Buyer Beware

[schultz]

Doug,

What wattage are you looking at? I'm considering getting something for my camera (photography not videography). Problem is I'm thinking to high (like some of the HMI systems) of a wattage with the DS-50 and DS-125 flash I have might be a little too overpowering.

Hopefully you can get one before me and send me a report... I'm broke on my SCUBA budget for the year. 

[dfreeman]

Oh yes these lights can cost.

Here are some good articles on HMI.





Also check out Halcyon.  Hopefully they sell it cheap to help out the diving community.

Doug

[divbum]

HMI lighting is very expensive.
The 200watt, 24 volt, 9 amp (45 minute burn time)  from halcyon runs $4950.00
Dual 50 watt HID runs with 13.5 amp battery (60minute BT) 3385.00 - which is a very impressive systems.  Here is a photo at 300ish with dual 50's.
Photo is couresty of John Scoles taken with my gates housing and his video lights - please do not reproduce/copy/crosspost without his permission.

[schultz]

Great... guess that means it's gonna be about a decade before I can afford toys like that. Perhaps I will just worry about getting a few smaller priced items for my camera instead...

If you were loaning your housing, does that mean that these 50's are not yours then?

[Thought] If only I had married into money... [/Thought]

[Chris H]

The lights are John's.  Greg is a Halcyon dealer and sold them to John.

[divbum]

I use two 24 watt HIDs, which still are impressive.  John purchased the 50's this spring from me while he was deciding HD or PC350.  In the meantime the PC350 is discontinued and the PC 1000 is coming out ( houseing to be delivered this week or so)  but couldn't get the housing for this expedition ( not produced yet).  I expect him to get one soon.  He had electronic problems whith his amphibico at 300+ last year so is making the move to a gates (depth rated to 450).  Anyhow I am off to the next shipwreck adventure....