I've got a new toy

[nickb]

I was in the market for a new umbilical torch.

I liked to look of the Halcyon Helios 9 18W but couldn't stretch to £940 so I thought I’d settle for the 10W version. Seeing as the dollar is now a shadow of its former self, I thought I’d be able to negotiate a bit of a discount with Underwater Explorers, especially seeing as I have spent a fair amount with them recently. I was told ‘list price only, no discount’.

So I thought I’d price up importing one from the States, but with shipping, duty and VAT, it all worked out about the same.

Then I read about Salvo and their 21W HID http://www.salvodiving.com/inc/pdetail?v=1&pid=372. Apparently Barry Miller, the guy behind Salvo, designed the Halcyon torch and after checking out what little information I could find about Salvo (not all of it good I must confess), I spoke to Barry on the phone last Wednesday evening (15/12/2004). I was concerned about ongoing support and warranty issues etc. and I was so impressed, I ordered it right then. $999 + $60 shipping.

Well bugger me; it arrived first thing this morning. For comparison, I posted a letter in Bracknell on Wednesday, 1st class to Devon and it still hasn’t arrived.

Now I’ve never seen the Halcyon torch in the flesh (Delrin?) but I challenge anybody to tell the difference (logos not withstanding). This thing is identical to all of the pictures I’ve seen of the Halcyon 18W in every respect

Including everything: torch, shipping, duty, VAT and the £13.50 Parcel Force add on for ‘custom clearance fees’, this thing has cost me just under £600.

Now, if only my drysuit wasn’t at O3 being fixed, I could try this thing out. I guess a bucket of water in a darkened room will have to do in the meantime.

If anybody fancies a second-hand Kowalski 12100, there’s one on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...e=STRK:MESE:IT

The reserve is £130 plus approx £9 postage.

Any offers?

Oh, and here's a picture of the Salvo (with my nipper's clarinet for scale - no pun intended)

[Dave Crampton]

Hi Nick,

Please PM me all the details for this baby.

Dave C

[Phoenix]

Looks like a good deal Nick, I would pay around £600 - £610 for a Helios 9 trade.

Ian

[beanie]

cool

there was a big thread on this guy (I think) on HIDdivelights on yahoo, he had been accused of nicking the kit from Holycron

the fact he's still selling shows he wasn't which is good

still want to know why you can get 2/3 day del from the states yet 2/3 weeks in this country

[Digger]

That's a Halcyon surely? It's identical! Even down to the goodman, which is literally the same handle I have on my Pro 3. The cable glands the same, the only difference I can see is the catches don't have the H on them.

Hmm...

[ahar]

Originally Posted by nickb

Now, if only my drysuit wasn’t at O3 being fixed, I could try this thing out. I guess a bucket of water in a darkened room will have to do in the meantime.

It'll be painful, but I'll volunteer to try it out for you....

[nickb]

Originally Posted by ahar

It'll be painful, but I'll volunteer to try it out for you....

You're clearly a selfless and honourable person, but I couldn't expect anyone to do me a favour like that!

[Garf]

I know what you mean digger mate, looks identical dont it. 999 dollars and its about 2 dollars to the £ now?


sigh

[nickb]

Interested parties might like to check out the discussion going on over at 'the dark side':

http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/fo...ad.php?t=14174

This torch looks so much like the Halcyon offering 'cos the guy behind Salvo, Barry Miller, designed that one too.

Interestingly, he's chosen to use a 21W bulb which is smaller, cheaper and apparently more robust than the 18W bulb in the Halcyon

More importantly, it saved me £340

[Davey Willo]

Yeah my baby's just arrived too..

Barry Miller is a top guy, I wired him the money on the morning, he emailed me the tracking number in the afternoon..

I watched it take 2 days to get from Florida to the UK and clear customs then waited hopping from foot to foot for 3 days while it crawled its way up the country to my waiting and sweaty palms.....

It is a beeaauutiful piece of work, and I can't wait to charge this bad boy up..

I asked Barry if he'd heard of the EKPP because I wanted an extended light shroud the same as theres and he tell's me it already has an extended shroud... rock on!

I asked Barry if he could supply it with a cold water goodman handle because the Halcyon light handles were to small for my hands once I had the 5mm gloves on, he tells me it's coming with a wider handle designed for cold water diving... ding dong!!

I also took the opportunity to purchase a spare 45m spool with double ender seeing as how I was already paying shipping... $25 altogether which works out at about £12 for them both.. LOL... back of the net!!!

Do I sound over excuberant and a wee bit happy?? Well thats cos I am

I think the local lakes pike shall have a visit from me one night this week...