Differences in Underwater Kinetics flashlight models?

Paul Davidson

Paul Davidson

Joined
Apr 3, 1999
Messages
2,052
I'm hoping some of you Underwater Kinetics (UK) fans can give me a little clarification.

Some UK flashlight models seem the same or similar but have different names. Are some just marketed differently in dive shops, or are some actually dive prove while others are only work lights. For example: Are the UK 4AA and the Q40 actually the same? What about the 4C Sportlight and the Sunlight SL4? They seem to have very similar statistics and shapes in the brochures and on the web. I have never seen them for sale side by side at the same place either. It does seem that the SL4 has the rubber around the lens assembly.

Does the 4AA now have an end switch? It's not listed as such where I've seen it, but I don't know why they would make that protrusion if it doesn't.

I have a 2AAA Mini Pocket light that I like a lot and I'd like to uprgrade. I like the 2L but this one will get used a lot so I don't think I want to go the lithium battery route this time. I'm sure I'll end up with one eventually.
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Thanks in advance for any help.


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Paul Davidson

Them:"What's that clipped to your pocket, a beeper?"
Me:"Uuh....yeah, something like that."

[This message has been edited by Paul Davidson (edited 05-22-2000).]
 
I think names like SL4, SL6, and Mini Q-40 are the old names; the more descriptive names like 4AA are the more recent. Maybe there is a UK dealer around here that can answer? Where's Sid?

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
I wondered if it was something like that. I thought it might be the other way around since my brochure with the names SL4, SL6, Q40, etc. shows the lights with the rubber protection on the lens assembly. I thought that was only on the newer ones. I may just call UK and see what they can tell me. I'll end up buying one anyway, but I just wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting.

Thanks,
Paul
 
I think that little bump on the UKE 4AA is a pressure relief valve and not a switch.

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"A knifeless man is a lifeless man"
-Nordic proverb
 
David is correct -- the thingy on the end is a pressure release valve, not a switch/\.

I am looking for the older style of 4AA lights, so if anyone knows of any place that has the old ones, let me know.

Thanks!

Clay

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
What does the "E" in UKE stand for anyways?

Underwater Kineitcs Electronics?

Underwater Kinetics England?

Underwater Kinetcs Emu?

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847

[This message has been edited by CD Fleischer (edited 05-23-2000).]
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I had actually figured out the gas vent while taking a closer gander at the UK page. How necessary is this? I'm assuming this is for firefighters, and other people working in hazardous environs. I wonder if it compromises waterproofness, that could be why the Q40 doesn't have it while the 4AA does. I guess I'm going to have email UK, or spring for a long distance call to CA. (I hate it when companies can't at least have an 800 number. Guess that makes me cheap and lazy!
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Clay,
I've been wondering about that "E" on there myself. I was assuming it stood for "engineering" or something. I guess that's another question I can ask when I call.

Here's yet another question--
The packaging for my 2AAA gives a completely different address than the brochure I picked up at a dive store. One list San Marcos, CA and the other says Poway, CA. I think the packaging is the older address, since the web site gives the Poway address. BUT the website has a different phone number than the brochure.

When a company moves around a lot it usually means one of two things: incredible growth, or poor business. I hope these changes mean growth, because I would hate to buy a light that uses special bulbs and then have the company go belly up.

I'll let you all know what I find out.

Paul
 
Well, I called Underwater Kinetics finally. Here's the scoop on the differences between the SL4 vs. 4C, and the Q40 vs. 4AA. Basically they are the same lights (same bulbs) but the SL4 and Q40 are more water resistant, while the 4C and 4AA have the gas vents for hazardous environments. Since I've never had a flashlight explode or anything, I guess I'll go with the dive lights.

I forgot to ask what the E in UKE stands for though.
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Well, I'm off to finish packing for the Blade Show.
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Paul Davidson

Them:"What's that clipped to your pocket, a beeper?"
Me:"Uuh....yeah, something like that."
 
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