Quote:
| Originally Posted by devilgas am only qual'd to cavern, so may be talking a load of bollocks, but my simple set up is 2x frogman lenser LED (the switched version) and 2x uk mini q40 eLED torches, all helmet mounted with one lenser & one q40 being run at any one time - backup is then identical to the primary. burn times are more than adequate, over 20hrs per lamp. with relatively low power (3 or 5w per lamp), backscatter isn't too much of an issue in poorer viz and can be reduced further by turning one of the lights off.
my backup and main setups are identical so there's no difference in light output should i need to swap from main to backup.
lamps cost about £130 in total iirc. |
It really depends what you want to achieve.
I recently spent over £200 on a back up tri LED torch. I did this because having had a primary torch fail on me I switched to a Photon Torpedo which felt like a candle in a jam jar by comparison. End result is my dreamed of dive inside the Justicia was ruined by lack of light.
My new back up is right up there with my LED primary so Ill hopefully never suffer that disappointment again.
Having said that, there is a limit to whats required. I dived a 10W Halcyon and was totaly Happy with the light output. In the end Salvo launched their 21W units for the same money as it would cost for the 10W NiMH Halcyon so I went for the 21W Salvo.
This is an epic torch and if you have the cash then go for the 21W but I beleive its really unnecessary, its just for childish grin factor, but you will seldom find a disappointed Salvo 21W owner. Having the 10W is like owning a Porsche Boxter when you m8's are tooling around in 911 Turbos
I have recently moved over to LED because of weight saving on overseas flights. If i am tight on weight I take the LED and leave the Salvo at home. I do this because i believe/hope/am told the LED is indestructible so its not going to arrive in Mexico smashed or fail half way through the weeks diving.
If I have the weight allowance I take both.
I am excited to see the new Salvo LED torch and I can't wait to see some video or pics of it in action. I am using the 1250 Solus which is not the light saber of the Salvo but it plenty of torch and still good enough for signaling. Id just like to have adjustable focus on it to make it perfect. There is a 2500 solus which I am sure will fry fish but battery size and head size put me off going up to what I ultimately believe is an unnecessary level of light. (but again nice for a giggle if you can afford it.)
My only issue with the Solus is the price. They are very expensive imports. If the Salvo LED can match it that has to be the one.
As for the Salvo failure? I am concerned as to whether or not the Salvo has a temperature cut out on it? The Solus will switch its self off if it gets too hot. I know this as it did during some dry testing i was doing.
ATB
Mark