Generally DFV's lights are going to be more expensive. But I stuck with their package deal because it'll be nice to have a rep nearby in case I need something fixed, need to replace a battery, or whatever. You'd have to call Lumadent and ship things around if you wanted anything serviced. That seemed annoying. You'll probably want the fastest service possible when you've got practicals coming up so you don't work on a #4 DO with no light because a company has to ship your light across the country. On a more negligible note, DFV gives you a larger carrying case if you go with their package deal. Check both their warranties because I forgot which one was better. I think my class got a group Lumadent deal with a longer than usual warranty. I still stuck with DFV. I think I have DFV's Ultra Mini. They work but I haven't used any other light so I can't really compare it with anything. I also needed the loupe and light ASAP when I ordered it because I had practicals coming up. I would have had to wait a long time to get the Lumadent light.
Here's why I appreciate DFV's service so much. When I ordered my loupes, they expected the package to be delivered the day after my practical. But I wanted to use my loupes for the practical so I called them up and they expedited the shipping, at no extra charge, so that I would have my loupes before my practical.
