Underwater led

[Dan gib 8]

Looking to fit my typhoon with some underwater led we usually stay out pretty late so think it might be a cool addition. What's everyone using and how many, some of the prices are all over the place. 

 

Thanks

[Wylie_Tunes 146]

Like most things, you get what you pay for, or in other words, you pay to play. Higher priced lights tend to be better built and brighter. However, thats not to say that there are not some solid quality budget friendly lights that offer a lot of value. Step one, ignore any and all advertised lumen specs. Next, look into materials used for the housing and lens. Does the light have thermal protection to either cycle it off or roll back the output when it gets hot when the boat is on plane? 

Im not a fan of drain plug lights that either thread into and out of the plug or take the place of the plug. trim/surf tab/wedge interference or shadowing. Same with out drives. On the actual thread in plug lights, likely suffer a harness failure due to the stress of threading them in/out. 

Current draw in 12V DC amps is about the best way to make any comparison of light output. 

For most boats, I prefer a pair of lights. This will yield the best light coverage. 

Higher end lights are going to be the Shadow-Caster or the Liquid Lumen lights. Mid level lights would be the LifeForm or the SeaBlaze X or Quattro series.  

[h20king 794]

Bang for buck lifefourm 9's are hard to beat.  Go with a set and you will be happy with the results. Keep in mind different colors play a factor of how bright the lights appear to be. White,green then blue will be your brightest colors and in that order 

[Dan gib 8]

18 minutes ago, h20king said:

Bang for buck lifefourm 9's are hard to beat.  Go with a set and you will be happy with the results. Keep in mind different colors play a factor of how bright the lights appear to be. White,green then blue will be your brightest colors and in that order 

Good info. Maybe I don't want them bad enough but 680$ for a pair how much bang do you get because that's a lot of bucks haha

[h20king 794]

8 minutes ago, Dan gib said:

Good info. Maybe I don't want them bad enough but 680$ for a pair how much bang do you get because that's a lot of bucks haha

Check out prices on the top lights like shadow caster  lumatec sea blaze X or the liquid lumens lights and you will see the lifefourm lights are fairly priced 

[Jake707 171]

Plus do you really want to skimp on something that puts a hole in your boat?   Brass is expensive but I wouldn't want to replace my through hull fittings with PVC to save a buck haha.   Like previously stated you gotta pay to play

[Dan gib 8]

1 minute ago, Jake707 said:

Plus do you really want to skimp on something that puts a hole in your boat?   Brass is expensive but I wouldn't want to replace my through hull fittings with PVC to save a buck haha.   Like previously stated you gotta pay to play

Had a feeling this would come up regardless of the light a small hole is made and a wire passes threw and is sealed with 5200 on likely both sides so I see no difference there.

no chance I see myself buying two leds that cost wat a sick board would cost, these lights seem to be inflated massively IMO

[Jake707 171]

Very true. I suppose since boating is considered a luxury sport most aftermarket additions would be priced higher      Hell you could get some LED puck lights from IKEA for 19.99 and seal them up haha  Jk

[Dan gib 8]

Ya I agree with 

13 minutes ago, h20king said:

Check out prices on the top lights like shadow caster  lumatec sea blaze X or the liquid lumens lights and you will see the lifefourm lights are fairly priced 

Ya they are priced right and seem really well constructed, maybe I have sticker shock bc leds usually are very reasonable.

 

[h20king 794]

Yeah I get it but keep in mind they are permanently mounted below the water line so you don't want to cheep out on them

[Bongo Fury 640]

Agree 100% with H

[Wylie_Tunes 146]

1 hour ago, Dan gib said:

Good info. Maybe I don't want them bad enough but 680$ for a pair how much bang do you get because that's a lot of bucks haha

The alternative is a light with less light. One that might be made with a cheap plated base that pits in a season or two. cheap plastic lens that leaks or yellows in a season or two. one that has not thermal protection and burns out after running on plan for 30 minutes. 

1 hour ago, Dan gib said:

Had a feeling this would come up regardless of the light a small hole is made and a wire passes threw and is sealed with 5200 on likely both sides so I see no difference there.

no chance I see myself buying two leds that cost wat a sick board would cost, these lights seem to be inflated massively IMO

Dont use 5200, its permanent.

 

[Dan gib 8]

20 minutes ago, Wylie_Tunes said:

The alternative is a light with less light. One that might be made with a cheap plated base that pits in a season or two. cheap plastic lens that leaks or yellows in a season or two. one that has not thermal protection and burns out after running on plan for 30 minutes. 

Dont use 5200, its permanent.

 

whoops 4200 right

[Nick213 583]

I zip tie glow sticks to my swim platform brackets for $5.00 at the dollar store and you get any color in the rainbow it's gonna take a lot more seasons then the boat will have to add up to what shadowcasters cost. 

 

 

jk

[RhuntIII 555]

8 minutes ago, Nick213 said:

I zip tie glow sticks to my swim platform brackets for $5.00 at the dollar store and you get any color in the rainbow it's gonna take a lot more seasons then the boat will have to add up to what shadowcasters cost. 

 

 

jk

No you're not. lol

[Tleeah 33]

I have quite a bit of good and bad experience with underwater LED's.  The lights that work the best over time and have good light output is Lumitec underwater lights.  This company specializes in underwater LED's and have perfected their product over the years.  I prefer the Seablaze 3 over the Seablaze X.  I have had great luck with Attwood underwater LED's.

Now on the color.  I prefer either white or blue.  Watch our for green lights, they attract the heck out of fish.  I put some green LED's on my 09 Centurion, there were so many fish, the kids would not go swimming. 

Below is my FX22 with Attwoods and the houseboat with x4 lumitec seablaze.  We are purchasing the FI 23 and are going with Attwood's again in blue.

 

 

[Wylie_Tunes 146]

May want to clarify which attwoods, as they offer at least 4 models. The lowest price point models are disappointing. Id pass the 6 and right for the 12. But then its width may come into play on some transoms. 

[Dan gib 8]

I was looking at the atwood and wondered how they were. they are 1/4-1/3 less. MORE BEER MONEY

[Tleeah 33]

The above picture is 2 of the 6 bulb in a straight line.  They pretty bright.  They are about $220-250 per light.  

[h20king 794]

I went with the lifefourm 9's on our fi in my opinion they are a better product then the Attwood