It’s a Pca for my BC

As a traveling diver I've been carrying around a couple of Mini C's for several years -- dependable, not a lot of weight, don't take up much space, and their beam is adequate for most night diving. A few months ago, I switched on Ikelite's new PCa. I've tested it in the pool a couple time, and its size (fits easily in a small BC packet) and wide, super-bright beam have won it a place in my gear bag on my next trip.

So I was not surprised when the managing editor of Britain's Diver magazine named the PCa as his choice for best all-around performer. But I was puzzled by comments in the April issue of Rodale's Scuba Diving, which supposedly tested the PCa and three other small lights. The magazine grumbled about the clip mechanism for opening the case, saying that only divers with three hands would find it easy. I have only two hands, but I found battery access very easy. Rodale's also stated that the light was "nearly as bright as the Princeton Tech Mini Q40." Ikelite, holding that the light is brighter than its competitors', has strongly protested this finding, hypothesizing that they must have put the batteries in backwards. Despite these shortcomings, Rodale's still named the PCa as its Editor's Pick.

I like the PCa's feel in the palm of my hand, its fit my BC pocket, and its beam. If it proves as dependable as my beat-up, taped-up Mini C's, then it's my pick too. I'll let you know.

J. Q.