Just a little vote of confidence for Halcyon lights.

Little Pete · July 21st, 2007, 05:40 PM

Hi folks,

Just thought it was a good idea to add a couple of experiences I've had with my Halcyon torch since the blue H seems to get negative press on their choice of bulbs.

My two stories are:

1: My HID nosediving from my shoulder D-ring to the car park concrete at Stoney Cove, no damage. Some pointed out that this was end on and the bulb is better protected this way.

2: My recently discovered damage. I helped out on a wreck specialty course last week (thanks Brian and Kitty, wicked time), left my twinset unbungeed for a second and it fell off the bench. I picked it up and got on with it and all was good. When I got my gear back to clean it i realised my goodman handle is bent completely wonky (presumably from the twinset landing on it). This means that the HID bulb area took the full impact of a twinset from the side and guess what...it works fine.

I know that other torches such as Salvo will have many more stories of toughness but I thought it would be fair to point out that the Halcyon ones really aren't as fragile as made out.

All the best,

Pete

sasdasdaf · July 25th, 2007, 07:23 AM

I've had a Halcyon 18W since 2002 and have never broken a bulb or damaged the light in any way. I don't treat the light all that well, either. Have traveled to lots of places with it in checked baggage with no issues.

Gareth Burrows · July 25th, 2007, 11:04 AM

but for every positive story there's a negative one. I had a proteus3 that went back to Halcyon 3 times, and still ended up blowing bulbs on a regular basis, so often that my mates started calling it the "fire and forget".

sasdasdaf · July 25th, 2007, 11:20 AM

how did the bulbs break? on impact or for no good reason?

Gareth Burrows · July 25th, 2007, 12:29 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by sasdasdaf)

how did the bulbs break? on impact or for no good reason?

just kept failing to fire. Had two new ballasts and half a dozen replacement bulbs. In the end I gave up and flogged it for peanuts on ebay. I was glad to see the back of it.

Little Pete · July 25th, 2007, 12:31 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Garf)

but for every positive story there's a negative one. I had a proteus3 that went back to Halcyon 3 times, and still ended up blowing bulbs on a regular basis, so often that my mates started calling it the "fire and forget".

Very true but then I've used Salvos that flicked on and off during a dive for no apparent reason.

At the end of the day they are relatively intricate pieces of hardware that can and do fail. All I was suggesting is that the bulbs might not be quite as weak as hearsay would make out

Gareth Burrows · July 25th, 2007, 04:13 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete)

Very true but then I've used Salvos that flicked on and off during a dive for no apparent reason.

At the end of the day they are relatively intricate pieces of hardware that can and do fail. All I was suggesting is that the bulbs might not be quite as weak as hearsay would make out

hearsay is when you have heard about "people" thathave had problems. However, in the case of Halcyon and their Welch allen Bulbs, I can name half a dozen people who have experienced the same problem personally. Outside the dive industry, I've even spoken with someone in volvo reseach and design who said they avoid them as they are a little too fragile, and I know a designer for a Motorcycle company who failed the welch allen HID bulbs for their fragililty. It's got little to do with Halcyon, it's just the bulb technology is still evolving.

Like it or lump it, the Brightstar bulbs seem to be more robust, but then you'll always get horror stories about every torch. It's simply that there seem to be a great many about the proteus 10W torches in particular. Just to add confusion to the matter, I also know someone that unpacks his kit by chucking it in the boot and then literally throwing it onto a bench in his shed. Sometimes the proteus is on the top of the kit, sometimes it's on the bottom. I've seen him drop it on the concrete floor. and the bloody thing refuses to quit working.

*Brian Allen* · July 25th, 2007, 04:46 PM

Neither I, nor any of the divers using Halcyon lights that dive out of my centre in Plymouth have ever had any issue with the Welch Allen bulbs in our Halcyon lights. So I’d agree with Pete they aren't as fragile as we are led to believe.

What we shouldn't loose sight of is that the main issue is whether or not a piece of kit is fit for use underwater. If a Welch Allen bulb is no good for the automotive industry, does this really have any bearing on how good it is for diving? Whilst underwater are the bulbs being constantly vibrated and knocked during every day use?

There will always be occasional stories of bad experiences with all types of equipment and I have heard approximately the same number from owners of both types of light.

Personally I find the light quality from Welch Allen bulbs and Halcyon lights to be superior, hence why they are my preference, and why I accept the alleged increase in risk of breaking a bulb if I don't take care of it. Although admittedly I haven't dived with a buddy using a Salvo for at least a year now so I couldn't say how the competition has improved.

Brian

graham_hk · July 25th, 2007, 05:19 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Brian A)

Personally I find the light quality from Welch Allen bulbs and Halcyon lights to be superior, hence why they are my preference, and why I accept the alleged increase in risk of breaking a bulb if I don't take care of it.

I'll second that - I can not however really say that I have experience with the Salvo's since I only have 1 buddy with one and he is selling for ethical reasons.

Graham

limeyx · July 25th, 2007, 05:47 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete)

Very true but then I've used Salvos that flicked on and off during a dive for no apparent reason.

At the end of the day they are relatively intricate pieces of hardware that can and do fail. All I was suggesting is that the bulbs might not be quite as weak as hearsay would make out

yes, I don't see any really fundamental differences between them. Some claim the bulbs are different strengths etc.

My Halcyon Proteus 3 has flooded twice (I think a dodgy catch)
My Helios 9 had a bulb go, and had to have the cord replaced
My salvo video lights have had a ballast go, and are now back in for a weird bulb issue (less than a year old)
My buddy has flooded his helios 9 for no discernable reason twice now
Another buddy's hybrid Halcyon/something else light seems to flood almost every dive
Other buddy never seems to have any light flood but has to replace her drysuit seals on a bi-weekly basis....

July 21st, 2007, 05:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	Just a little vote of confidence for Halcyon lights. Hi folks, Just thought it was a good idea to add a couple of experiences I've had with my Halcyon torch since the blue H seems to get negative press on their choice of bulbs. My two stories are: 1: My HID nosediving from my shoulder D-ring to the car park concrete at Stoney Cove, no damage. Some pointed out that this was end on and the bulb is better protected this way. 2: My recently discovered damage. I helped out on a wreck specialty course last week (thanks Brian and Kitty, wicked time), left my twinset unbungeed for a second and it fell off the bench. I picked it up and got on with it and all was good. When I got my gear back to clean it i realised my goodman handle is bent completely wonky (presumably from the twinset landing on it). This means that the HID bulb area took the full impact of a twinset from the side and guess what...it works fine. I know that other torches such as Salvo will have many more stories of toughness but I thought it would be fair to point out that the Halcyon ones really aren't as fragile as made out. All the best, Pete __________________ The shortesk pink mask wearing str#ke on DIRx apparently

July 25th, 2007, 11:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gareth Burrows(Offline) Chimp 2 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Horsham, West Sussex Posts: 365	but for every positive story there's a negative one. I had a proteus3 that went back to Halcyon 3 times, and still ended up blowing bulbs on a regular basis, so often that my mates started calling it the "fire and forget". __________________ Garf Amusing and Clever Signature under construction.

July 25th, 2007, 12:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gareth Burrows(Offline) Chimp 2 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Horsham, West Sussex Posts: 365	Quote: (Originally Posted by sasdasdaf) how did the bulbs break? on impact or for no good reason? just kept failing to fire. Had two new ballasts and half a dozen replacement bulbs. In the end I gave up and flogged it for peanuts on ebay. I was glad to see the back of it. __________________ Garf Amusing and Clever Signature under construction.

July 25th, 2007, 12:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	Quote: (Originally Posted by Garf) but for every positive story there's a negative one. I had a proteus3 that went back to Halcyon 3 times, and still ended up blowing bulbs on a regular basis, so often that my mates started calling it the "fire and forget". Very true but then I've used Salvos that flicked on and off during a dive for no apparent reason. At the end of the day they are relatively intricate pieces of hardware that can and do fail. All I was suggesting is that the bulbs might not be quite as weak as hearsay would make out __________________ The shortesk pink mask wearing str#ke on DIRx apparently

July 25th, 2007, 04:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gareth Burrows(Offline) Chimp 2 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Horsham, West Sussex Posts: 365	Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete) Very true but then I've used Salvos that flicked on and off during a dive for no apparent reason. At the end of the day they are relatively intricate pieces of hardware that can and do fail. All I was suggesting is that the bulbs might not be quite as weak as hearsay would make out hearsay is when you have heard about "people" thathave had problems. However, in the case of Halcyon and their Welch allen Bulbs, I can name half a dozen people who have experienced the same problem personally. Outside the dive industry, I've even spoken with someone in volvo reseach and design who said they avoid them as they are a little too fragile, and I know a designer for a Motorcycle company who failed the welch allen HID bulbs for their fragililty. It's got little to do with Halcyon, it's just the bulb technology is still evolving. Like it or lump it, the Brightstar bulbs seem to be more robust, but then you'll always get horror stories about every torch. It's simply that there seem to be a great many about the proteus 10W torches in particular. Just to add confusion to the matter, I also know someone that unpacks his kit by chucking it in the boot and then literally throwing it onto a bench in his shed. Sometimes the proteus is on the top of the kit, sometimes it's on the bottom. I've seen him drop it on the concrete floor. and the bloody thing refuses to quit working. __________________ Garf Amusing and Clever Signature under construction. Last edited by Gareth Burrows; July 25th, 2007 at 04:16 PM.

July 25th, 2007, 07:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
sasdasdaf(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 375	I've had a Halcyon 18W since 2002 and have never broken a bulb or damaged the light in any way. I don't treat the light all that well, either. Have traveled to lots of places with it in checked baggage with no issues.

July 25th, 2007, 11:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
sasdasdaf(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 375	how did the bulbs break? on impact or for no good reason?

July 25th, 2007, 04:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
Brian Allen(Offline) GUE Instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London & Plymouth Posts: 593	Neither I, nor any of the divers using Halcyon lights that dive out of my centre in Plymouth have ever had any issue with the Welch Allen bulbs in our Halcyon lights. So I’d agree with Pete they aren't as fragile as we are led to believe. What we shouldn't loose sight of is that the main issue is whether or not a piece of kit is fit for use underwater. If a Welch Allen bulb is no good for the automotive industry, does this really have any bearing on how good it is for diving? Whilst underwater are the bulbs being constantly vibrated and knocked during every day use? There will always be occasional stories of bad experiences with all types of equipment and I have heard approximately the same number from owners of both types of light. Personally I find the light quality from Welch Allen bulbs and Halcyon lights to be superior, hence why they are my preference, and why I accept the alleged increase in risk of breaking a bulb if I don't take care of it. Although admittedly I haven't dived with a buddy using a Salvo for at least a year now so I couldn't say how the competition has improved. Brian __________________ ...dive planning again ... GUE fundamentals and Halcyon Equipment Online www.ocean-explorers.co.uk Last edited by Brian Allen; July 25th, 2007 at 05:44 PM. Reason: spelling

July 25th, 2007, 05:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
graham_hk(Offline) Pinoy ako pinoy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: here, there and everywhere Posts: 779	Quote: (Originally Posted by Brian A) Personally I find the light quality from Welch Allen bulbs and Halcyon lights to be superior, hence why they are my preference, and why I accept the alleged increase in risk of breaking a bulb if I don't take care of it. I'll second that - I can not however really say that I have experience with the Salvo's since I only have 1 buddy with one and he is selling for ethical reasons. Graham __________________ DIN caps and plugs with free world wide postage: www.dustcap.halcyon-hk.com

July 25th, 2007, 05:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
limeyx(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 708	Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete) Very true but then I've used Salvos that flicked on and off during a dive for no apparent reason. At the end of the day they are relatively intricate pieces of hardware that can and do fail. All I was suggesting is that the bulbs might not be quite as weak as hearsay would make out yes, I don't see any really fundamental differences between them. Some claim the bulbs are different strengths etc. My Halcyon Proteus 3 has flooded twice (I think a dodgy catch) My Helios 9 had a bulb go, and had to have the cord replaced My salvo video lights have had a ballast go, and are now back in for a weird bulb issue (less than a year old) My buddy has flooded his helios 9 for no discernable reason twice now Another buddy's hybrid Halcyon/something else light seems to flood almost every dive Other buddy never seems to have any light flood but has to replace her drysuit seals on a bi-weekly basis.... __________________ my divelog: http://www.mydivinglife.com/limeyx