First Torch

[CotoChris]

<font color='#0000FF'>I got the UKD8R last week and very happy with it, then I've only used it for 1 dive. I brought it for £119 at SDS watersports. Although heavy on land in water it is light. So far so good.

[Paul Oliver]

James

If you are going to spend £200 why not go a little bit further and get a greenforce Arrow 12 for about £250, it is a very good umbilical torch and the whole system can be added to and upgraded as you go along.

So instead of buying a new system later just get a second batery pack and connector or a HID head. Its also a Fast Rechargable battery system - Try Divers Warehouse good prices, very prompt and very good after sales service.

Dive Safe

Paul

[CotoChris]

<font color='#0000FF'>Damn, after last nights posting the 30w bulb blew on me this mornings dive. It was only it's second dive! Will check with SDS watersports if it's badluck or a problem, hoping to get a new one for free, after all it was 2weeks old.
The big advantage was although this bulb blew I could use the other one -no problems. This mornings dive was 50cm viz max, at 30m it was dark as night.

PS How much a new bulb would set me back?

[String]

D8R replacement bulb for the 30W is £7.95 according to simplyscuba site.
Same for the 15W.

[Jezza]

Originally Posted by J.D.

Simon,

Im a BSAC club diver, and almost completed sport diver. Got about 50 dives since qualifying, mainly in the sea (mixture of wreck/reef) but occasionally in the NDC at chepstow.

To be honest ive got most of the kit i see myself needing for the time being - Drysuit was the last big purchase, got a Mares Vector 1000 BC and Abyss reg as well as a couple of tanks.

I would like a wing/harness setup though, and maybe then go down the twins route in the future. But i dont really see myself getting these this year, so for the time being a torch is the only main bit of kit i dont have.

James

If you already have the rest of the kit I would go for a second hand umbilical. Have a look on ebay there are always some there.

I had a D4R (just sold on ebay for £53), I have also just sold a Custom Divers 50w Halogen light for £150 (with 6 battery packs and 4 spare bulbs). The two didn't compare, i just didn't get on with the D4R, the umbilical is much brighter, I had a goodman handle so had both hands free underwater, it is attached so you don't have to worry about dropping it plus the spares are very cheap, battery packs (SLA) are £20 and bulbs can be picked up from B&Q for a couple of quid. With most of them you can change the bulb for a lower wattage to extend the burn time.

Even when I flooded the torch and had to send it back to CD, they only charged me £30 for a complete rebuild which included a replacement cable.

I wouldn't go for anything other than an umbilical.

Look at these on ebay 290034570591 120036668011 280031984095 140037644005 270035524858. (these are just examples of what is available, I have no experiance of any of these torches so cannot recommend any of them)

Also another thought, the dive show is in 2 weeks, bound to be some offers around both at the show and at your local dive shop.

[Alan (Dale)]

Originally Posted by J.D.

Hi All,

I'm looking into buying my first torch. Id like something mainly for looking in holes etc, but thats also bright enough to light up an area in low vis, as i sometimes dive in quarries at winter and do the occasional night dive. I have up to about £200 to spend.

With this in mind i rang my LDS, who quoted me £90 for a UK D4R or £130 for a D8R. Im quite attracted to the D8R, especially as the switchable bulbs will let me use it at low power most of the time then up the wattage when i need it!

But.....Today i popped into Bristol Channel Diving in Cardiff, who were really helpful. When i asked about something approaching the £200 mark they showed me a Fa &amp; Mi torch (was either the Ray or Spitlight) which really caught my eye (mmmmm aluminium!! )! What i liked about this one was that it seems small enough to be used as a backup, when in a few years i (hopefully!) get an umbilical! Reading up on this torch ive found that it uses a 20W Xenon bulb, how would this compare with the 35W D8R (i think it uses a halogen bulb, or is that the same thing as a xenon?)

Anyway, does anyone have some experience of these torches or some advice on which to chose?

Phew, think thats all!
Cheers,
James

(Edit: Title should say &quot;Advice Needed&quot;, not &quot;adive&quot;. Oops!)

I had a UK D8R that I was very happy with for 4 Years, then folloiwng the changes in technology I was keen to try something else. After searching around I ended up with a Beaver Plasma LED Torch which i think is every bit as good if not better that my D8R, but with added benifit of 6 Hours burn time and pretty much unbreakable bulbs, all for about £180 although not umbilicle still recommended.

[hyweldavies]

D4 is the (in my humble opinion) clear best buy at around £80 based on your criteria. I had one and it was great. I've since upgraded to a Greenforce halogen umbilical, which is only a bit brighter albeit more convenient, but is nearly four times the price (circa £300) - but nice if you can stretch the budget. The D8 is a great monster of thing and seems too big to be anything but a pain. The light cannon is a bit smaller and hence handier than the D4 and looks brighter but is no longer such a bargain and close to the price of at least a halogen umbilical. If you don't want an umbilical, then it probably isn't a bad buy - I've seen one in use, but not owned one - and it did seem nice.

The snag with D4 type torches is that it's a great dangly thing when you're not using it, and you need your hand to hold it. An umbilical is easily clipped off when not in use (less dangly) and with a so-called Goodman handle doesn't impede use of your hands whilst holding it. However umbilicals are not necessarily that much brighter (depending on model) and are far more expensive.

Good luck

Hywel

[Bill 101]

Without doubt the best place I've found for Fa&Mi torches is DIVETORCH UK - Home (divetorch.co.uk - sorry, not very good at this). They are really nice and what they don't know about Fa&Mi is not worth knowing. They have a great range in stock too from the Baby LED to the new variable 18/60 and even the NEW 200 WATT LED UMBILICAL (has anybody seen one)??!! Also, once you've bought from them you get all sorts of offers.

For £200 you could get the rechargeable Fa&Mi EVO 40, or the 40 watt rechargeable Beaver Plasma for £150! For £200, I guess I'd go for the Power 50 with a rechargeable battery set, or even try for the 18/60!

Good luck,
Bill.

[markosis]

The D8R does have a habit of getting overexcited and burning it's bulbs out.

[Bill 101]

A few of our guys use the Beaver Plasma and are really pleased with it but say make sure you get the sleeve as well! £149 from divetorch, who say they also do a double sleeve for the Plasma. Being a Fa&Mi nut, I would consider the the new Pocket 40 and Power 40 from Fa&Mi. Not rechargeable but serious torches and rechargeable batteries can be used. The pocket version is very solid and fits nicely in a BC pocket too. About the same price I think.

Good Luck,

Bill.