New Torch

[Pretty Flowers]

Originally Posted by RickG

You'd better wait for the exchange rate to drop then!

2,058.45 CAD Canada Dollars = 863.415 GBP United Kingdom Pounds
(1 CAD = 0.419449 GBP 1 GBP = 2.38408 CAD)

Nice torch though...

I've made $17,000 in the last 10 days on my budget for what the exchange rate should be. Hence being able to afford a nice shiny (and v. expensive) new torch...

[Goodie]

I really rate the Kowalski Torches. They are of a basic design, very robust and do exactly what they say on the tin. Available in a variety of colours.

I went for the 12100 Speed with a 100W bulb (approx £450). It really kicks out some power with good endurance. The only downside I can see is the size and weight, but even if you down size and go for a cheaper, less powerful, lighter torch, you still get excellent performance.

As far as backups go, i have a princeton tec which fits nicely in my drysuit pocket. Its a great torch for the money. (approx £30)

Kowalski - http://www.lighthousediving.co.uk/

Hope this helps

Goodie

[tom]

Originally Posted by David A

Take a look at the Fa & Mi Power4 LED. Ignore what anyone says about LEDs and lack of focus, this one is new and fantastic. Much smaller than the LC, eight hours burn time on 4 AA batteries, virtually indestructable. It's extremely bright (I've used it side by side with the LC and the difference is negligible), and has a colour temp of about 5800K. One of the best buys I've made.

I've recently bought one of these (partly on David's recommendation) and I have to say I'm extremely pleased with it. I've used it on about 6 dives so far.

It's not particularly good in light conditions (e.g. in the shallows, hotspot not as intense as some other torches I have seen) but when things get dark it really performs. The light is very similar to HID, and is supposedly 40W equivalent. On saturday I was able to very briefly compare it to Mark and Andy's 10W Halcyons as we passed eachother on the wreck - there wasn't a lot of difference at first glance (I'd like to do a better comparison, but basically the Fa&Mi did not look stupid next to them).

Of the other comparisons I've been able to make, it's not as bright as a 18w HID Greenforce or the Sartek that a few on here have. But it's also about £300 less

It's brighter than a UK C8R.

I have mine mounted on a Goodman style handle too. It's a bit heavy out of the water, but effortless when diving. Really very pleased with it.

PS it's also a *very* cool looking bit of kit - always important!

[Garf]

And yet another vote for the Proteus3 as a primary and a saubresabre pelilite as a backup.

[kevFISH]

Kowalski 1250 speed - 7 years of trouble free service and a joy to turn on when it starts getting murky on the shot in plankton season.

[Andy Phillips]

The CD torch is very pretty, but the Halcyon is very simple and simplicity in design is good. The only issue I have had with it is turning it on and off, the switch is kinda awkward to get at with 5mm gloves on.

I would avoid a torch which had the power switch on the head, particually the magnetic ones, but then my opinion is coloured by Marks ever failing CD torch. I did like the simplicity of design of the Greenforce torches, but I really wanted one that was bullet proof, and for the money the Halcyon could not be beaten.

A 10 watt HID is more than sufficient for everything I have done in the UK, in fact with the exception of the EKPP redesigned reflector, the 18W HID's I have seen generate far too much backscatter to be useful in the particle filled waters we have.

99% of the rechargers are multi-voltage, it really should not matter where you buy it from. If in doubt just look at the thing, it should have written on it 100~120V 60Hz, 220~240V 50 Hz. If it doesn't then it can't be CE / UL approved and you should not buy it.

More for you to think about,

Andrew

[wreckferret]

I have been using a Metal sub torch for the last 4 years , excellent bit of kit.
I use the large battery pack + a 50w bulb.

The viz over here can be anything from 0.5m - 35m and it works great. You can down power the bulb wattage during a dive.

The price is around £400.

As back ups I carry SL6 lights from sea & sea ( I think ).

You can check out the Metal Sub on www.ndiver.com
And enter metal sub in the search box.

[Scuba1]

Originally Posted by tom

I've recently bought one of these (partly on David's recommendation) and I have to say I'm extremely pleased with it. I've used it on about 6 dives so far.

It's not particularly good in light conditions (e.g. in the shallows, hotspot not as intense as some other torches I have seen) but when things get dark it really performs. The light is very similar to HID, and is supposedly 40W equivalent. On saturday I was able to very briefly compare it to Mark and Andy's 10W Halcyons as we passed eachother on the wreck - there wasn't a lot of difference at first glance (I'd like to do a better comparison, but basically the Fa&Mi did not look stupid next to them).

Of the other comparisons I've been able to make, it's not as bright as a 18w HID Greenforce or the Sartek that a few on here have. But it's also about £300 less

It's brighter than a UK C8R.

I have mine mounted on a Goodman style handle too. It's a bit heavy out of the water, but effortless when diving. Really very pleased with it.

PS it's also a *very* cool looking bit of kit - always important!

I have something more or less like that including the cool looks and am verry pleased with it. Have a look
http://barbolight.com/english/englishtecnicau.htm


MIchael

[Noel Johnson]

I'm more than happy with my Princeton shockwave but its not as bright as some of the umbilicals (funnily enough) I have a mini Q40 as a backup on my mask which is stunning. I think I'll probably get a 2nd one as well for the harness.

HTH

Noel.

[Digger]

Pro 3 does the job for me. I don't need anything brighter or bigger. It stays lit for a long time, and is bright enough to show me what I need and want to see on a dive.

Only problem I have had is it not turning on first time a couple of times. Strange, but apparently something to do with the ballast they use. Just needs warming or shaking a bit, then it's ok. Once on never had any problems with it, and it's a bit of kit I like.

Still working out where to mount it, I was ok with it on my waist, but that's not ideal any more, because I want to be mounting stages on both sides. Going to try putting it on the backplate next week, see how it feels and whether it works like I want it to. Ho hum...