View Full Version : Dive torch
snorkel123
08-12-06, 23:00
Hi, Can anyone give me some information on the Darkbuster 21W HID torch? It's in my price range ( max £250 ) seems to look the part but would appreciate the thoughts of you folks first before I buy one.
Thanks Brian
its not the most famous makes among dive lights.
i think you could do better with your intended budget.
most people on this form will no doubt recomend a light cannon.(on budget)
http://www.deepbluedive.com/product.aspx?id=10041
but not me :) i say greenforce. (worth the future investment)
http://www.lumb-bros-das.co.uk/acatalog/Green_Force_Torches.html
a great modular system you can add to when you have the cash.
in fact, the only modular system in the world.
components available on E-Bay on a regular basis around 1/2 price.
http://sports.search.ebay.co.uk/greenforce_SCUBA-Snorkelling_W0QQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoent rypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQfclZ3QQfgtpZQQfposZfk4 1pqQQfromZR2QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQga10 244Z10425QQlopgZQQsacatZ16052QQsadisZ200QQsaprchiZ QQsaprcloZQQsargnZQ2d1QQsaslcZ3QQsbrftogZ1QQsofocu sZbs
well, thats my 2 bobs worth!
snorkel123
08-12-06, 23:35
Thank you Stewart, Will look into what you say
Hi, Can anyone give me some information on the Darkbuster 21W HID torch? It's in my price range ( max £250 ) seems to look the part but would appreciate the thoughts of you folks first before I buy one.
Thanks Brian
have a look here:
http://www.kitfondle.co.uk/bits/index.htm
and here for some chat about it:
http://www.divernet.com/forumvb/showthread.php?t=231
As I said, I was going to go for it but could not find any reviews. So I bought the Beaver Plasma LED torch, which is good. It would take a few more dives and a couple of night dives to see how good, but it looks the part, nice and small, and a nice bright beam too. Here is the review from Diver mag:
http://www.divernet.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?id=5413§ion=1002&action=display&show=
Mr Flibble
09-12-06, 02:44
I've seen the Darkbuster 21watt in action. It is made by Brightstar, one of the 2 companies that make HID bulbs, the other being Welch Allen. The Brightstar HID bulbs are reputed to be the better of the 2. The torch itself is about the size of a lightcanon but is significantly brighter. It uses the same bulb as the hyper expensive salvo umbilicals. The beam is VERY tightly focussed giving a lightsaber effect. My buddy who had borrowed it didn't like this as he felt there was little halo effect so although very bright it didn't illuminate much. On the dive (at Conger Alley) I had a very weak torch and was enjoying observing the life with it, everything came very close, as soon as my buddy shone that thing near me everything scattered. Can a torch be too bright? If you want a big, bright HID lantern then this is by far brighter than a Light Canon. I owned a Light Canon and although most people who own them love them I found it cheaply made and very fragile. I will never buy an ABS torch again, they crack too easily. The Darkbuster is similar in this manner. Also be aware that HID bulbs cost upwards of 70 quid and are limited to the number of switch ons you can do, switch it on and leave it on.
This week I bought a new torch, after much investigation. I wanted an umbilical (non HID due to cost of bulbs and bland light) and was originally going to buy a JMD as they have a great reputation for reliability. In the end I bought a Greenforce F2 battery pack with 35 watt Xenophot Pro Head. It looks extremely well made and uses the KISS principal (Keep It Simple Stupid), no fancy switches to break etc. I get around 70mins burn time with it, new bulbs cost around 2 quid (will buy a spare 50watt spot bulb I think) and the system is modular, you can change the lighthead for LED or HID in the future.
Drop something on Scottish Divers, Budgy has 2 Darkbusters on test from the manufacturer, I'm sure he can let you see them or give you his opinion/advice.
HTH.
You guys know I'm a great fan of the light cannon, had mine a few years now and I've had a few torches and its been the best. I don't like torches with umbilicals cause there are to many failure points. As was mentioned before keep it simple stupid and the cannon is simply the best. That my tupenceworth :D
Rusty Nuts
09-12-06, 22:15
I just got myself the Beaver Black Astro Lamp a wee bit cheaper but looks the part, Its an ideal size and cheap to run.
You should think about this when spending a lot of your hard earned cash bud.
Russell.
Gas Guzzler
10-12-06, 22:04
I've heard a rumour that Claire is getting a second light cannon for Christmas to use as a video light.
If she's not using it I might get to use it if I'm really really careful.
If not I'm stuck with a D8 and a D4
GG
if I'm really really careful.
GG
Given you've already flooded the D4 I'm not too confident.....