Diving/camping less than $100 18650 light list and questions

daggett

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Mar 17, 2008
Messages
9
Hello,


first, I already have a Fenix HL60R (I did a review of this one see @bottom), which is great, but the beam is quite large, so I cannot light up distant objects or deep pits.


I'm searching for a kind of handheld "thrower" for :
- occasional diving @40meters maximum in sometimes murky waters,
- occasional camping/hiking to light up things at a distance,
- occasional caving to light up distant/deep objects/paths/holes/pits,
- not more than $100 because I go to places where it can easily be lost/broken or robbed,
- 18650 batteries because I have plenty of them (unprotected), preferably 2 batteries for long divings, but 1can do the job,
- lightweight and minimum size (is it compatible with 2x18650 ...),
- 800-1000lm max will do,


I have searched this forum and others, as well as Youtube tests and reviews videos, and here is what came out for the above criteria, if it can help someone else :


Properly reviewed lamps marked as "(very) good" :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/XTAR-D06-Sc...208813?hash=item2ee10ccfad:g:4cQAAOSwxH1T2LyX
http://www.ebay.com/itm/XTAR-D26-Sc...036176?hash=item2ee1938190:g:z5MAAOSwbqpT2M8d
https://www.lampe-torche-fenix.fr/lampe-fenix-sd10.html
https://www.lampe-torche-fenix.fr/fenix-sd20-lampe-de-plongee-1000-lumens-led-rouge.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6000LM-3x-X...11039448f:g:gIcAAOSwMHdXSAtB&autorefresh=true


Some less reviewed, or quiet hard to tell if it's the same version as in the reviews :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-Lumen-...eadf39ed2:g:QBgAAOSwxcRW~Lt4&autorefresh=true
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5000LM-CREE...132711?hash=item3abf82f0a7:g:7XsAAOSwZQxW6QQt
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-8000Lum...310575?hash=item2100ead46f:g:KAsAAOSwPcVV0p4Z
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6000LM-3x-X...11039448f:g:gIcAAOSwMHdXSAtB&autorefresh=true
http://www.ebay.com/itm/9000Lm-Divi...821281?hash=item2364ab9321:g:pEMAAOSwJSJXGcmG
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUNSFIRE-Di...hash=item33bf3e015e:m:mpdISkQqHU5rjdfNF9bNsAA


For now I'm trying to match all my criteria, I'm thinking of something like the Fenix SD10 or Xtar D02/D26 but with 2x18650 (or just those 3 if nothing matches 2x18650).

So what is your advice, or do you have some other references ?


kind regards,
Dag


Fenix HL60R review : http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...B-Recharging&p=4949766&viewfull=1#post4949766
 

novasquid

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Feb 19, 2016
Messages
52

i have two of these lights for diving and have taken them down to 60 feet or so in a murky quarry. it's definitely nowhere close to "6000 lumens." eyeballing it i'd guess it's closer to 800. the beam is pretty tight, and not wide at all. people on scuba forums have vouched for it saying it's been working great for them. at $20, it's cheap and disposable, but gets the job done. i'd buy another if mine broke.

i also wanted to mention that this light shouldn't be used out of the water, because they get very hot, very fast.
 
Last edited:

roger-roger

Enlightened
Joined
May 4, 2016
Messages
433
Location
the Former Territory of Hawaii
Started with a 10 D cell Darell Allen--had to tear it apart a couple times, sanding the contacts due to battery leakage. I don't night dive anymore, but never say never. I'd go straight to Underwater Kinetics which I've used since the mid 80's-- Halogen, Xenon, to LED.

I prefer the *hanging* type grip over inline or pistol grip. The inline forces an unnatural wrist bend for the *whole* time in the water, the pistol has too much drag. The *hanging* type is the best compromise, with the benefit of maintaining excellent point-ability.
 
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