Quote: (Originally Posted by
Matt Gentile)
Hi Steve,
Interesting......Can you please expand on your preference to the Pro 14. The reason I ask is that I'm debating whether to go upgrade and go for the Explorer 13.5 18W or the Pro 14 18W?
The one reason I do know is that batteries are cheaper to replace on the Pro 14 than the Explorer 13.5, but one downside is the physical size (for travelling etc.)
Also can anyone else offer their opinions?
Matt
I use a Pro 14 and an AUL Spectrum 14 for cave diving and a Dive Rite 10W handheld HID for open water. Reasons I like the 14's:
- it forms part of your weighting
- lead acid is very simple, easily replaced, cheap, easily charged
- the burn time is big and to get the equivalent from a NiMH cannister I'd have to spend £££££££
- the only travelling I do with it is in my pickup
- I used to be an AUL dealer so had loads of them. I might be biased but I think the AUL 14 is a much better made cannister than the Halcyon
The Dive Rite handheld 10W HID is about the size of a fat Scout, smaller than a 18W HID head & ballast and I've fitted a Goodman handle to it. I've just put a set of high capacity NiMH's in it (runs off AA's) and it lasted 3hrs in a burn test. Brilliant for open water and a very nice backup for cave diving. I hate the 14's for diving from boats, too big, too heavy.