Salvo 21W 13.5 Ah NiMH Torch

***Decodiver*** · 23rd June 2005, 09:41

From one Rebreather World Supporter to another what great service I got from DivingNikNaks.

I spoke to Phill there on Tuesday, confirmed my order yesterday and I received my torch this morning from UPS, looks like a tremendous piece of kit.

Thanks to Phill and all at DivingNikNaks for getting this to me so quickly.

Cheers and all the best,

Dave Cooper.

Robert Cook · 24th June 2005, 02:07

Dave, could you please put up a review once you've dived with it - I'm still looking about for a torch, and this could be the one,

Thanks,
Robert

Bubble Boy · 24th June 2005, 02:37

Robert,

Go and ask Jason @ D3 for a quote on a GF Flexi 3 with Impact lighthead! Better for caving and longer burn time mate.

***EBT*** · 24th June 2005, 09:55

I've got (and dont ask why)

Custom divers ST1/10w HID. (2002 Purchase)

Dive Rite nimh/10w HID (2004 Purchase)

Halcyon original style Pro4/10w HID (2001 Purchase)

Salvo 21w/13.5Ah HID (newly acquired)

So.. pros and cons.... and no... Im not biased... these are my personal opinions and others may have different experiences.

Custom Divers.

+ VERY secure lid fitting that is just not gonna leak (barrel & face seal)
+ Customer service is excellent (can't emphasise this enough)
+ Bullet proof construction
+ Solid/reliable fast charger

- Worlds wankiest goodman handle
- Non focusable beam
- Lid fitting can be fiddly sometimes
- screw in lid means the power cord gets twisted.
- heavy battery pack (even in water... personal preference issue)

http://www.customdivers.com

Halcyon 10w

+ Cheap batteries to replace
+ focusable light head
+ excellent goodman handle
+ Good charger performance
+ good battery/lid connector

- APPALLING customer service
- just a tad too leak prone (old style latches, now ships with lockable latches)
- Was pricey, now reducing

Note; New style 10w HID has its own raft of pros/cons.

http://www.halcyon.net

Dive Rite nimh/10w

+ simple and VERY compact/light
+ Excellent charger performance

- non focusable light head

The Goodman handle I have is the elastic one... the juries out... so far it seems ok.

Customer service seems ok, mine went back for some checks under warranty and came back within 2 weeks.

http://www.dive-rite.com

Salvo 21w/13.5

(just bought, hasnt been wet, but I've seen them in water)

[Update, has now done a fair bit of in water time, including some nice caving]

+ value for money
+ VERY robust bulb (it got thoroughly squished on the entry to truffe)
+ Good construction (throughout)
+ customer service (so far)

- Still seems to suffer from a not quite perfect charger, you need to plug and unplug it when it claims to be completed.

http://www.divingniknaks.com (UK only, speak to phill.... say hi from Zak!)
http://www.salvodiving.com (US etc)

I've also used a Halycon 18w... Im afraid that thing suffers from fragile bulbs!

One day, I live in the hope that Kowalski will get their act together and sort out that thing they call an umbilical

The other make I've tried out is Sartek, from two dives... my comments;

+ Seems to be well constructed
+ Focusable lighthead
+ well constructed/thought out battery pack/fittings

- Goodman handle didnt work for me.

No one can say "brand x is ideal", since it will depend on your environment/requirements. Having said that, I'd recommend either Salvo or CD in the UK. You need to consider also how much you want to travel with your glorified candle....

One major point, backscatter from powerful lights in UK sea diving can be a significant issue. We found that when diving this past nov in florida caves, the water turbidity was such that a 10w performed better than an 18w.

/Zak

PS. If I've upset anyone, sorry.... Im just relaying my experiences.
PPS. The face seal used in Salvo/Halcyon was originally to allow the SLA's to offgas hydrogen without popping a light can. Im not sure its needed nowadays, with nimh... must check!

Jamie B · 24th June 2005, 10:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by Robert Cook)

Dave, could you please put up a review once you've dived with it - I'm still looking about for a torch, and this could be the one,

Thanks,
Robert

I ordered a 21W 4.5amp on Monday, arrived by UPS this morning.

Thanks Phil.

Happy to do a review once i've dived it - this weekend hopefully depending on the weather!!!

divingniknaks · 29th June 2005, 08:48

Just a quick hello and to say thanks for all the nice words.

Zak, great comparison, nice to see someone able to be objective and willing to share the experiences. Nice to see the Salvo comes out well of course

Enjoy life on the "light side" lol.

Cheers all
Phill

Mdemon · 29th June 2005, 09:29

Quote: (Originally Posted by wreckweasel)

PPS. The face seal used in Salvo/Halcyon was originally to allow the SLA's to offgas hydrogen without popping a light can. Im not sure its needed nowadays, with nimh... must check!

I had NiMHs in my torch. If you want to see what can happen when the gas from damp NiMHs is allowed to build up, have a look here...

Underwater bomb...

23rd June 2005, 09:41	#1 (permalink)
*Decodiver* Administrator Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Geneva Posts: 2,197	Salvo 21W 13.5 Ah NiMH Torch From one Rebreather World Supporter to another what great service I got from DivingNikNaks. I spoke to Phill there on Tuesday, confirmed my order yesterday and I received my torch this morning from UPS, looks like a tremendous piece of kit. Thanks to Phill and all at DivingNikNaks for getting this to me so quickly. Cheers and all the best, Dave Cooper. __________________ CCR/OC Trimix Instructor Trainer CCR Training to Mixed Gas in Switzerland, France, UK & Germany on Megalodon/COPIS-Megalodon/KISS/Sport KISS/Ouroboros/rEvo/Inspiration/Evolution/Sentinel www.zerogravitydiving.com Rebreather World Terms & Conditions
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24th June 2005, 02:07	#2 (permalink)
Robert Cook Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 107	Dave, could you please put up a review once you've dived with it - I'm still looking about for a torch, and this could be the one, Thanks, Robert __________________ Do not underestimate the power of the dark side
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24th June 2005, 02:37	#3 (permalink)
Bubble Boy PRISMs are kewl Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz MK 15.X Other CCR Dolphin Ray Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 132	Robert, Go and ask Jason @ D3 for a quote on a GF Flexi 3 with Impact lighthead! Better for caving and longer burn time mate.
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24th June 2005, 09:55	#4 (permalink)
*EBT* Apprentice Luddite Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK, Brighton Posts: 1,997	Update time! I've got (and dont ask why) Custom divers ST1/10w HID. (2002 Purchase) Dive Rite nimh/10w HID (2004 Purchase) Halcyon original style Pro4/10w HID (2001 Purchase) Salvo 21w/13.5Ah HID (newly acquired) So.. pros and cons.... and no... Im not biased... these are my personal opinions and others may have different experiences. Custom Divers. + VERY secure lid fitting that is just not gonna leak (barrel & face seal) + Customer service is excellent (can't emphasise this enough) + Bullet proof construction + Solid/reliable fast charger - Worlds wankiest goodman handle - Non focusable beam - Lid fitting can be fiddly sometimes - screw in lid means the power cord gets twisted. - heavy battery pack (even in water... personal preference issue) http://www.customdivers.com Halcyon 10w + Cheap batteries to replace + focusable light head + excellent goodman handle + Good charger performance + good battery/lid connector - APPALLING customer service - just a tad too leak prone (old style latches, now ships with lockable latches) - Was pricey, now reducing Note; New style 10w HID has its own raft of pros/cons. http://www.halcyon.net Dive Rite nimh/10w + simple and VERY compact/light + Excellent charger performance - non focusable light head The Goodman handle I have is the elastic one... the juries out... so far it seems ok. Customer service seems ok, mine went back for some checks under warranty and came back within 2 weeks. http://www.dive-rite.com Salvo 21w/13.5 (just bought, hasnt been wet, but I've seen them in water) [Update, has now done a fair bit of in water time, including some nice caving] + value for money + VERY robust bulb (it got thoroughly squished on the entry to truffe) + Good construction (throughout) + customer service (so far) - Still seems to suffer from a not quite perfect charger, you need to plug and unplug it when it claims to be completed. http://www.divingniknaks.com (UK only, speak to phill.... say hi from Zak!) http://www.salvodiving.com (US etc) I've also used a Halycon 18w... Im afraid that thing suffers from fragile bulbs! One day, I live in the hope that Kowalski will get their act together and sort out that thing they call an umbilical The other make I've tried out is Sartek, from two dives... my comments; + Seems to be well constructed + Focusable lighthead + well constructed/thought out battery pack/fittings - Goodman handle didnt work for me. No one can say "brand x is ideal", since it will depend on your environment/requirements. Having said that, I'd recommend either Salvo or CD in the UK. You need to consider also how much you want to travel with your glorified candle.... One major point, backscatter from powerful lights in UK sea diving can be a significant issue. We found that when diving this past nov in florida caves, the water turbidity was such that a 10w performed better than an 18w. /Zak PS. If I've upset anyone, sorry.... Im just relaying my experiences. PPS. The face seal used in Salvo/Halcyon was originally to allow the SLA's to offgas hydrogen without popping a light can. Im not sure its needed nowadays, with nimh... must check! __________________ Eagles May Soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines! Rebreather World Terms of service Real diving t-shirts for real divers
(Offline)

24th June 2005, 10:23	#5 (permalink)
Jamie B Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 172	Quote: (Originally Posted by Robert Cook) Dave, could you please put up a review once you've dived with it - I'm still looking about for a torch, and this could be the one, Thanks, Robert I ordered a 21W 4.5amp on Monday, arrived by UPS this morning. Thanks Phil. Happy to do a review once i've dived it - this weekend hopefully depending on the weather!!!
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29th June 2005, 08:48	#6 (permalink)
divingniknaks RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Midlands , UK Posts: 71	Just a quick hello and to say thanks for all the nice words. Zak, great comparison, nice to see someone able to be objective and willing to share the experiences. Nice to see the Salvo comes out well of course Enjoy life on the "light side" lol. Cheers all Phill
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29th June 2005, 09:29	#7 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,931	Quote: (Originally Posted by wreckweasel) PPS. The face seal used in Salvo/Halcyon was originally to allow the SLA's to offgas hydrogen without popping a light can. Im not sure its needed nowadays, with nimh... must check! I had NiMHs in my torch. If you want to see what can happen when the gas from damp NiMHs is allowed to build up, have a look here... Underwater bomb... __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
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