Peli Super Sabre lite for diving?

[boristhespider]

Anyone got any experience using a Peli Supersabrelite (3c) for diving? I've checked the forums and it seems that either a UK SL6 or PT surge are recomended but haven't heard much about the sabrelite.

Anyone used one? How does it compare to an SL6 (or the surge) for throw, brightness etc? I'm after a dive light to light up smal caverns, illuminate reefs etc and as a back up light. Must run on alkalines (no lithiums) and preferably fit into a BCD

 

[Mike Painter]

I don't think you will find anything that small that will light up small caves or reefs. If you want small and bright I suspect you want a small light on the end of a cable attached to a big battery.

I have an early model of this for sale. No wet connections but the head unit is small and bright.

 

[Rob187]

I haven't been diving with my Super Sabre Lite but I have submerged it in shallow water for fairly long periods of time (1hr + ) without a leak.

The pressure of greater depths might be an issue...

 

[adamlau]

I haven't been diving with my Super Sabre Lite but I have submerged it in shallow water for fairly long periods of time (1hr + ) without a leak.

Ditto. Great light for its intended purposes .

 

[Packhorse]

I hear they leak. I also hear that if you lube the Orings they dont leak.
Who knows??
But yeah if you want decent light get a can light or make one like I have.

 

[DM51]

I hear they leak. I also hear that if you lube the Orings they dont leak.
Who knows??

Let's put that another way, shall we?

If you don't maintain the O-rings properly, ANY light will leak.

 

[GPB]

ScubaDiving magazine routinely tests all sorts of dive gear. Here is their light review from last year.

http://www.scubadiving.com/article/The_Best_The_Brightest/

 

[boristhespider]

Let's put that another way, shall we?

If you don't maintain the O-rings properly, ANY light will leak.

Ditto DM51, wouldn't trust anything with O-rings without some silicon lube on it. Same goes for all dive torches and camera housings with O-rings.

You guys who have (or had) a sabre lite: how would you rate the light? Have you ever tried a PT surge or UK SL6? How does the sabre lite compare to it? Or even how does a sabre lite compare to a C or D cell maglite (i have a 6 D Mag). Would really appreciate any feedback on these. I've read a lot about how they're apparently used a fair bit by Fire men and special forces who need a piercing beam through smoke etc but not seen much on CPF forums.

Actually just did a week of diving in (small) caverns and swim throughs with just a UK SL4 (4c incan), it was more than up for the task even though it's a really small light. IMO when you're in a fairly dark area you really don't need huge amounts of light to show up areas. I won't be doing any serious cave diving and am only a holiday diver (1-2 wks/yr) so any serious technical rig or umbilical etc would just be collecting dust most of the year. Besides anything heavy just wouldn't come with me on every dive. Just seeing if i can get more bang for the buck (and size).

GPB, cheers for the weblink...really handy! :thumbsup:

 

[stuie25]

i have one thats 4 years old and its going strong, the coating on the reflector lamp assembly started to flake off after about two years of use so i just tossed the bulb and bought a new one.

other than that its been dropped, kicked, sat at the bottom of a pool for two days and ive never had a problem with it ever.

 

[boristhespider]

stuie25, how would rate the beam for throw, brightness etc? Ever use it diving?

 

[Fred S]

i have a browning branded one, it leaked like a seive the first time underwater (100ft). It is a good light for above water. It has good throw and i kinda like the clip. I am actually looking to replace the bezel and get a new H2 absorber if i can.

 

[steve6690]

I had a PT Surge as my first dive light. It was fairly bright as you'd expect from the spec. But it turned out to have a major flaw..the switch is very weak. Mine sheared off in my drysuit pocket and water then flooded in. I am not the only diver to have had the same problem. For this reason I would not buy one again. I bought a Tektite LS5 and it's in a different league...

 

[Arkrokon]

I've used a Sabrelight for many night dives on sunken ships off Florida and around oil rigs off Louisiana and it has worked very reliably and has about the right amount of light and focus. I do re-lube the o-rings prior to use and put in fresh batteries every trip.

One good trick before going down is to screw the cap down till it turns on then back off just enough to turn it off. As soon as you submerge the pressure turns it on and it goes back off when you surface so you don't have to fiddle with it in the water.

I've tried brighter lights and didn't like the increased light for observing marine life at night plus they can distract other divers.

 

[NoFair]

My old one survived 10 years of diving and infantry use. Traded it in with Pelican since they didn't make bulbs for the older ones any longer. Got a brand new one for the price of a bulb:thumbsup:

I actually prefer the original ones in many ways though:sigh:

One think you can try is using it with D26 types of lamp assemblies. I've used mine with 2 18650s and 320 lumen bulbs. The water is sufficient cooling to prevent the lens from melting :huh:

This requires a bit of fiddling to get good contact and is easier with the old types of Sabrelights.