HID or LED which do you prefer more for cave diving and why ??

[PfcAJ]

21w HID for me. Thus far, all the LEDs I've seen play 2nd fiddle.

[Garth]

Wow. Was there a comment that didn't include UWLD?

I suppose that's your answer however I have yet to see this light...


Garth

[amphipod06]

21W HID, before that it was an 18W HID. The 21W HID from LM I have is like a light saber, nice tightly focused beam that can signal everyone. If I want, it can also unfocus and it becomes a nice BRIGHT flood.

Dive safe,

Celia

[MORGAN]

...how many divers have legitimately broken there HID bulbs themselves from dropping or smashing them

I broke an HID bulb when getting into the water - the light head came unclipped and fell about one foot and smacked a rock. I've also replaced an HID bulb on two other occasions when it burned out. That gets expensive.

[darkdiver211]

I would have agreed with you before we created the LD-35 with 3500 Lumen of light output and only 30 watts of power consumption. 4.5 hours on our tall (144wh) canister and 3 hours on our short (96wh). Brohahaha

I see you have released the BEAST.

[LiteHedded]

ive been in the cave with a diver who was using an UWLD and it was for sure a great light i was very impressed im just not sold on LED yet everyone one says they last longer and and can take a beating better than HID im intrested to know how many divers have legitimately broken there HID bulbs themselves from dropping or smashing them im an intro diver so my gear takes a beating and my light just keeps on ticking

I've never broken or replaced my bulb. it's about 6 or 7 years old now

[Reddiver]

DiveRite 24 watt HID this light has been a bad A$$ light. The light head is small all the stuff is in the can. Just no need to buy another light. Some day maybe. Dive safe. Red.

[SkimFisher]

I still prefer HID lights. LED's are nice, but I prefer the punch I get with a HID. I've had two HID lights, a DR 10W MR11, and now a LM 35W - still haven't popped a bulb. I carry a spare to satisfy Murphy, but I've never had a problem with these bulbs. In fact, when I sold my MR11 last year it still had its original bulb.

[w ripley]

You can test dive any light out there, so my suggestion is to zero in on 1 or 2 that you like and give them a try.

I started when HIDs were the only logical choice. Today it's LED.

The LEDs do give a longer dive time - batteries being the same - but that may not be a deciding factor, based on how long your dives are. My rebreather will run 11+ hours (scrubber duration) so I use a light that will go at least that long. I figure if I get into trouble, having a light that will help a rescue team find me is worth having. Of course in such emergency situations you can achieve the same result by going to your backups.

I have a LED with 3 lamp settings, so if I need extra punch I can dial the brightest setting. For most of my diving I prefer a lower setting and a wider beam. Just depends on what you like for the way you dive.

LEDs seem to be getting less expensive than many HIDs (for the same burn times), lighter & smaller, too. So, suggest you test dive one from each camp.

[a64pilot]

My HID bulb broke when I was getting out of the water and my light head swung down about 2' and hit something. I also went through several HID bulbs because they just burned out.

I didn't know there was anything bigger than the 26, does Edd have one of the 35's?