You guys know how much I was raving about Inova 24/7. I now have about 4 of their lights since I was sick of changing stuff between my PFD, work gear, bike gear and personal light. Only my work light was tested all around. I went kayaking this weekend and took a dive of my boat around midnight and my 24/7 went blank. I had another emergency strobe but I really needed just a location light to see where I am. When next morning I took apart my light the entire battery compartment was filled with water. Hmmmm I know that their manual says not to use it as a diving light but does it mean that it is also not submersible? If I can't get it to work again I will have a matching paper weight to first 24/7 that failed me. Not cool. Not cool at all.

That sucks.

It does, however, reinforce a personal obsession of mine.. everything I EDC is waterproof. My watch, my lights, etc. Everything except the contents of my wallet, and if I could find a waterproof wallet, I'd get it.

I don't intend to take my EDC stuff diving, but it's nice to know that if I get caught in the rain, have to wade through water, etc, it'll be ok. For sure, anything I took into the wild would be waterproof, not water resistant. I figure, if it's dive rated it'll be more than good enough on the surface.

According to this review the 24/7 is "waterproof". I guess I better go test my X5s. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hey Matt,

Optimal solution would probably be an HDS EDC light, but a Glo-Toob FX might be worth considering.

While not multi-function, the Gerber Infinity Ultra would be a good thing to have on hand. Very rugged, esp. if you can find the old design, or the Ultra-G version. All versions are quite waterproof. I tend to keep these around with lithium batteries as a backup.

The Arc AAA also falls into this catagory. With a lithum cell they make a great backup light.

Boating, I think I'd consider having a UK 2L on hand, maybe with the eLED module. The UK 2L is very rugged and very waterproof.

-john

Oh, you might try flushing the light out with fresh water (distilled is best) and let dry. There probably isn't anything in there hot enough to have thermal failure and so it's probably just the salt water goofing things up.

Of course, if it is supposed to be waterpoof, Inova should fix it for you.

-john

Please do not shoot me for treason but a Mini Mag is great as a back up light and I have not had one fail on me in the water. I say this with some reservation any thoughts?

I've had various issues with Maglites, and while typically taking them apart and tweaking them a bit (typically involving sandpaper) will get them going again, this has happened far to often to select them for a critical need. I think a lot of this may be from the aluminum (inside) and springs oxidizing. Perhaps this is more of an issue here in the Pacific Northwest (cool, moist air), but on the water (esp. salt water) is going to be a tough environment. I also think their waterproofing is hit or miss.

All in all, why take the chance. I'd take a UK 2L over a mini-mag in this environment any day and the 2L will take a LOT more abuse and a LOT more water.

-john

Edit: I don't have one, but the Tekna Splash-Lite LS looks like a great water safe backup light.

Well this is my point. I want things to be waterproof just in case. There is specialized diving equipment out there that I will be more than happy to utilize for that task. I just expect stuff to live up to company specs. Such as I know my light is waterproof so this is one less thing to worry about and I dont have to test it.

John,

I have Krill lights for markers and I have a glo-tube somewhere which I cant manage to operate. I'm also a big fan of arc either if it is their aaa or ls or a4. My entire point was that we take some specs for granted and when something happens and equipment fails it may cost you your life. I should not have to test my equipment when manual states that it can do specific task.

Reason I prefer 24/7 for my personal floatation device light is becasue it can work as a deck light, has a distress signal, warning signal, strobe mode and red light for night vision... it also has a "find me mode" so I can mark my gear and find it in the dark.

I've had a couple damaged in water, of course that water was in my washing machine at the time <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
The 2AAA in my pocket now requires a shake or two to get it to turn on after washing and drying it (I;m surprised the batteries survived the heat)