Halcyon Helios

[Fathoms Down]

Has anyone used a Halcyon Helios HID torch? They seem pretty good but I'd be interested in what people who have used one think about them.

Cheers.

[Rick Huggins]

<font color='#0000FF'>I have seen one used in anger, looked like Blackpool illuminations

I'm in the process of building my own, so I'll let you know soon

[And]

<font color='#000080'>Hi

I have a Helios 9 with 10Watt Proteus HID head.

They work very well and I have loads of burn time available. The canister is slim and has never leaked. The switch is robust and easy to find underwater (I tend to switch the light off on ascent and on when about to descend).

I would recommend the 18W head though as the Proteus has a tendency to break the testube bit of the bulb (still works without the test tube bit though) and the twist focus thing sometimes turns my light off so I tend to leave it at the smallest beam. It is more compact though and I find that to be an advantage when clipping off on the ascent, it doesn't dangle so much.

I am upgrading shortly to a 13.5 and 18 watt head though because the 18w is a better lighthead. If you use the E/O leads you can replace the bulb underwater for example and the beam is much brighter and thicker. I'll have the 9 as a spare

They are great torches though and I would never dive without one now. Once you get used to light signals you can never go back.

Hope that helps

Andy

[japandiver]

The Helios 9 18W is a fantastic lamp. It is not cheap but I have never regretted buying it!

The way I see it is that after you have gone to the all hassle and expensive of actually getting yourself in the water and the only reason you are there is to look at things then you might as well buy the best lampthat you can afford. Most of the group I dive with are using the 10W Helios and they all suffer lamp envy. That said, you do have to be careful not to blind or fry a buddy and the light is bright enough to disturb some fish! Make friends with a Halcyon dealer, sell your soul and buy one.

Hugh