New Torch Quandary

[Mark Chase]

With the Dive Show approaching (albeit slowly) and the C4 being unable to cut the mustard in UK waters, i find myself in the market for a new torch.

It needs to be:

Relatively inexpensive
Bright
Umbilical canister (to mount DIR stylee)
Decent burn time
Well made and reliable

Halcyon Protious Lead acid HID. Fantastic torch, fantastic price, upgradable to NIMH bats if you need 6 hours burn time.

Went for the Lead acid as the replacement bateriers only cost £28.00. My NIMH battery pac for the CD was down to 45min burn time and I was looking at £150.00 for a new battery pac

Comes with mounting loop for DIR stylee mounting or cam banding to the twin set as I do

PS: I have herd green force have flooding problems
PPS: Andyp binned his Greenforce LED for the Halcyon and loves the Halcyon.


ATB

Mark Chase

[Doug Parker]

Originally Posted by Ian Murray

I know someone who has one of these Greenforce ones. They've had nothing but trouble with it since they got it. Regards. Ian.

I know someone who has had every variation of Greenforces best because he's a kit whore. He's finally given up on them as he couldn't put up with the amount of stick he was getting because of it. It got renamed 'Parcel force' as it spent more time with them. He bought a 2nd hand C/D HID torch and broke that within 2 days, so he might just be an unlucky sod.

[Narked@50]

I know very little about "quality" torches but my mate has a greenforce and hates it, uses his DR8 every time.

James

[Mr T.]

Here ya go:

http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/fo...ead.php?t=8219

Simply, to give it its technical reference, 'the dog's bollocks'!

[ahar]

The greenforce LED would only be good in clear viz (red sea for example). On that torch test it was rubbish in bad viz but good when it was clear (on the James Barry)

Hmm, maybe Greenforce isn't the way forward for me then - I've managed to flood 2 UK4Rs already, so maybe not a good idea to get a torch that lots of people have had problems with.

Quick question on the Lead Acid batteries on the Halcyon - how long do they take to charge and will there be a 'memory effect' ? Seen a replacement one for £50 from DirDirect.com unless it's easy to buy one from other places?

Incidentally, there's a proteus 3 up on ebay at the moment. However, the starting bid is £315 which is a little optomistic given that you could buy a new one for £340.

I think for now I'll stick to my Princeton Tec 400 (at least until the batteries run out as the top is stuck and I can't undo it !)

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by ahar

Quick question on the Lead Acid batteries on the Halcyon - how long do they take to charge and will there be a 'memory effect' ? Seen a replacement one for £50 from DirDirect.com unless it's easy to buy one from other places?

Incidentally, there's a proteus 3 up on ebay at the moment. However, the starting bid is £315 which is a little optomistic given that you could buy a new one for £340.

There is no memory effect at all on lead acid batteries. Your car battery is charging and being used all the time with no effect.

The battery is a standard motorcycle / lawn mower battery you can get for
£28.00

Charge time is 6 hours from flat but it usually takes about 2-3 for a top up charge. Burn time is 120mins 10W HID

If your going to the show try and find someone else who wants one and negotiate a deal for two. It worked for Andyp and myself.

ATB

Mark Chase

[FOX]

I thought that Halcyon didn't do deals! Is the battery a gel battery, if not is it ok upside down etc...

[wilbo]

Originally Posted by ahar

Hmm, maybe Greenforce isn't the way forward for me then - I've managed to flood 2 UK4Rs already, so maybe not a good idea to get a torch that lots of people have had problems with.

Ahar,

borrow before you buy.. find someone with the torch you intend to buy and ask them about it.. I personally love my GF torch (except the burn time). I guess people either strongly do or don't like them..