for back up. Never had a flood and very bright and sufficient for back up. Have had them to 300+ and you can turn on and off. They also have a lock on the switch so they don't turn on accidently. Pca also makes a 4AA unit but you loose the switch lock, the upside is that it is very slim profile.
Ever made an exit on those? I'm looking for a smaller light, really something shorter than the 3C cell lights.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sid
I have used Mini Q40s for exiting, and they are fine. Maybe not at full scooter speed, but plenty for normal exits.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay M
Sid, I thought the guverment issued you guys self powered plutonium flashlights up there. Gotta do something with all that aging fissionable stuff right?
I like the 1W LED lights like the PrincetonTec 4AA. They put out quite a bit of light in a good beam, and have both longer run times and much less bulk than the larger 3-4 C lights. Very usable as long as someone doesn't sweep you with their HID.
I have 6 Tec 40's. None of them have ever flooded. They've all been to at least 290'. I normally carry 4 per dive - 2 on the harness, 2 in a drysuit pocket. I've exited on them a few times. A couple times scootering. No big deal. It helped that it was a cave I knew very well, so I didn't even have to slow down.
I have one of the new Princeton Tec single LED lights(I think they call it the Impact). It puts out a brighter, whiter, and more focused beam than the Tec 40's. I think I'll end up with another one of those in the not too distant future and make them my primary backups. I'll still keep a couple of Tec 40's in my drysuit....but that's because I'm paranoid and dive solo often.
Mike
I've exited on a Q40 before, and it was fine... nice and small too.
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:
Originally Posted by Bobby
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay M
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by jviehe
What type were you using?
Mike
But...but....but....what about those of us that dive SOLO?! :o :PQuote:
Originally Posted by Sid
Mike