Another torch question....

[sailorbuoy]

Another bl**dy torch question i'm afraid.....

Was diving with Scuttler and his 21w HID "laser of death" on Sunday and have come to realise that my ikle Beaver Astro torch is not really up for the job.... to be fair i bought it as a starter torch when I moved into UK diving and it has done me OK thus far..... (and is for sale in the adverts section at bargain price!)

So, what do we recommend, budget is tight (SWMBO has just noticed the new Frog Wing.....doh!) but i am happy to spend iro £200.

Do I go for a 2nd hand 10w umbilical jobby, or a top end torchy thing. I already have my trusty Frogmen Lensers for holidays.

I will also be in the USA in June... but the season will be half over by then!!

Rich

[Scuttler]

Hi Rich,

As explained yesterday the 10w is more than sufficient for most of the diving you'll be doing over the next year or two. In fact one of my buddies has a 10w and the beam is much tighter than mine. An alternative is one of the Greenforces LUMB BROS Umbilical Torches which you should be able to pick up second hand within your budget.

You might be lucky enough to pick up a second hand Salvo or Halcyon but they don't come around in your budget too often and when they do they're snapped up in no time.

I don't have much experience with the Greenforce torches but the ones I've seen don't focus too tightly so the lighting is more spread or diffused (if that's the right word) and so you don't get the penetration. You also find in high lighting conditions that signalling is not so easy. (Some might say you wouldn't need a torch in high lighting conditions but if you have to follow in single file then having a torch with sufficient penetration makes communicating with your buddy in front/behind much simpler).

With a second hand Halcyon or Salvo you might want to upgrade bits of it (one thing I'd recommend is the sealed switch unit as this prevents water ingress into the battery compartment). The older Halcyon's did appear to have bulb fragility problems. I don't know if that's resolved now but I'm led to believe it is. Some of the Salvos had a clip pin rusting problem. I think it was a batch issue but I think Adrian Kelland knows most about it (besides Phill obviously).

Brightstar do some torches but I don't think they are umbilical so probably not what you're looking for.

Personally I'd buy something that you can grow with (such as the Halcyon or Salvo) but to be honest for the diving you will be doing for much of this year your torch is fine or buy another Lenser if you prefer. That way you can save a bit of cash and get what you really want later when the dust settles over the emergence of the Frog wing

[BJ]

http://www.divernet.com/cgi-bin/arti...t+-+the+lights...
Divernet | Group tests | Dive Torch Survey - Results...

[The Duck]

Just bite the bullet - you know you want to

Salvo Rebel 4.5 Ah NIMH 10 Watt Focusable Torch, 10 Watt NiMH Lights at divingniknaks 0121 707 5783. Frog, Dirzone, Agir Brokk Scuba Diving Gear

[sailorbuoy]

Originally Posted by The Duck

Just bite the bullet - you know you want to

Salvo Rebel 4.5 Ah NIMH 10 Watt Focusable Torch, 10 Watt NiMH Lights at divingniknaks 0121 707 5783. Frog, Dirzone, Agir Brokk Scuba Diving Gear

YMBFJ!!!! My car only cost a few quid more than this light

Thoughts on a non-focusable 10w Halcyon for just over £200?

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by The Duck

Just bite the bullet - you know you want to

Salvo Rebel 4.5 Ah NIMH 10 Watt Focusable Torch, 10 Watt NiMH Lights at divingniknaks 0121 707 5783. Frog, Dirzone, Agir Brokk Scuba Diving Gear

My baby!

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by sailorbuoy

YMBFJ!!!! My car only cost a few quid more than this light

Thoughts on a non-focusable 10w Halcyon for just over £200?

I have one and its excelent. Protius 3 Lead Acid batterty. Lovley compact head design. Still on the origional bulb after 5 years.

An excelent torch for your price range.

Look for Fiona's for sale add I put a Video on there of AndyP using his on the Zenobia. You can see the 21W salvo i am using beside it in several shots.

if yuo can stretch to 4-500 s/h get the 21W Salvo. If you cant then the 10W fixed beem Halcyon.

ATB

Mark

[BJ]

...and for only around £400 extra, you can have it in a gold colour Delrin.

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by BJ

...and for only around £400 extra, you can have it in a gold colour Delrin.

Comes with matching medallion...

[Mal Bridgeman]

Any help ??? F/S Halcyon 10W Pro 4 HID Torch
Mal