Ukd4r

[Simon Payne]

Has anyone any experience of using this torch? is it any good? It would be used for general recreational type stuff.

I'm tempted with the UKD8R, because of the 30W , but put off by the size of it in comparison to the UKD4R. I'm also wondering whether forking out £150 quid on a UKD8R is worth while when a UKD4R for £90 might be good enough?

Suggestions of similar alternatives would also be welcome, as bright as poss, rechargeable, around the £90 mark.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Simon.

[Juz]

Keep your eyes open for a second hand light cannon rechargeable or one with batteries.

HID bulb in an all round excellent unit.

A set of Duracells should last a season give or take.

Juz

[gwilson]

I've a D4R which i got off ebay for next to nothing, I've dropped it and bounced it about and it works a treat, battery life is brilliant and able to switch between different bulbs is handy too.

[Cyprian]

I've done about 50 dives with one without any problems. Plenty of light from the smaller bulb in most cases and the main beam is plenty for lighting up any nooks and lobster holes. Mine is neutrally boyant underwater so it doesn't affect my weighting. I have no experience of the d8 though, unless you intend on using it for anything more than recreational diving, I would say that the d4 is plenty. Hope this helps.

[Garf]

I'm with Juz on this one. Keep your eyes open for a cheap light cannon.

[gingerstu]

I have a D4R and dived with a chappie who had a light sabre of some sort. I now have torch envy and wished I'd looked out for a second hand light canon.

[daz1701d]

Is there any difference in the burn time of a non-rechargeable D4 with NiMh batteries and a rechargeable D4R?

Just wondering if its worth the extra £45 for a rechargeable one.

Daz

[Garf]

Originally Posted by daz1701d

Is there any difference in the burn time of a non-rechargeable D4 with NiMh batteries and a rechargeable D4R?

Just wondering if its worth the extra £45 for a rechargeable one.

Daz

its down to how often you use it rather than the burn time. Are you going to spend £45.00 on batteries.

If you dive even fairly often the answer is going to be yes and the rechargeable one is worth the money.

[daz1701d]

I dont dive very often at the moment, maybe once or twice a month, so buying rechargeable batteries should be OK.

I've checked the UK website and they say that normal batteries will give a 7-10 hour burn, whereas the D4R will only give 1-2 hours. However, they also say that the high power (18W) lamp is only available if you use the D4R and not the D4!!

Getting confused now!

Daz

[machiavelli]

Originally Posted by daz1701d

Is there any difference in the burn time of a non-rechargeable D4 with NiMh batteries and a rechargeable D4R?

Just wondering if its worth the extra £45 for a rechargeable one.

Daz

I love my D8R in deep, dark and murky conditions. But I don't take it to the Red Sea because it weighs a tonne and would be complete overkill for the conditions there.

I don't think you can compare burn time or the 'R' version with the non-rechargable version that easily. The NiCd battery in the D8R with the 30W lamp selected is delivering over 3A. Alkaline cells can't do that so the non-rechargable version must be using lower power lamps.

You could upgrade the lamp in a non-R and fill it with NiCd or NiMH cells but be a bit cautious. The 30W lamp runs very hot and there are scorch marks on the reflector and bulb mounting of mine. You don't want your torch melting.