Aotus
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2015
- Messages
- 5
Hello,
I'm new to the forum, so, hello! I am a caver, cave diver, and also a primate paleontology doctoral student and researcher working mostly on extinct Caribbean primates (almost exclusively found in caves). So, as you can imagine, artificial lighting is a common and critical concern in my work. I've only worked sites underwater up until now, but I am undergoing vertical training to access some dry sites and hard-to-reach submerged sites to look for primate fossils in the Caribbean and Madagascar.
On my most recent research trip to the Dominican Republic I found that, as expected, A LOT of light helps A LOT when searching for small remains often stained and matching the color of the sediments they rest in. That was underwater, where light is particularly important and inefficient. Now, I am looking to finish my dry-cave kit with a powerful headlamp that can do triple-duty as a caving light, a flood for excavating dry sites, and a supplement to my diving lights during underwater search and excavation. This means a light with flood and spot settings, long life, and submersible to >40-50m
I consider myself knowledgable about cave diving equipment, but I could use some help finding a headlamp that can crossover from dry to submerged. I also posted in a caving forum, but hope that posting here will reach a broader range of people who are knowledgable about lights. Cost is a concern, but sometimes high-quality equipment manufacturers offer support for research by way of discounts, so it may still be worthwhile to look into some of pricier options if they fit the bill. Thanks very much for any tips.
Cheers,
Zach
FYI:
Caribbean paleoprimatology in flooded caves
Madagascar cave yields massive trove of primate remains
I'm new to the forum, so, hello! I am a caver, cave diver, and also a primate paleontology doctoral student and researcher working mostly on extinct Caribbean primates (almost exclusively found in caves). So, as you can imagine, artificial lighting is a common and critical concern in my work. I've only worked sites underwater up until now, but I am undergoing vertical training to access some dry sites and hard-to-reach submerged sites to look for primate fossils in the Caribbean and Madagascar.
On my most recent research trip to the Dominican Republic I found that, as expected, A LOT of light helps A LOT when searching for small remains often stained and matching the color of the sediments they rest in. That was underwater, where light is particularly important and inefficient. Now, I am looking to finish my dry-cave kit with a powerful headlamp that can do triple-duty as a caving light, a flood for excavating dry sites, and a supplement to my diving lights during underwater search and excavation. This means a light with flood and spot settings, long life, and submersible to >40-50m
I consider myself knowledgable about cave diving equipment, but I could use some help finding a headlamp that can crossover from dry to submerged. I also posted in a caving forum, but hope that posting here will reach a broader range of people who are knowledgable about lights. Cost is a concern, but sometimes high-quality equipment manufacturers offer support for research by way of discounts, so it may still be worthwhile to look into some of pricier options if they fit the bill. Thanks very much for any tips.
Cheers,
Zach
FYI:
Caribbean paleoprimatology in flooded caves
Madagascar cave yields massive trove of primate remains
