Which One Salvo HID or LED

nigelpa

Hi

I am after a umbilical torch (moving up from lantern). after trailing through the forum I found that Salvo's got a very good name for its self. However I cant decide between the 10watt focusable HID or the new 12watt LED.

I read that the HID bulbs are a bit fragile may be not suited to RIB diving in the channel? Which was why the LED sounded like a good idea? Have these new generation LED heads got good penertration?

Also had an offer of a green force 10watt HID with the focusable head. I dont think the tri star is in the same league as the salvo LED?

Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly received.

Thanks

Nigel

Decodiver

Hi Nigel,

If you're not in a hurry, wait a short while.

Custom Divers are about to release a focusable LED torch.

I used their HIDs for 6 years with no problems, Alex makes things to last and I doubt you will be disappointed if you wait a bit.

Cheers,

Dave Cooper.

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CharlieT

Metalsub do a really good quality LED umbilical.

Metalsub are sold by Amphibian. Ring James on 0208 761 2458.

He'll do you a good deal, I'm sure.

I've had a 100w Halogen and now a 50w HID Metalsub so I've been using them for years.

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colinicky

Personally I am in the same situation . I had a Custom Divers 18w hid for about 4 years. As Dave says Alex makes things to last . The new CD LED is due out in September IIRC .Alex told me it will beat a 21wHID Salvo & will have through case charging as well .
Rob Lumb at Greenforce also has a new LED head due in a couple of months again with the same claims .
I tried the metalsub 200Hid yesterday out of Dover & while not in the pencil beam of the Salvo it still has a prominent beam to it with a very usefull halo .I dove with my old CD HID for 3 years from Rhibs & did not take care of it & yet I never broke a bulb ,I think they are more robust than some people make out .
I was at CPS the importer for Metalsub on Wednesday & their 50w Halogen obliterates their LED

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diverklondike

I just switched from a Salvo 21 HID to the 21 LED and am very happy with it. Salvo is currently still selling both of these lights. As far as the 10w's go, they feel the 10w LED way outperforms the 10w HID and I don't think they are planning to continue it.

Best of luck

Mark

netmage

Nigel..., When looking at HID bulbs, it's important to understand the source and their application....

Historically, HID bulbs always had to be treated w/ kid gloves... there was only one source... Welch-Allyn, and they certainly were not made for diving... they were made for static medical applications.... and fairly costly to replace when they broke.

The lights from Salvo, Dive Rite, and I believe Sartek (but don't quote me), all use a bulb/ballast combination from Brightstar... this bulb was designed for a dynamic automative application. Certainly capable of taking a significant amount of abuse.... On the road shows, Barry (Salvo) likes to slam the head against the table like he's driving a nail, then fire it right up....

I personally can't speak to the DR or Sartek.., but 'fragility' is not a word I would associate w/ a 21W Salvo HID...

Rob Dobson

The Salvo 10W HiD is a very good light but AFAIK discountinued. There are plenty around so keep an eye for a 2nd hand one. The 10W worked well with the EKPP reflector head if you wanted to further increase the focus and beam projection.

The Brightstar bulbs are not fragile and you do not have to treat them like new born off spring. I've always treated my Salvo HiDs like crap and I've yet to blow a single bulb.

LED emitters are even tougher than BS HiD bulbs but LED lights can have other issues so don't focus solely on that one component.

Beam wise white light of the fixed focus of the LED vs variable focus on the 10W HiD with it's cooler colour beam temp.... I don't think their would be much in it at all - unless you stuck the EKPP reflector on the 10W in which case that should project further than the LED.

The LED is a nice compact head and the 10W HiD is a lot bigger. Stick an EKPP reflector on there and it's bigger still.

Out of the two... Overall I think I'd be tempted by the LED just because of it's compactness.

At the 21W range I'd still go for the HiD. The new generation compact ballasts and the new colour temp bulbs reduce two of the key advantages that the 12W LED has over the 10W HiD. Combined with the variable focus of the HiD and it suits my diving much better than the 21W LED.

anton610

Hello!

I've bought a Tilly-Tec LED Light, focusable, 4° Beam, 320min Burntime, 100W, compartible with greenforce.

I'm very happy with it. My buddy is having a Halcyon HID 18 and has the sampe power.

You can order it and dive with it and when you dont like it, send it back.

Regards Anton

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nigelpa

Gents

Thank you very much for your replies, most helpfull. Interesting news on the custom diver and green force front. I am sure I can do this season with my current torch. I look forward to seeing the CD and GF soon