Waterproof flashlight for sea caves.

Advice
#1

I just got back from Mendocino. Incredible sea caves. But my LED headlamp was completely insufficient for the kind of exploring I could have done with a better light. Conditions were so calm we could have gone way back in to a lot of caves if we could have seen anything. What do you use as a light source for exploring the pitch-black slots of sea caves?

#2

princeton tec solo
Waterproof and comes with 2 bulbs, a regular incandescent and a hi power krypton bulb.

#3

a better headlamp

– Last Updated: Aug-22-07 1:33 PM EST –

if this isn't giving you enough light there's a problem.

http://www.princetontec.com/products/index.php?id=2&type=1&use=0

or a dive light that can burn out of the water,some can't as they get too hot

http://www.uwkinetics.com/products/detail.php?ProductID=9&cat=6

http://www.uwkinetics.com/products/detail.php?ProductID=4&cat=6

with lithium batteries this one is light,small and could lay flat on the foredeck of your kayak

#4

Here’s a cheap one…
…that has never let me down. I have others but grab this one first for camping or on a bike.

http://tinyurl.com/36f6k4

#5

Walmart has these on sale
3 bucks.I bought 2 and will probably go back for a few more.

#6

Visit a dive shop…
n/m

#7

UK SL4 Xenon
I have used the SL4 and the 8D (as in 8 D batteries) for night diving. I have had them for 10 plus years with no complaints. They are both indestructible and will more than meet your needs. I think the SL 4 would also make a good kayak camping light due to its sturdy construction.



One word of caution on the lights - both of these flashlights will sink if dropped in the water.



One word of caution on the caves - if you are going anywhere that you cannot see the entrance, you need to be very careful. I am not sure about the preferred method in cave kayaking, but divers run a line from the entrance (you can pick up a reel from any dive shop). On that note, if you are going anywhere that dark, you should carry a back up lighting source or two.

#8

caves
given the ocean exposure of these caves it’s kinda dicey if the tide is high/ceiling low. The last thing a person in 12cubic feet of buoyancy wants to do is get ground into the roof from an oversized wave. I only backed in a few boat lengths able to see the ocean to dash out or went through some of the cut through passages in outcroppings. Definately helmet territory.

#9

I like proinston tec
only becuae unlike most that advertize ‘weatherresistant’ the tec actually has a depth rating on theirs.

I keep a small one clipped to my PFD and if there is a chance of cave or darkness, a few more clipped to the deck bag.



Water-resistant and weather-proof are NOT waterproof. Be certain to get one that is rated for at least a meter at 20 minutes. One roll will destroy most gear.