Proteus 3 as first can light?

Leg of Salmon · February 29th, 2008, 11:51 AM

Hi

Does the 10w Proteus 3 make a good "My first umbilical" ?

From what I have read it probably is, but just wondered what anyone else thought. I can get a second hand one at a reasonable price.

Does anyone know the charge time for the battery? <> Seems its 6 hours for a Proteus 3<>.

And also, whats so good about turbo soles? Why do people like them more than rock boots?

Thanks
Chris

Matt Gentile · February 29th, 2008, 12:11 PM

Info on the Halcyon Pro Range Halcyon: Proteus Light Specifications

My first Primary Light was also a 10W HID, which I later upgraded to a 18W; in hindsight I should have just gone for the 18W from the start, which in the long run would have saved me money. There isn't anything wrong with the 10W, but the 18W is a lot better (in my opinion) for signalling and overall illumination/penetration in low vis.

With regards to Turbo Soles I would say the pro's are dexterity in fin kicks (rotating ankles etc) and also less of a snagging hazard (laces on the rock boots). I'm sure our DUI dealers on here will give a run-down on the pro's and con's.

*Brian Allen* · February 29th, 2008, 01:04 PM

My first light was a Halcyon Proteus 3 focusable, and it got me through Tech-1, Tech-2, The instructor course and all my interns. It flew around the world with me everywhere and never let me down. I only upgraded it 3 months ago and that was because i bought a video set up and wanted a light that could be used for video.

I think it was the perfect first torch, and I would not have bought an 18W first time around. I think it was easier as most of the people I dive with around plymouth also own a 10W. Had I buddied up that much with people with an 18, I may have felt "inadequate" but for the times that I did, it worked just fine.

Brian

Grebo · February 29th, 2008, 01:11 PM

I've got a focusable Proteus 3 and love it. For wreck diving here in the NE of Scotland it seems fine, an 18W would be better I'm sure but the 10W are more available second hand. Things to look out for if buying second hand are the cord breaking (especially in the focusable) and batteries that fail. Both are easy and cheap to fix if you're confident with a soldering iron.

As for rock boots or turbo soles, no argument for me..... Rock boots. I do a lot of shore diving and have used both, turbo soles are just useless/dangerous for me. Also I'm not convinced that you lose any movement in your ankles with the rock boots.

Just my tuppenceworth.

Leg of Salmon · February 29th, 2008, 01:23 PM

Thanks guys.

The one I am looking at has the clear perspex (?) lid.

Were there any major/ worthwhile upgrades that went with the Delrin lidded model?

se2schul · February 29th, 2008, 02:23 PM

The older ones have the clear lid.
I actually prefer the clear lids, as you can look in and see if the battery is plugged in or not.

I think there are 2 major considerations for buying a light - burntime and brightness. Your 10W is plenty bright - unless you're diving with a bunch of people with 18W lights who don't see your light easily.

I actually prefer the SLA batteries to the NiMH. Although they are bigger, heavier and less energy dense, the SLA's are also more reliable, easier to charge, undamaged if you flood your light, and dirt cheap to replace or makeup spare packs. Sometimes the more energy-dense NiMH are required, but if your diving lets you get away with SLA batteries, I'd be very happy and choose that.

Neil S · February 29th, 2008, 04:29 PM

Hi Chris

I had a pro 3 as my first torch and it was a great light for a couple of years. Never had a problem until one day i broke a bulb in transit. I replaced it and a month later broke the replacement bulb.
After speaking to others withthis torch, it appears that i had a good run to get 2 years out of the first bulb.

I too, like many others, sarted to dive with others with 18 and 21 watt torches and quickly upgraded to a 21 watt. The bulb assembly on my new torch is much tougher.

If you do go for the Pro 3 you need to look after it especially when travelling and in a rhib.

HTH

Neil

TAZA · February 29th, 2008, 07:43 PM

If you are not intending doing any cave diving its the dogs bollocks
Still got mine, 10w Focusable works well for me envy of the club.
I love my wreck diving and spend a lot of time in the water.
No reason for upgrading to a larger wattage.
Just a show off thing who has the biggest box

Taza

Mark Chase · February 29th, 2008, 08:14 PM

I just finished a cave course in Mexico. Our instructor was Andreas W Matthes whos name you will see if you look on most of the maps of the caves out there and on the record books. deepest longest etc.

We were diving with Salvo 21W torches and a 1250 Solus LED.

Matt's comment was, were we afraid of the dark? why were we using these stupidly massive light cannons?

They used 10W equivelent LED units

Since HID hit the scene a couple of years back there has been this massive torch envy thing going on. Personally I am starting to back away from it and getting a good fix of common sense.

The 10W Proteus is a great torch and it will do all the diving and signaling you will ever need within its burn time limitations. If your so far apart that you need a more powerful torch then your a seriously crap diver.

On the other hand the lead acid battery needs a long charge time and the burn time is only two hours so there is a good argument for the NiMh version.

Past that, its all penis envy

ATB

Mark

Leg of Salmon · February 29th, 2008, 08:25 PM

Thanks guys.

Can any dealers (or anyone) tell me if there were any worthwhile improvements made to the torch when H started to make them with the Delrin lid?

February 29th, 2008, 11:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
Leg of Salmon (Online) New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Belfast Posts: 131	Proteus 3 as first can light? Hi Does the 10w Proteus 3 make a good "My first umbilical" ? From what I have read it probably is, but just wondered what anyone else thought. I can get a second hand one at a reasonable price. Does anyone know the charge time for the battery? <> Seems its 6 hours for a Proteus 3<>. And also, whats so good about turbo soles? Why do people like them more than rock boots? Thanks Chris Last edited by Leg of Salmon; February 29th, 2008 at 12:36 PM. Reason: thanks DW

February 29th, 2008, 01:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Brian Allen(Offline) GUE Instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London & Plymouth Posts: 593	My first light was a Halcyon Proteus 3 focusable, and it got me through Tech-1, Tech-2, The instructor course and all my interns. It flew around the world with me everywhere and never let me down. I only upgraded it 3 months ago and that was because i bought a video set up and wanted a light that could be used for video. I think it was the perfect first torch, and I would not have bought an 18W first time around. I think it was easier as most of the people I dive with around plymouth also own a 10W. Had I buddied up that much with people with an 18, I may have felt "inadequate" but for the times that I did, it worked just fine. Brian __________________ ...dive planning again ... GUE fundamentals and Halcyon Equipment Online www.ocean-explorers.co.uk

February 29th, 2008, 04:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Neil S(Offline) New Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Liverpool Posts: 275	bulbs!!!! Hi Chris I had a pro 3 as my first torch and it was a great light for a couple of years. Never had a problem until one day i broke a bulb in transit. I replaced it and a month later broke the replacement bulb. After speaking to others withthis torch, it appears that i had a good run to get 2 years out of the first bulb. I too, like many others, sarted to dive with others with 18 and 21 watt torches and quickly upgraded to a 21 watt. The bulb assembly on my new torch is much tougher. If you do go for the Pro 3 you need to look after it especially when travelling and in a rhib. HTH Neil

February 29th, 2008, 08:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mark Chase(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent England Posts: 905	I just finished a cave course in Mexico. Our instructor was Andreas W Matthes whos name you will see if you look on most of the maps of the caves out there and on the record books. deepest longest etc. We were diving with Salvo 21W torches and a 1250 Solus LED. Matt's comment was, were we afraid of the dark? why were we using these stupidly massive light cannons? They used 10W equivelent LED units Since HID hit the scene a couple of years back there has been this massive torch envy thing going on. Personally I am starting to back away from it and getting a good fix of common sense. The 10W Proteus is a great torch and it will do all the diving and signaling you will ever need within its burn time limitations. If your so far apart that you need a more powerful torch then your a seriously crap diver. On the other hand the lead acid battery needs a long charge time and the burn time is only two hours so there is a good argument for the NiMh version. Past that, its all penis envy ATB Mark __________________ The only DIR Inspiration diver in the village

February 29th, 2008, 12:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Matt Gentile (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Norwood Posts: 182	Info on the Halcyon Pro Range Halcyon: Proteus Light Specifications My first Primary Light was also a 10W HID, which I later upgraded to a 18W; in hindsight I should have just gone for the 18W from the start, which in the long run would have saved me money. There isn't anything wrong with the 10W, but the 18W is a lot better (in my opinion) for signalling and overall illumination/penetration in low vis. With regards to Turbo Soles I would say the pro's are dexterity in fin kicks (rotating ankles etc) and also less of a snagging hazard (laces on the rock boots). I'm sure our DUI dealers on here will give a run-down on the pro's and con's.

February 29th, 2008, 01:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Grebo(Offline) New Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Brig O Doom Posts: 69	I've got a focusable Proteus 3 and love it. For wreck diving here in the NE of Scotland it seems fine, an 18W would be better I'm sure but the 10W are more available second hand. Things to look out for if buying second hand are the cord breaking (especially in the focusable) and batteries that fail. Both are easy and cheap to fix if you're confident with a soldering iron. As for rock boots or turbo soles, no argument for me..... Rock boots. I do a lot of shore diving and have used both, turbo soles are just useless/dangerous for me. Also I'm not convinced that you lose any movement in your ankles with the rock boots. Just my tuppenceworth.

February 29th, 2008, 01:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Leg of Salmon (Online) New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Belfast Posts: 131	Thanks guys. The one I am looking at has the clear perspex (?) lid. Were there any major/ worthwhile upgrades that went with the Delrin lidded model?

February 29th, 2008, 02:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
se2schul(Offline) New Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 69	The older ones have the clear lid. I actually prefer the clear lids, as you can look in and see if the battery is plugged in or not. I think there are 2 major considerations for buying a light - burntime and brightness. Your 10W is plenty bright - unless you're diving with a bunch of people with 18W lights who don't see your light easily. I actually prefer the SLA batteries to the NiMH. Although they are bigger, heavier and less energy dense, the SLA's are also more reliable, easier to charge, undamaged if you flood your light, and dirt cheap to replace or makeup spare packs. Sometimes the more energy-dense NiMH are required, but if your diving lets you get away with SLA batteries, I'd be very happy and choose that.

February 29th, 2008, 07:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
TAZA(Offline) New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Warrington Cheshire Posts: 114	If you are not intending doing any cave diving its the dogs bollocks Still got mine, 10w Focusable works well for me envy of the club. I love my wreck diving and spend a lot of time in the water. No reason for upgrading to a larger wattage. Just a show off thing who has the biggest box Taza

February 29th, 2008, 08:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Leg of Salmon (Online) New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Belfast Posts: 131	Thanks guys. Can any dealers (or anyone) tell me if there were any worthwhile improvements made to the torch when H started to make them with the Delrin lid?