Ask Joe & Larry

I'm hunting for a good Primary Dive Light. Which one should I get?

Larry: For the longest time, nothing could beat the HID lights. Light like the UK Light Cannon HID started the move to brighter, whiter lights, and in a hand held light, they are still some of the brightest out there. But with the advance in LED technology, they have become very popular for dive lights. LED dive lights have a longer burn time, are less fragile (you can throw led's off a building - no bulb to break) and with the newest LED's, they are almost as bright, and as white. The other nice thing is LEDs use less power, so you get much longer burn times out of the batteries. If you look at our lights, you will see the most expensive ones are cannister LED set ups. If you want something bright that uses the led technology... but yet doesn't cost more than your first car, and can be carried in your hand, I like the Princeton Tec Shockwave LED. This is a great light, and a great value! And princeton tec also has the little led Torrent LED Light which is a great backup.

Joe: Yea, but bigger is better! With a name like Big Blue, you know it's going to be a heck of a light. This thing packs 30 watts of led power, now that's a light! And sticking with an LED backup, I'll take the Tusa TUL 300 - great bang for the buck in a backup light.

Larry: (can we all say... over compensating! Poor Joe.)

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Our Readers Comments

"I remember when lights got dim and yellow after about 2 hours. I have one of the princeton LED's and even after 7 hours, it's still white and bright. Excellent light."
Jason, P, Seattle WA

"I don't bother carry a full size light, even on night dives. That Tusa that Joe likes works fine for me as a primary."
Jerrad L., Tampa, FL