Halycon or Greenforce

[David Pye]

Hi all,

I'm looking at a new torch at around 300-350 quid.

I'm considering the Halcyon Proteus 3 (fixed focus), or the Greenforce F2 Tristar plus umbilical, as I definitely want an umbilical torch.

Any thoughts between these two?

The GF 50W HID is out of my price range REALLY, I think. The F2 doesn't look really canister-ish, so if I went for that, how easy is it to attach to a wing?

Advice welcome!

Cheers,

David

[milldog]

Agir Brokk torch

just throwing my 2p in if not Halcyon

[pieater]

Drop Phill a PM - you never know your luck....

[markosis]

I know some people who are very, very dissatisfied with what they got with halcyon umbilical torches.

Including, but not limited to: Charger problems, batteries not holding charge, flooding of cannister, flooding of head, unreliable bulbs, bits falling off, catches failing and cannister lids not fitting properly.

I'd think twice about buying one.

I have a Salvo umbilical and its great (I've even dropped it a couple of times and the bulb still works). Mind you, I know Garf has had problems with his....

[JAG]

Originally Posted by David Pye

Hi all,

I'm looking at a new torch at around 300-350 quid.

I'm considering the Halcyon Proteus 3 (fixed focus), or the Greenforce F2 Tristar plus umbilical, as I definitely want an umbilical torch.

Any thoughts between these two?

The GF 50W HID is out of my price range REALLY, I think. The F2 doesn't look really canister-ish, so if I went for that, how easy is it to attach to a wing?

Advice welcome!

Cheers,

David

I have no experience using a Halcyon torch, but I have seen others and have seen them fail/blow/fizz on a fairly regular basis before incurring much frustration and expense. On the other hand, having used the F2 and Tristar Plus, (now using the HID Impact) and seeing others use Greenforce Torches, have never seen one fail. Maybe that's just me and I'm sure others will be along to say exactly the opposite. But GF appear to be very hard wearing and above all reliable.

Regarding the F2 on a wing - check here for recent postings.

Hope that helps.

Ian

[Noel Johnson]

Hi,

I use an F2 umbilical and I love it. It's the pro head though not the tri-star but for the rest of it it's the same.

I personally attach it to the back plate using some webbing and a pair of quick links like this



This enables it to sit out of the way and I don't even know its there. Routing it on the harness also works nicely (I tried that too) but the battery was a little short for retaining the long hose in a DIR stylee (just my own personal experience of course).

Anyway I hope this helps,

Noel

[David Pye]

Thanks for the info so far. Point taken about the Halcyons, I'll cross them (mostly) off the list for now. Just one question then remains:

How good is the Tristar head, as compared to the HID ones? I'm assuming more robust, longer life, but worse illumination.

How much worse? ie is it suitable for UK wreck diving etc, or should I really wait til I can afford the HID?

David

[Dave Crampton]

I'm not sure about the newer head but my 35W equivolent head is not too bad in dark conditions. Its quite a defussed beam (i.e. not fucused) and broad. I also have the Custom Divers hand held which is as bright but a more concentrated beam. See Divers Ware House for them. I got mine from Spain but you can now buy them here. The life if the battery charge is ~22 hours I think for the Green force with Tristar. The Custom Divers hand held is ~10 hours.

They are not as good as a HID especially in light conditons, like shallow dives in great vis on a sunny day. They are a good back up and have a long 'burn' time but I'd not use one again for a main head, only as a back up / night dive torch. They are great for night dives, but the light is white not yellow which takes some getting used to.

[Garf]

Have to agree with JAG here.

I have gone thorugh a half dozen Halcyon/SALVOS before getting one that is reliable. The greenforce I had was, on the other hand, 100% reliable from day 1.

that being said, now I would not give up my Salvo for love or money, if you get one that is 100% they are superb.

[wacky28]

Hi David, I've just bought an F2 & Tristar umbilical & I am really pleased with it.

A mate did the Bartering at the Dive show, whilst I just stood there looking embarressed. Used it now on 4 occasions & I can honestly say it's my new favourite thing.

Dived it alongside 2 different 50W umilical, one a Custom divers & one un-branded & although the light is not quite as bright, it is a lot whiter. It's more than enough for murky Uk wrecks. So far used it for 4 almost 1 hour dives & haven't needed to charge it either.

I have mounted it on the side of my twinset with a home made ss bracket, so I can remove it easily. However due to the weight I have noticed the battery pack is trying to twist me slightly.

But otherwise I lurve it!

Only draw back is don't use it along side mates who have an F3 & tristar 15, as you may feel slightly in adequate. But for the money ( it's was in my range ) Best £325 I have spent