HID Torch envy for around £300 (ish)

[Narked@50]

I want a new umbilical HID torch to go with a shed load of new kit which is currently winging it's way to my humble aboad. I know this is the entry point for HID, but I think it's better than the top of the range halogen/xenon stuff for a similar price. I want it for UK use and with an umbilical cord, 80min+ burn time, 10w HID bulb for brightness/cost and under 8hr charge time with a variable current charger (just in case). I would prefer variable focus but the cost may prohibit this. So......

I want to know what's best for around £300 - and why? If anyone rekons they know the best place for price, that info. would be appreciated too.

James

[beanie]

if you can get a CD for £300 go for it
I think mines great

[Padowan]

I've got the CD one, but would probably go for a Sartek if I was doing it again. However if you're on a limited budget, the greenforce would give you the ability to modularise the system and start off with a Xenon head and something like an F2 battery pack, with the umbilical cable, then get a Compact HID head at a later date if you felt you wanted more burntime or the whiter more penetrating light of the HID.

[ian Price]

Ive got a sartek I bought from Andy H at Dalesdivers its the dogs danglies and you get to do quiet impressions of a jedi master at depth!

Seriously it has a 5 hour burn time, an excellent focusable beam, a great light head and clip, cant say much about relaibility cos I havent had it that long, though I belive Bren bought one from Andy a while back.

Ian

[Digger]

Well, I'm consistently impressed with the Halcyon torches at the moment, and I'm yet to meet a dissatisfied customer. One thing Mark Chase showed me at the weekend was the SS they've used seems to be slightly lower grade than perhaps it should, but it's only very lightly discoloured, and not going to be disasterous.

Green force I liked before, but I keep hearing stories about problems with them.

Do Kowalski do an umbilical?

So, I'm voting Halcyon, but I don't think you can go too far wrong with most of your options.

Digs.

[FOX]

Haven't got a clue what's best though i did post a similar thread a while ago.

It seems to mee that there could be quite a bit of buying power from people on this forum wanting HID umbilical torches...

...discount for bulk anyone!!

[Tim Ingmire]

I have a CD one (£250 2nd hand from DW it was in top condition) and I really like it.

The guy I was with in Littlehampton had just bought a Halcyon umbilical and I think he said that it was £100 less than the CD so would make it around £350. It looked a good torch.


I like to see the Sartek - I've not laid eyes on one before - any of you loving owners care to post a photo?

[beanie]

Originally Posted by Digger

Do Kowalski do an umbilical?

er yes but £££££££££££££££££££££££

[Garf]

My shiny new halcyon Proteus 3 Arrived this morning.

2 Hour burn time, 10W head.

It's black, it's looks indestructible, it's lovely.

/chuffed

[Padowan]

Originally Posted by Digger

Well, I'm consistently impressed with the Halcyon torches at the moment, and I'm yet to meet a dissatisfied customer. One thing Mark Chase showed me at the weekend was the SS they've used seems to be slightly lower grade than perhaps it should, but it's only very lightly discoloured, and not going to be disasterous.

Green force I liked before, but I keep hearing stories about problems with them.

Do Kowalski do an umbilical?

So, I'm voting Halcyon, but I don't think you can go too far wrong with most of your options.

Digs.

Shame you're a poor student and can't afford any of them...