Brightstar 21W HID Diving Torch

[Tassie Devil]

Has anyone seen, heard of or used this torch:

Brightstar 21W HID rechargeable diving torch

• Bulb life: 1200hrs
• Mains and car charging options
• Run time with full charge: 135 mins
• Battery, lanyard, filter lenses and allen key supplied
• Battery type: Rechargeable Sony G5 5200mAh lithium-ion
• Dimensions excluding handle: 106mm x 105mm x 180mm

It retails for only $499AUS which is more than half the price of my current Alpha Torch.
It has a removable grip and doubles as a video pilot light. If anyone knows anything about them, please let me know, caus I know nothing!!

[Simon A]

I think Janos has one of these for his missus, so it may be worth asking him.
I seem to remember that the info I've seen on them is as follows:-
Lovely bright light, although the first few batches had quality (reliability) problems. Current batches are fine. Great light providing you don't need an umbilical torch.
HTH
Simon A

[Prometheus]

Woz has got them on his website, and a video.

[Tassie Devil]

Cheers,

I'm interested to know about the quality of the light? Intitial batches were no good? On paper they should be a good torch. I have a you beaut torch with an umbilical head unit. Is nice, but worth $1400AUS. FAR too expensive for a torch in my eyes. Are there any other lithium-ion rechargeable HID torches for around $500AUS (I guess about 200 pound)??

[Simon A]

Initial batches were approx 2 years ago. Hopefully you won get stock that old!
Send Woz a PM, he sells a few and he'll be able tell you if he has had any issues recently.
HTH
Simon A

[Tassie Devil]

They sell them here in an electronics store, not many dive shops! Was wondering if they were toys or not but obviously they are the real deal.

[Davwardo]

Tassie - they are the dogs danglies in terms of brightness. I do standard club type UK diving and it blows away all other dive lights I have seen apart from high end umbilicals.

I have lost count of the times that people diving within my group ( not just my buddy ) have come up to me after the dive and commented on the brightness of the torch.

I bought mine a year ago and had one problem. The on / off button was taking several goes to work. I sent it off and a new one came back within days. The problem was with the ballast. The one I got back was slightly different to the one in your picture ( which was the one I originally bought ). The new one I was sent had a rubber cover at the top / side.

Hope that helps.

[Tassie Devil]

Awesome

I need a backup rechargeable light. Is the plastic robust? A rubber boot would help.

[Davwardo]

Originally Posted by Tassie Devil

Awesome

I need a backup rechargeable light. Is the plastic robust? A rubber boot would help.

Tassie - I dive mainly off RIBs in the UK and I haven't smashed it... yet . PS - not sure I would call this a backup light! They are pretty chunky to say the least ( much chunkier than a light cannon 100 for example ).

[Tassie Devil]

Originally Posted by Davwardo

Tassie - I dive mainly off RIBs in the UK and I haven't smashed it... yet . PS - not sure I would call this a backup light! They are pretty chunky to say the least ( much chunkier than a light cannon 100 for example ).

Sure, have no probs with them being chunky, as long as they're not gonna crack if you knock it against a rock for example. Not needed as a backup on the same dive, but because I instruct and guide a lot of dives, if my good torch goes down, I'm stuffed if a big way. It has been playing up of late, which has promted me to get a second "good" torch. I just have a little pocket torch as a backup.

Not bad that they come with filters for video work. Kind of a cool little kit if you ask me for the price. Quality batteries and Woz said the globes are pretty standard.

Reckon I might give one a go.

Can't dive without a good torch, I get so dirty when mine fails!!