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On 11/23/95 Paul Smith wrote: >.... PS- All this hype about Dive-Rite lights being inferior is more a >reflection of someone's neurotic desire to discredit the folks at >Dive-Rite than an accurate assesment based on fact. I don't think there is a neurotic "out to get Dive-Rite" complex here. It's more a wake up call to Dive-Rite from the consumer. The "fact" is there are problems with leakage in these lights, I spend a bit of time repairing these for friends. The "fact" is they are not an inherently stable pressure vessel design. If they implode at 150ft without batteries and the batteries are damaged by compressive forces at deep depths then that's a problem. These lights are marketed for the technical community (cave, wreck, etc). They should perform to the current level demanded by the community. If the addition of thin sheaths of aluminum (as Paul indicates was done for Sheck by Dive-Rite) inside the light will improve the structure of the light then great! Why doesn't Dive-Rite respond to the demands of the community and offer this in new light cannisters or as a retrofit? They would do a great service if they conducted controlled implosion testing; make any necessary modifications; recommended a maximum operating depth with safety margin; and published the findings. There are several universities in their area with engineering programs where undergraduate and graduate students could do this as a project at low cost if Dive-Rite provided the support. They should also replace the cable gland. I have respect for companies such as Dive-Rite who were there providing some useful equipment when the others were not (doesn't mean I necessarily agree with what they are doing). However it appears Dive-Rite is looking down the mass-market road, which may be a good business decision for Dive-Rite, but not for the technical community. Rather than improve on products, they appear to do what most consumer product manufacturers do, figure out ways to make the product cheaper such as molded plastic reel spools. Unfortunately the technical community is demanding more from products, not less. The two directions diverge. Dive-Rite would serve their interests as well if they would respond to these concerns about their light, for example, with modifications such as Paul indicates to meet the ever increasing demand of the consumer. We should give credit where credit is due. By the very nature of our activities, however, we should also voice our objections when the need arises. I fully support any efforts of Dive-Rite to produce quality in their products, as we should with any company. Thanks for the comments Paul. Doug Chapman P.S. I once tested a DACOR scooter to over 200ft in a pressure chamber for someone who apparently lives(ed?) on the edge (creaked a bit, deformed a lot); would I ride it at those depths? No way! I also tested a 4" diameter acrylic sphere with a 1/16" wall thickness to failure at 875 ftsw. Would it make a good battery cannister? No way!
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