HID Torch envy for around £300 (ish)

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by FOX

The Halcyon one is very similar IMO to the Dive Rite ones but if you're looking at the £300 mark you'll only be getting a lead acid battery (which for some reason seems a bit odd to me, old technology with new... weird!)

Lead acid batteries have absolutly no memory. The replacement battery from Halcyon is £50. The same replacement battery from Yussa is £28. The NIMH battery pack is about £140 to replace. As I was on NIMH batery pack number 3 for my old CD unit I started to get pissed off paying £180.00 for its replacemnt which is why I got the Halcyon

ATB

Mark Chase

[MattS]

I have the CD. It seems to take the abuse I give it pretty well. I like the screw top and double O'ring seal - that has been well thought out. Don't like the cost of the bulbs and the first one went in < 6 months. If it goes again I will get another Halogen OMS phantom.

I know a few people with Halcyon's who have had problems; open bulb getting bust, rubber switch leaking, seal catching and flooding, light head disintigrating, bannana plugs playing up, and one guy had his catch fire.

Not heard of any problems with CD other than the early demise of bulbs - it has happened to too many people for my liking.

[Narked@50]

So the Sartek seems to be the one at the moment as no one has had anything negative to say about it?, and although the Halcyon is loved by many, there are equaly several who have experience of either poor quality or design?

I am surprised that no one has gone for the Green Force, I had my doubts, this confirms them, not a single vote so far, it was kind of expected of the others.

Keep them coming, my wallet is having fits.

James

[Jen S]

Originally Posted by Digger

So, I'm voting Halcyon

Well, if you guys want to get together and do the deed at the dive show, I'll buy at £300 by then.

OMG!!! Are my eyes deceiving me!!! Are you actually going for Halcyon - and your actually going to buy a one! Right then, no more laying into my kit! I will convert you yet.

Anyway, back to the subject. I've got a Halcyon Helios 4.5, which I love to bits! I know your looking around the £300 mark, so the Pro 3 is another good option. You've got the option of focusable or non-focusable head, but the focusable one is more expensive. I'm sure there was a few of you, you could get a good deal at the dive show.

Jen

[Mark Chase]

Not heard of any problems with CD other than the early demise of bulbs - it has happened to too many people for my liking.

Talk to Juz about his CD HID that keeps switching its self off all the time

My CD failed where the cable enters the torch head three times. The exact same design of seal and fitting is used on the HID one Not a good sign. Mind you it gave sterling service until the first failure. It was second hand (from a dodgy KISS diver I know, mentioning no namz ) so God knows how old it was when I got it but knowing the diver in question it had done a fair bit of in water time I bet.

ATB

Mark Chase

I have had my 10w Halcyon for around 5 years now and it is still going strong. If it died tomorrow I would buy another.
I have seen too many broken Greenforces and dodgy CD torches to fancy one, at least the Halcyon is rebuildable at home and the spares are available, some from RS components and some from All batteries. Give me Old fashioned (read reliable) technology any day over the latest all singing all dancing kit!

[Dave Crampton]

I think the split of diver in my club with HID is around 40% Green force, 50% Sartek and 10% Halcyon. I voted with Sartek. The one focuable ones look very good.

[Narked@50]

So there seems to be a few more votes for Halcyon, who I have heard of and can buy readily, but what about the Satek? a few people seem to have them, but other than Andy at DD where are they available from? I had never heard of them till I read an archive post from Bren.

Dave - 50% Satek in your club??

James

[Ian Murray]

Originally Posted by narkedat50

but what about the Satek? a few people seem to have them, but other than Andy at DD where are they available from? I had never heard of them till I read an archive post from Bren.

James

I was researching buying the sartek one for a while before Bren chipped in and mentioned that Andy at DD was selling them. There are a couple of dealers in the UK but both weren't very helpful and Andy's prices were alot less than what the others were offering. The other option is to purchase direct from the Sartek website but then you'll have to pay the tax, delivery etc. This makes it cost alot more than what you can get them from Andy.

As for not hearing about them before. If I'm correct this is what the Halcyon light used to be. The original Halcyon one was a rebadged Sartek light. Things have moved on a bit and now Halcyon make their own. This might have something to do with why Sartek have tried to patent the Hid light in this form in the USA. I think that they might feel a bit put out that others have used the original designs for their own profits.

Ian

[And]

Originally Posted by Ian Murray

As for not hearing about them before. If I'm correct this is what the Halcyon light used to be. The original Halcyon one was a rebadged Sartek light. Things have moved on a bit and now Halcyon make their own. This might have something to do with why Sartek have tried to patent the Hid light in this form in the USA. I think that they might feel a bit put out that others have used the original designs for their own profits.

Ian

[sigh] Yes you are mistaken. Lamar English was the guy responsible for initially creating the lights according to GI. Before Halcyon came out with the lights they were branded Extreme Exposure, JJ's dive store, which had the lights with their brand before they came under the Halcyon brand. All of these rumours must be frustrating for Halcyon, and JJ, who I am sure put in a lot of work to compete with both the larger manufacturers and the smaller 'part timers' who make stuff for pocket money. Halcyons gear is based on input from a whole community of divers, doing real exploration dives. It is other manufacturers who copy them.

I have a Halcyon Helios 9 with the 10W Proteus Head and a Helios 13.5 with an 18W Head. I plan on converting the 9 to take twin 18W heads for video. They are great lights, but like any other umbilical light, they need some care and attention to keep them at their best, and they come ready to use straight out of the box, including a mounting loop for the waist strap and a good quality goodman handle which securely fastens to the head. There were some initial problems with the 10W focusable head but I have seen the newer ones which seem better. I have to say I prefer the 18W as it is loads brighter and the focussing is simply a matter of moving the reflector up and down. Halcyon have recently changed the reflector on the 18W to reduce the chances of blinding your buddy, and this improvement was developed by the EKPP I believe.

Andy