Canister lights?

[systematic.entropy]

As it's been said, you can't go wrong with any of the major players, ie Dive Rite, Halcyon, Salvo, Sartek, etc.. In my experience, the Dive Rite 10W slimline is a piece of junk, sorry to all you slim line guys, I have to say it, the bulb is too damn fragile, and the head design allows it to be too vulnerable, at upwards of $100 a bulb, I must have gone through a half dozen bulbs. I really should have gone with a more expensive light for my first cannister, and I'd still be ahead.

That being said, in my experience, Salvo lights are probably the most durable, plus they offer a one year no questions warrantee on the bulb and battery. Literally, I've seen these things thrown into the bed of a pickup and they still fire right up.

As far as LED vs. HID, LED is the new kid on the block, and I think they'll be around for awhile. Light quality is certainly different between the two, not better or worse, just different. LEDs tend to be a little white-er and HID blue-er (at least to my eyes). But, LEDs offer longer burntimes in smaller packages and more versatile electronics, and are generally more robust. I still use my big 21W Salvo HID, and probably always will. But, am planning on picking up a smaller Salvo LED soon.