Solus SU-1250 LED torch test

Mark Chase · February 5th, 2008, 05:00 PM

Not specificly DIR but some might be interested for comparison if nothing else.

ATB

Mark

Last September Kevin from SSP contacted me and asked me to have a go with a second generation SU 1250 LED main torch and pass on my thoughts. I jumped at the chance and soon the lovely new SU1250 landed on my door mat.

Before I start with my review a quick reminder that I don’t work for Solus and I am in no way sponsored by them. My current torch is a 9amp 21W Salvo HID and I have a 10W Halcyon Proteus 3 that I use as a spare. Previously I have owned a Greenforce and Custom Divers Halogen units and I have used the Greenforce TriStar LED Fi-May and Metlesub torches on occasion.

I just love doing stuff like kit testing and I do it without allegiance to any one. I try my best to avoid bias but no doubt personal prejudice creeps in.

SOLUS SU 1250 ON TEST

DESIGN

I tested the Solus 1000 last year and I liked it. Yes, it was mega bright and gave off a very white light, which seems to be the must have for today’s dive torches, but that wasn’t it. I liked it most because it felt unbreakable and that means a lot to me.

But I didn’t like it enough to actually buy one. It had a few bits that put me off. The size, the weight the lack of a decent Goodman’s handle. In fact when people asked me, I recommended the less powerful but more compact S500. It would definitly have been my first choice.

Now the second generation SU1250 torch is available and it replaces the S500 and arguably also replaces the S1000.

SOLUS SU-1250 beside the SALVO 21wHID

At first glance the SU1250 is a vast improvement on the old S1000. The canister is now much smaller and at 3.3Kg dry weight and 1.8kg wet weight, it’s significantly lighter too.
Mounting is via a snug fitting and well made pouch that has plastic mini D rings for bolt snaps and it has a webbing loop for cam band or waste belt mounting. I back mounted my one on a cam band. I found no problems in use in the dozen or so dives I have done so far.

The significant change is the introduction of a top quality Goodman’s handle that works and is a dammed site prettier than the old S1000 effort. Goodman’s handles an optional 50 euro extra (£38 $76). This is to reduce the overall cost to those who dont require one.

Adjustment of the handle its self is via two hex key (Alan Key) pan head bolts. Whilst this screams quality Id prefer simple slotted screw for use in the field as the edge of a knife is always available and an Alan key isn’t. That said they have thought to make the hex slot the right size to fit a key on a standard scuba tool. That is a very smart move and it at least means someone on the boat is likely to have one.

Little ridges on the torch body meant it was easy for me to secure my dive knife on the back of the torch. I had to glue a Velcro pad on my Salvo to stop the knife slipping off but no such problems on the Solus

As before the Solus has a head mounted rotary switch offering full power and half power settings. On full power there is a claimed 2.5 hour burn time and on half power 5.0hours with a claimed 60% of the maximum light output still available.

With the torch back mounted, the rotary switch is a joy to use over the often difficult to reach canister mounted Salvo switch. Whilst not an issue for hip mounted canister torches I much prefer back mounting and have to invert the torch to allow access to the switch. If I incorrectly mount the Salvo I can have problems reaching the switch. Also having the torch inverted means any leakage will definitely affect the electronics.

The Solus has a solid state approach. The on off switch is a magnetic proximity type and doesn’t penetrate the case. No need to worry about damaging the rubber switch cover. Also there is no need to separate the torch to charge the batteries. The old S1000 battery charging base has been replaced with a pair of shrouded pins that plug directly into the base of the canister. The intelligent charger has thermal protection and battery protection built in so no possibility of over cooking the expensive 10ah NiMh battery pack. Just remember a couple of paper backs to wedge the canister and stop it rolling around on the boat when charging.
So in terms of day to day living with the SU1250 I was much happier than I was with the S1000. I don’t have any specific areas of improvement apart from the afore mentioned issue with the use of hex bolts.

PERFORMANCE

The new second generation Solus LED torches claim to be twice as powerful as previous models. The SU 1250 boasts 1250 lumens with a colour temperature of 6000k. This is suggested as being comparable to the output of a 150w halogen or a 35W HID

Impressive stats, but I remember reading similar claims from other LED heads and somehow the actual performance didn’t even come close to making you believe the numbers.

As with the S1000 I carried out the tests with a side by side comparison to the Salvo 21W 9.5AH HID. This is my 2004 example with the updated (whiter) bulb fitted in 2006.

Test 1

I set up the ping pong table at a distance of 10.5m from the torch heads and took photos without flash. As a result low levels of peripheral light were lost. In reality there was more peripheral light with both torches, it just doesn’t show in the pic’s.

Solus 1250 10.5m

Salvo 21W 10.5m

TEST 2

I set up both torches to focus on a point 3m ahead and 1.5m down to get the sort of spot I would normally use to keep torch contact with my buddy during a dive.

Solus 1250 3m out from a height of 1.5m

Salvo 21W HID 3m out from a height of 1.5m

Finally I set up a shot in my pond. The pond is 4.5m across. The torches were on the 500mm deep ledge which is the widest part. I was trying to show the spread of the beam as it left the torch head.

Solus SU 1250 on the right Salvo 21w HID on the left

In terms of actual dives I have carried out four dives in the 40-70m zone and several in the 20 -40m zone.

I found the torch easy to use in all ways but especially the afore mentioned head mounted switching. The power output was much more than adequate I would say it definitly a lot brighter and more focused than the old SU500 but despite the claims made for the output, I didn’t see it as being more powerful than the old SU1000. If it is it’s not noticeably so.

For deep dark dives it was fantastic. I had no issue with signalling power and in terms of illuminating the wreck I found it gave a better field of view that the Salvo. What was lost would be long range emergency signalling power. By which I mean an obvious hot spot at 10M+ distance to signal another diver of a problem. The Solus just wasn’t in the same league as the Salvo in this respect..

This is something we have got used to with the modern HID torches. Back when I had a Custom Divers 50W halogen it never crossed my mind as being an issue. However now it seems to be a prime concern. Surprisingly divers weren’t dropping like flies as a result of this lack of signalling power but times have changed and so has our demands as divers.

The issue of power output comparison don’t really hit home till your diving in good conditions with high levels of ambient light. The Salvo can still punch out a good 5m+ of signalling power but the Solus feels a bit lacking and washed out.

Sadly three attempts to shoot video on a decent wreck met with failure. One dive was the conditions on the day were a tad challenging so I decided not to take in the video and the next conditions were perfect but the video decided to lock its focus on a scratch on the camera housing and pretty much the whole shoot was out of focus. Finally I snatched a couple mins footage on an unknown out of Brighton but I think we missed slack as I had to abandon any video work shortly after getting down to the wreck.

In the end I resorted to Stony Cove to guarantee some footage. This highlighted the good and bad points with the Solus. In the bright conditions the torch looks week but once inside the Stangarth its true performance can be seen.

CONCLUSIONS

It’s a great torch. Its light output is more than I need and it still has enough signalling capability to make it suitable for my sort of wreck diving. If I am more than 3-5m away from my buddy there is something very wrong. I really like the way it lights up the wreck. The softer hot spot makes spidge spotting easier as it doesn’t just obliterate the centre with white light. I tended to use the edge of the Salvo beam to hunt for trinkets as the centre beam was too hot.

I think it takes over from where the S1000 left off but it’s not a step forward in performance to the S1. I am sure had I been comparing the SU1250 with the S500 Id be impressed with the step up. But to take a significant step up from the S1000 I think you need to look at the SU2500.

What the SU1250 is, is a step forward in terms of design. The Goodman’s handle and compact canister and head in a LED torch, with this level of punch, makes it a very desirable piece of kit. So much so, I bought it.

To answer the question why I bought it, Id say because next week I am off cave diving in Mexico. I want to be 150% sure my torch is not going to fail and the solid state nature of the Solus 1250 fills me with confidence. Confidence it’s not going to fail in the arse end of some cave and confidence that I won’t be without a primary torch on this mega expensive multi day dive trip.

My back up lights (Solus single LED and a Barbolite triple) are all LED and this seems to be the norm now. I think the market for the Solus LED primary torches is for people who specifically want LED and in divers that have suffered a lot of failures using a HID system. I discussed with Kevin the issue of long range signalling. The present torch has a 7.5 degree beam angle and I am told it is possible to tighten this right down to give the light sabre type effect we see with the Salvo. Kevin feels this is a limited market and the beam angle from the Solus is better suited to a wider audience. Personally I disagree and I think if he at least offered a torch with a tighter beam angle it would increase sales.

The cost of the Solus units can not be ignored. At $1755 from Golum gear its $555 more expensive than the equivalent Salvo 4.5ah 21W salvo and $355 more than the six hour burn time 9ah Li-iron Salvo. You pay quite a premium for the ruggedness of the LED head and I can only assume the manufacturing costs are significantly higher. Again I am sure if the pricing were on par it would be a straight choice between the Signalling power of the Salvo HID and the bullet proof nature of the solid state LED Solus

For now it will remain the choice of the dedicated LED crowd and I for one am very pleased that I have an LED torch when I get into this new cave diving lark.

ATB

Mark Chase

Solus 1000 test:

Solus 1000W LED Torch on test - Rebreather World

SSP Web site

SOLUS Submersible Products - Home Page

Golem site for costing

Golem Gear, Inc. - Lights

NOTE: I have edited the information on the good mans handle as I have been told it an optional extra. I am also informed that in the US market the torch is sold with a 100% and 50% power setting which is the example I tested. For the EU Market the torch is sold with a 100% and a 25% setting that offers 10 hours burn time on the low setting.

TobyFish · February 5th, 2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Finally I set up a shot in my pond. The pond is 4.5m across. The torches were on the 500m deep ledge which is the widest part. I was trying to show the spread of the beam as it left the torch head.

just how deep is your pond?

Mark Chase · February 5th, 2008, 07:05 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by TobyFish)

just how deep is your pond?

Its how I justifie the ownership of my CCR

I need it to clean the pond filter :D

Error corrected :D

ATB

Mark

Devon Rob · February 5th, 2008, 08:15 PM

I wont be rushing out to buy one soon but, thanks for taking the time & my compliments on your very thourough report. ATB
Rob

__vader · February 5th, 2008, 09:04 PM

Above water tests, you just gotta love them...
I don't think you can compare light beams etc above water, unless you are thinking about using it for a night lamp reading on DIR Explorers

SubAquatic · February 5th, 2008, 09:36 PM

I dont know about that Vader, even the above tests prove that as far as signalling goes (and therefore for DIR use) the Solus is useless.
But, like you said, perfect for the casual internet dive or two.

Roel · February 5th, 2008, 09:36 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by __vader)

Above water tests, you just gotta love them...
I don't think you can compare light beams etc above water, unless you are thinking about using it for a night lamp reading on DIR Explorers

What I see is a much better focus of the Salvo.
These is even clear to see above water

I fully agree in water tests are much better, but taking pictures of light bundles under water is 'not the easiest thing to do' so I can understand this alternative.
Ultimate test is still under water and see it YOURSELVE...

Nice report but I like my EKKP reflector still beter

__vader · February 5th, 2008, 10:22 PM

Hi,

Quote: (Originally Posted by Roel)

Ultimate test is still under water and see it YOURSELVE...

Spot on

Quote: (Originally Posted by Roel)

Nice report but I like my EKKP reflector still beter

True, the EKPP reflector kicks ass.

Mark Chase · February 6th, 2008, 09:42 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by __vader)

Above water tests, you just gotta love them...
I don't think you can compare light beams etc above water, unless you are thinking about using it for a night lamp reading on DIR Explorers

Did the in water video not come out for you?

The tests were carried out in the water and on land. Simila results were recorded. The Solus defuses quicker and had a reduced max signaling range but gives a better spread of light in the 0-5m range.

In the water the beam tightens up because of the way water and light react. You can see this in the pond shot. However the same is true for the Salvo so it still punches out further.

In terms of usable light I prefer the Solus for the sort of diving i do (wreck) but if the primary usage of the torch is signaling then the Salvo is the clear winner in well lit situations. If its dark then either torch Will suffice for signaling unless your buddy is 10m+ away. Then the Salvo has it.

Having owned a Salvo since they were first launched in the UK I am a big fan. However, once the novelty of playing Darth Vader has worn off you do have to ask if a pencil light is best suited to the sort of diving you do.

I don't know about caves, but I am in Mexico next week so i hope to get some footage in caves then for comparison. The other two divers will be on 21W Salvos and ill be on the Solus so we can compare notes.

If the Salvo is obviously better Ill say so. I have no restriction on the kit I use and will always try to use the best kit for the job. However if the Solus is close or only slightly worse, Ill stick with it for the sake of its reliabuility.

ATB

Mark

Rob Andrews · February 6th, 2008, 01:08 PM

Mark

Great review, thanks for that.

One quick question, you say that the solus has a better spread in the 0-5m range but could you take a pic in your pond, or maybe on a dive with the salvo reflector adjusted slightly so it spreads the light a bit more. It doesn't seem fair to say the salvo doesn't spread the beam as well as the solus when you have it specifically setup to not spread the beam.

Cheers
Rob

February 5th, 2008, 05:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mark Chase(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent England Posts: 905	Solus SU-1250 LED torch test Not specificly DIR but some might be interested for comparison if nothing else. ATB Mark Last September Kevin from SSP contacted me and asked me to have a go with a second generation SU 1250 LED main torch and pass on my thoughts. I jumped at the chance and soon the lovely new SU1250 landed on my door mat. Before I start with my review a quick reminder that I don’t work for Solus and I am in no way sponsored by them. My current torch is a 9amp 21W Salvo HID and I have a 10W Halcyon Proteus 3 that I use as a spare. Previously I have owned a Greenforce and Custom Divers Halogen units and I have used the Greenforce TriStar LED Fi-May and Metlesub torches on occasion. I just love doing stuff like kit testing and I do it without allegiance to any one. I try my best to avoid bias but no doubt personal prejudice creeps in. SOLUS SU 1250 ON TEST DESIGN I tested the Solus 1000 last year and I liked it. Yes, it was mega bright and gave off a very white light, which seems to be the must have for today’s dive torches, but that wasn’t it. I liked it most because it felt unbreakable and that means a lot to me. But I didn’t like it enough to actually buy one. It had a few bits that put me off. The size, the weight the lack of a decent Goodman’s handle. In fact when people asked me, I recommended the less powerful but more compact S500. It would definitly have been my first choice. Now the second generation SU1250 torch is available and it replaces the S500 and arguably also replaces the S1000. SOLUS SU-1250 beside the SALVO 21wHID At first glance the SU1250 is a vast improvement on the old S1000. The canister is now much smaller and at 3.3Kg dry weight and 1.8kg wet weight, it’s significantly lighter too. Mounting is via a snug fitting and well made pouch that has plastic mini D rings for bolt snaps and it has a webbing loop for cam band or waste belt mounting. I back mounted my one on a cam band. I found no problems in use in the dozen or so dives I have done so far. The significant change is the introduction of a top quality Goodman’s handle that works and is a dammed site prettier than the old S1000 effort. Goodman’s handles an optional 50 euro extra (£38 $76). This is to reduce the overall cost to those who dont require one. Adjustment of the handle its self is via two hex key (Alan Key) pan head bolts. Whilst this screams quality Id prefer simple slotted screw for use in the field as the edge of a knife is always available and an Alan key isn’t. That said they have thought to make the hex slot the right size to fit a key on a standard scuba tool. That is a very smart move and it at least means someone on the boat is likely to have one. Little ridges on the torch body meant it was easy for me to secure my dive knife on the back of the torch. I had to glue a Velcro pad on my Salvo to stop the knife slipping off but no such problems on the Solus As before the Solus has a head mounted rotary switch offering full power and half power settings. On full power there is a claimed 2.5 hour burn time and on half power 5.0hours with a claimed 60% of the maximum light output still available. With the torch back mounted, the rotary switch is a joy to use over the often difficult to reach canister mounted Salvo switch. Whilst not an issue for hip mounted canister torches I much prefer back mounting and have to invert the torch to allow access to the switch. If I incorrectly mount the Salvo I can have problems reaching the switch. Also having the torch inverted means any leakage will definitely affect the electronics. The Solus has a solid state approach. The on off switch is a magnetic proximity type and doesn’t penetrate the case. No need to worry about damaging the rubber switch cover. Also there is no need to separate the torch to charge the batteries. The old S1000 battery charging base has been replaced with a pair of shrouded pins that plug directly into the base of the canister. The intelligent charger has thermal protection and battery protection built in so no possibility of over cooking the expensive 10ah NiMh battery pack. Just remember a couple of paper backs to wedge the canister and stop it rolling around on the boat when charging. So in terms of day to day living with the SU1250 I was much happier than I was with the S1000. I don’t have any specific areas of improvement apart from the afore mentioned issue with the use of hex bolts. PERFORMANCE The new second generation Solus LED torches claim to be twice as powerful as previous models. The SU 1250 boasts 1250 lumens with a colour temperature of 6000k. This is suggested as being comparable to the output of a 150w halogen or a 35W HID Impressive stats, but I remember reading similar claims from other LED heads and somehow the actual performance didn’t even come close to making you believe the numbers. As with the S1000 I carried out the tests with a side by side comparison to the Salvo 21W 9.5AH HID. This is my 2004 example with the updated (whiter) bulb fitted in 2006. Test 1 I set up the ping pong table at a distance of 10.5m from the torch heads and took photos without flash. As a result low levels of peripheral light were lost. In reality there was more peripheral light with both torches, it just doesn’t show in the pic’s. Solus 1250 10.5m Salvo 21W 10.5m TEST 2 I set up both torches to focus on a point 3m ahead and 1.5m down to get the sort of spot I would normally use to keep torch contact with my buddy during a dive. Solus 1250 3m out from a height of 1.5m Salvo 21W HID 3m out from a height of 1.5m Finally I set up a shot in my pond. The pond is 4.5m across. The torches were on the 500mm deep ledge which is the widest part. I was trying to show the spread of the beam as it left the torch head. Solus SU 1250 on the right Salvo 21w HID on the left In terms of actual dives I have carried out four dives in the 40-70m zone and several in the 20 -40m zone. I found the torch easy to use in all ways but especially the afore mentioned head mounted switching. The power output was much more than adequate I would say it definitly a lot brighter and more focused than the old SU500 but despite the claims made for the output, I didn’t see it as being more powerful than the old SU1000. If it is it’s not noticeably so. For deep dark dives it was fantastic. I had no issue with signalling power and in terms of illuminating the wreck I found it gave a better field of view that the Salvo. What was lost would be long range emergency signalling power. By which I mean an obvious hot spot at 10M+ distance to signal another diver of a problem. The Solus just wasn’t in the same league as the Salvo in this respect.. This is something we have got used to with the modern HID torches. Back when I had a Custom Divers 50W halogen it never crossed my mind as being an issue. However now it seems to be a prime concern. Surprisingly divers weren’t dropping like flies as a result of this lack of signalling power but times have changed and so has our demands as divers. The issue of power output comparison don’t really hit home till your diving in good conditions with high levels of ambient light. The Salvo can still punch out a good 5m+ of signalling power but the Solus feels a bit lacking and washed out. Sadly three attempts to shoot video on a decent wreck met with failure. One dive was the conditions on the day were a tad challenging so I decided not to take in the video and the next conditions were perfect but the video decided to lock its focus on a scratch on the camera housing and pretty much the whole shoot was out of focus. Finally I snatched a couple mins footage on an unknown out of Brighton but I think we missed slack as I had to abandon any video work shortly after getting down to the wreck. In the end I resorted to Stony Cove to guarantee some footage. This highlighted the good and bad points with the Solus. In the bright conditions the torch looks week but once inside the Stangarth its true performance can be seen. CONCLUSIONS It’s a great torch. Its light output is more than I need and it still has enough signalling capability to make it suitable for my sort of wreck diving. If I am more than 3-5m away from my buddy there is something very wrong. I really like the way it lights up the wreck. The softer hot spot makes spidge spotting easier as it doesn’t just obliterate the centre with white light. I tended to use the edge of the Salvo beam to hunt for trinkets as the centre beam was too hot. I think it takes over from where the S1000 left off but it’s not a step forward in performance to the S1. I am sure had I been comparing the SU1250 with the S500 Id be impressed with the step up. But to take a significant step up from the S1000 I think you need to look at the SU2500. What the SU1250 is, is a step forward in terms of design. The Goodman’s handle and compact canister and head in a LED torch, with this level of punch, makes it a very desirable piece of kit. So much so, I bought it. To answer the question why I bought it, Id say because next week I am off cave diving in Mexico. I want to be 150% sure my torch is not going to fail and the solid state nature of the Solus 1250 fills me with confidence. Confidence it’s not going to fail in the arse end of some cave and confidence that I won’t be without a primary torch on this mega expensive multi day dive trip. My back up lights (Solus single LED and a Barbolite triple) are all LED and this seems to be the norm now. I think the market for the Solus LED primary torches is for people who specifically want LED and in divers that have suffered a lot of failures using a HID system. I discussed with Kevin the issue of long range signalling. The present torch has a 7.5 degree beam angle and I am told it is possible to tighten this right down to give the light sabre type effect we see with the Salvo. Kevin feels this is a limited market and the beam angle from the Solus is better suited to a wider audience. Personally I disagree and I think if he at least offered a torch with a tighter beam angle it would increase sales. The cost of the Solus units can not be ignored. At $1755 from Golum gear its $555 more expensive than the equivalent Salvo 4.5ah 21W salvo and $355 more than the six hour burn time 9ah Li-iron Salvo. You pay quite a premium for the ruggedness of the LED head and I can only assume the manufacturing costs are significantly higher. Again I am sure if the pricing were on par it would be a straight choice between the Signalling power of the Salvo HID and the bullet proof nature of the solid state LED Solus For now it will remain the choice of the dedicated LED crowd and I for one am very pleased that I have an LED torch when I get into this new cave diving lark. ATB Mark Chase Solus 1000 test: Solus 1000W LED Torch on test - Rebreather World SSP Web site SOLUS Submersible Products - Home Page Golem site for costing Golem Gear, Inc. - Lights NOTE: I have edited the information on the good mans handle as I have been told it an optional extra. I am also informed that in the US market the torch is sold with a 100% and 50% power setting which is the example I tested. For the EU Market the torch is sold with a 100% and a 25% setting that offers 10 hours burn time on the low setting. __________________ The only DIR Inspiration diver in the village Last edited by Mark Chase; February 7th, 2008 at 05:37 AM.

February 5th, 2008, 05:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
TobyFish(Offline) Fine Upstanding Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Telford, UK Posts: 799	Quote: Finally I set up a shot in my pond. The pond is 4.5m across. The torches were on the 500m deep ledge which is the widest part. I was trying to show the spread of the beam as it left the torch head. just how deep is your pond? __________________ Rude-boy Volvo "Gangsta Rollin' in me nine-six-oh"

February 5th, 2008, 07:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mark Chase(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent England Posts: 905	Quote: (Originally Posted by TobyFish) just how deep is your pond? Its how I justifie the ownership of my CCR I need it to clean the pond filter :D Error corrected :D ATB Mark __________________ The only DIR Inspiration diver in the village

February 5th, 2008, 08:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Devon Rob(Offline) Can´t remember-member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lyme Bay.Devon.UK formerly Hamburg, Ger. Posts: 316	I wont be rushing out to buy one soon but, thanks for taking the time & my compliments on your very thourough report. ATB Rob __________________ this mail was checked for viruses,worms & bad breath

February 5th, 2008, 09:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
__vader(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 87	Above water tests, you just gotta love them... I don't think you can compare light beams etc above water, unless you are thinking about using it for a night lamp reading on DIR Explorers __________________ All the best Ilhan Vardar "Vi gør det på den Norske metode - Jonas Lüttichau"

February 5th, 2008, 09:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
SubAquatic(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Perth Posts: 110	I dont know about that Vader, even the above tests prove that as far as signalling goes (and therefore for DIR use) the Solus is useless. But, like you said, perfect for the casual internet dive or two. __________________ www.subaquatic.com.au Australia's Finest Dive Gear

February 5th, 2008, 09:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
Roel(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 374	Quote: (Originally Posted by __vader) Above water tests, you just gotta love them... I don't think you can compare light beams etc above water, unless you are thinking about using it for a night lamp reading on DIR Explorers What I see is a much better focus of the Salvo. These is even clear to see above water I fully agree in water tests are much better, but taking pictures of light bundles under water is 'not the easiest thing to do' so I can understand this alternative. Ultimate test is still under water and see it YOURSELVE... Nice report but I like my EKKP reflector still beter

February 5th, 2008, 10:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
__vader(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 87	Hi, Quote: (Originally Posted by Roel) Ultimate test is still under water and see it YOURSELVE... Spot on Quote: (Originally Posted by Roel) Nice report but I like my EKKP reflector still beter True, the EKPP reflector kicks ass. __________________ All the best Ilhan Vardar "Vi gør det på den Norske metode - Jonas Lüttichau"

February 6th, 2008, 09:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
Mark Chase(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent England Posts: 905	Quote: (Originally Posted by __vader) Above water tests, you just gotta love them... I don't think you can compare light beams etc above water, unless you are thinking about using it for a night lamp reading on DIR Explorers Did the in water video not come out for you? The tests were carried out in the water and on land. Simila results were recorded. The Solus defuses quicker and had a reduced max signaling range but gives a better spread of light in the 0-5m range. In the water the beam tightens up because of the way water and light react. You can see this in the pond shot. However the same is true for the Salvo so it still punches out further. In terms of usable light I prefer the Solus for the sort of diving i do (wreck) but if the primary usage of the torch is signaling then the Salvo is the clear winner in well lit situations. If its dark then either torch Will suffice for signaling unless your buddy is 10m+ away. Then the Salvo has it. Having owned a Salvo since they were first launched in the UK I am a big fan. However, once the novelty of playing Darth Vader has worn off you do have to ask if a pencil light is best suited to the sort of diving you do. I don't know about caves, but I am in Mexico next week so i hope to get some footage in caves then for comparison. The other two divers will be on 21W Salvos and ill be on the Solus so we can compare notes. If the Salvo is obviously better Ill say so. I have no restriction on the kit I use and will always try to use the best kit for the job. However if the Solus is close or only slightly worse, Ill stick with it for the sake of its reliabuility. ATB Mark __________________ The only DIR Inspiration diver in the village

February 6th, 2008, 01:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rob Andrews(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wombourne, West Mids, UK Posts: 133	Mark Great review, thanks for that. One quick question, you say that the solus has a better spread in the 0-5m range but could you take a pic in your pond, or maybe on a dive with the salvo reflector adjusted slightly so it spreads the light a bit more. It doesn't seem fair to say the salvo doesn't spread the beam as well as the solus when you have it specifically setup to not spread the beam. Cheers Rob __________________ Rob