Hid-led??

[crazyduck]

Jason,

I would start by reading the Diverite blog-
This addresses the LUX- http://www.diverite.com/blog/2009/04...lux-burn-time/

I have had three HID 10 watt lights. Overall they are awesome...
Started with the lead acid and now have Nickel metal hydride batteries.

Cost to replace the bulb on a HID will run you north of $130 or more.
Replacing the bulb is not too bad but is rather nerve racking.

LED lasts 50,000 hours so never will need replacing and solid state so no bulb to mention.
As Becky pointed out - great to travel with and I will add- one less thing to stress about on the dive boat in high seas.

I have been chasing the LED genie for about four years now.
If someone said currently HID or LED- no question LED.

If you can wait the market for LED's is going to SLAM the existing markets for corded lights and I honestly expect to see alot more competition very soon.

Rumor has it that Toyota is opening a Lithium-Ion battery facility in the US to drive down the pricing of batteries. Very soon the combination of new generation LED and advanced batteries will make great lights. The Creed 3 watt is currently commanding the market but things will change for the better.

You can't go wrong with Diverite and they said behind their products...

Happy hunting- Andrew

[ae3753]

I would start by reading the Diverite blog-
This addresses the LUX- http://www.diverite.com/blog/2009/04...lux-burn-time/

Interesting read. I recently got my MR11 upgraded to an LED 700, and the last two dives, I have been getting 1 hour burn times.

[rongoodman]

I have one of the early 12W LEDs, and had the same problems with it popping out of the handle. This is my solution(SS clamp is from McMaste-Carr):

[crpearson]

One thing to think about is that HID lights tend to get more efficient as they get brighter, while LEDs become less so. There is a bunch of advancement with LED technology right now, so the exact point where one becomes desirable over the other is a bit of a moving target, but it's something to think about if you want to produce lots of light.

[DA Aquamaster]

Interesting read. I recently got my MR11 upgraded to an LED 700, and the last two dives, I have been getting 1 hour burn times.

I still have both and the burn times on both are still around 4 hours for the HID and a bit more for the LED. If you have a new battery, it needs to be cycled 4-5 times to get the full burn time.

[ae3753]

I still have both and the burn times on both are still around 4 hours for the HID and a bit more for the LED. If you have a new battery, it needs to be cycled 4-5 times to get the full burn time.

Thanks for the information. You make a good point about new batteries needing to be cycled a few times to get full burn time.

Unfortunately, it's not a new battery for me, and one that we've used in Mexico for 4 hours. I'll check the charges before and after usage.