Metalsub any good ?

[colinicky]

As it says really are they any good ? how do they compare alongside an equivalent power Salvo ?
TIA

[Silent Diver]

My new HID200 just arrived so hopefully I will be able to tell you what its like after the weekend.

[telsa]

I too have a HID 200 and I've never seen anything brighter! It can be used on three different power settings, turned full on, inside a wreck its sometimes a little too bright as the white light washes the colours out so I turn it down to a lower power level when needed.

I would'nt want anything else!

Rob

[Rob Dobson]

Originally Posted by telsa

I too have a HID 200 and I've never seen anything brighter! It can be used on three different power settings, turned full on, inside a wreck its sometimes a little too bright as the white light washes the colours out so I turn it down to a lower power level when needed.

I would'nt want anything else!

Rob

So this is a HiD which has different power settings? Interesting. I've never seen one but I would like to if anyone wants to meet up and do a comparison with selection of Salvo's....?

Other than the Slavo and Halcyon big guns (18W, 21W, 24W, 35W and now 50W) the light that has really impressed me is the Dive Rite 10W HiD.

I first saw one out in Seattle earlier in the year and the beam was really nice but the battery was knackered and the guy was only getting 20mins out of it which was useless as we were doing 3 dives of an hour+ per day.

Then I jumped in with one a few days ago (thanks to Scribley for the loan) and this time the battery was fine and lasted the whole dive with no problems. It has a razor fine beam on it much, much thinner than the Salvo / Halcyon 'light-sabre' beams. Because the beam is so thin it can throw it a good distance despite being only 10W. A great little light for signalling when it is focused and of course you can defocus the reflector if you want to. I'd still rather have a 21W Salvo but it is a bloody good light all the same.

[colinicky]

Rob
I'd "like" the 50w Salvo but that would be the dive fund for the next year gone west !

[Rob Dobson]

Originally Posted by colinicky

Rob
I'd "like" the 50w Salvo but that would be the dive fund for the next year gone west !

I've yet to see the 50W in the water so I'm reserving judgement on it until then. I've got a pretty good idea of what to expect but sometimes these things don't pan out the way you expect.

I like the 35W a lot but I prefer the beam colour of the 21W, so the reduced burn time of the battery Vs the increased distance is a tricky one to call. Personally I've stuck with the 21W's and the 15.2ah Rebel gives 8.5hrs off of a single charge which is easily a weekends diving.

The 50W has a bigger battery still and gives 4hrs burn time which is over day but not quite a weekend. I am interested in the 50W and would really like to see how it performs but not sure if I can justify it.

[colinicky]

The one thing that I personally have against the Salvo's is the switch being on the battery as my current battery (CD hid) sits inside the frame on my Vision .

[Rob Dobson]

Originally Posted by colinicky

The one thing that I personally have against the Salvo's is the switch being on the battery as my current battery (CD hid) sits inside the frame on my Vision .

HHmmmm tricky one... If you are happy with having your light where it is then maybe look at LEDs as they tend to have the switch on the light head.

Personally I like my light on my right hip so it's not a problem.

[jonny4846]

I've just received my Metalsub KL1256 LED, and while I can't comment on its in water ability yet its a damn good piece of engineering.... A couple of reason's I went for the Metalsub and the LED version,
1. The LED head is much more robust and cheaper than the HID's out there, its output is better on the surface anyway than the comparable SSP and the switch of course is on the torch head and very clever, lock position, ready position, Half power and Full power.

2. The battery I purchased has a 2.5 hour burntime on full power and 5h on half power, you can strecth the budget and go for a more powerful battery, but 2.5h is enough for most divers. It has a tank plate with quick relase plate making it very easy to remove for charging.

3. The most practical function is the attachment of the head and umbilical. The umbilical cord is attached to the ahead permanently and connects to the battery when needed etc. This has two advantages, 1, you just disconnect the light head and then the battery via the quick realse and charge the battery no need to lug the whole torch around. 2, you can purchase a second head, in my instance, when the budget allows the HID200. And effectively have two torches with the one battery.

4. You can have the batteries with Dual Connections. Something like the green force torches allow you. You can if the battery has enough juice run two torch heads of one battery.

5. Best of all its cost, mine a KL1256 Configurator, PR1206 Battery and fast charger with Goodman handle cost me 850 euro's. Thats 300 euro cheaper than the equivalent SSP, with better functions IMO, ( sure Kevin at SSP will argue otherwise). And well compared to the Salvo, Halcyon's etc. its a Red Sea Holiday cheaper.....

That was my summary when I decided hich and what torch to go for... But what ever torch you decide on it will be the best for you will be too afraid to spend all that money and admit otherwise....

Jonny

[telsa]

Originally Posted by Rob Dobson

So this is a HiD which has different power settings? Interesting. I've never seen one but I would like to if anyone wants to meet up and do a comparison with selection of Salvo's....?

Other than the Slavo and Halcyon big guns (18W, 21W, 24W, 35W and now 50W) the light that has really impressed me is the Dive Rite 10W HiD.

I first saw one out in Seattle earlier in the year and the beam was really nice but the battery was knackered and the guy was only getting 20mins out of it which was useless as we were doing 3 dives of an hour+ per day.

Then I jumped in with one a few days ago (thanks to Scribley for the loan) and this time the battery was fine and lasted the whole dive with no problems. It has a razor fine beam on it much, much thinner than the Salvo / Halcyon 'light-sabre' beams. Because the beam is so thin it can throw it a good distance despite being only 10W. A great little light for signalling when it is focused and of course you can defocus the reflector if you want to. I'd still rather have a 21W Salvo but it is a bloody good light all the same.

You cant change the focus on the HID 200 so if that's important then i guess it wont suit everybody.
Battery life is good and can be extended by turning down the power.