UK AQUASUN Eled TORCH>>>> Diving equipment is evolving at an ever increasing speed, generally>> pushed on by advances in technical diving. Dive torches are no>> exception, on dive boats now it¹s not uncommon to see only umbilical>> style torches in use. Materials used have changed from plastics to>> aluminium and derlin and power outputs have gone off the chart, making>> good use of improved battery technology. Bulbs have also changed,>> should the discerning diver go HID or LED??? That debate will burn for>> some time (pun intended) but my opinion is the LED is the better path>> to follow. One thing is certain though as the dive torch has evolved>> the price has gone up up up. The Underwater kinetics (UK) UK D4R, which>> has been a firm favourite with sport divers is still available but for>> those divers wishing a bit more candle power in their dive bag>> underwater Kinetics have produced the Aquasun eLED. I had the chance to>> test this torch just after I completed using the Halcyon Explorer 21w.>> This is how I got on->>>> First impressions- well this torch is Bright YELLOW, this is said to be>> for safety reasons? but you can also get it in black. It¹s slightly>> smaller than the UK D4 and it has a strange atta
chment at its front>> end. I found out that this was a heat sink. This device is stated to>> provide a 100% increase in light efficiency by using water to cool the>> two high intensity LED's via the heat sink. So when used in water this>> torch burns twice as bright as it does in air. Electronics ensure that>> the LED's do not overheat when used in air. So in relation to the light>> output it¹s great, producing a whopping 825 lumens of light. The light>> given by this torch is very even and bright. The reflector merges the>> light from the two led¹s into single powerful beam. There is no hotspot>> and halo, the Aquasun produces a nice cone of even powerful light. I>> would say the beam angle of this light is just right not being too>> wide, which can cause problems with flare in bad vis. This light won¹t>> penetrate as far as the Halcyon torch with its beam focused tight but>> hey the Aquasun is £1000 cheaper. So as for beam angel and light output>> I think the Aquasun has got it just right. I was really impressed with>> the light output whether I was on a scenic reef or a deep dark wreck>> this torch received top marks.>>>> The Battery>>>> This is where I was slightly less impressed with this torch. Underwater>> kinetics has stuck to tried and tested methods that have been>> successful for them in the past. As stated earlier things have changed>> and divers no longer want to wait 10-12 hours for their battery to>> charge. Also with the Aquasun you still have to remove the whole head>> unit to get the battery out of the case to charge it. In my previous>> experience of using Underwater kinetics torches I have experienced>> floods when I have not screwed the head back on properly. I prefer>> torches that enable the charger to plug straight in.>>>> On the plus side though the Aquasun lasts for 2 hours at its high power>> setting, without the need for recharging. This will see the diver>> through 2 good dives. This I liked as some torches of similar price>> will only last for 1 hour.>>>> A point to note is that the battery type I tested was NiCad. I am>> informed that the battery type will be upgraded shortly to use>> nickel-metal hydride. (NiMH) these are more environmentally frie
ndly>> battery packs which should increase burn time. Another advantage of>> this type of battery is that they do not develop a memory.>>>> Construction>>>> Once again Underwater kinetics have stuck with the tried and tested>> using ABS polycarbonate as the housing for this torch. Initially I>> thought this was a bit cheap but on reflection it doesn¹t corrode. So>> the threads, o ring groves and components should not degrade with use>> in salt water.>>>> One thing I did note whilst using this torch is that the head lens unit>> is heavier than the other end of the torch. This meant that whenever I>> tried to retrieve the torch after taking a picture or letting go of the>> torch, I found the torch positioned itself lens down. For this reason I>> found the pistol grip irritating to use. I had much more joy with the>> Lantern handle. Both types of handle are supplied with the torch along>> with a lanyard. Using the torch underwater I found no problems with>> buoyancy as the unit is slightly negatively buoyant. The on off switch>> is the same as on earlier models and switches the torch between full>> power and half power.>>>> This torch is rated to 150 metres>>>> Underwater kinetics Provide a 10 year warranty on the torch body and>> the torch bezel all underpinned by Sea and Sea limited lifetime>> guarantee which the company are proud of.>>>> in conclusion>>>> This is a very good torch with a great light output. Underwater>> kinetics have kept to their tried and tested methods utilised for over>> 35 years. Whether that¹s enough for today¹s demanding divers, we will>> see but on the plus side retailing at £288 it¹s reasonably priced for a>> torch that delivers a very powerful and nicely balanced light, which is>> what a good torch is all about. I found the Aquasun to be a great>> all-rounder whether diving scenic reefs or dark deep wrecks the torch>> suited my needs very well. All backed up by Sea and Sea limited>> warranty. I don¹t think you can get a torch that delivers so much for>> the price.>>>>>>>> Mike Clark>>>>
chment at its front>> end. I found out that this was a heat sink. This device is stated to>> provide a 100% increase in light efficiency by using water to cool the>> two high intensity LED's via the heat sink. So when used in water this>> torch burns twice as bright as it does in air. Electronics ensure that>> the LED's do not overheat when used in air. So in relation to the light>> output it¹s great, producing a whopping 825 lumens of light. The light>> given by this torch is very even and bright. The reflector merges the>> light from the two led¹s into single powerful beam. There is no hotspot>> and halo, the Aquasun produces a nice cone of even powerful light. I>> would say the beam angle of this light is just right not being too>> wide, which can cause problems with flare in bad vis. This light won¹t>> penetrate as far as the Halcyon torch with its beam focused tight but>> hey the Aquasun is £1000 cheaper. So as for beam angel and light output>> I think the Aquasun has got it just right. I was really impressed with>> the light output whether I was on a scenic reef or a deep dark wreck>> this torch received top marks.>>>> The Battery>>>> This is where I was slightly less impressed with this torch. Underwater>> kinetics has stuck to tried and tested methods that have been>> successful for them in the past. As stated earlier things have changed>> and divers no longer want to wait 10-12 hours for their battery to>> charge. Also with the Aquasun you still have to remove the whole head>> unit to get the battery out of the case to charge it. In my previous>> experience of using Underwater kinetics torches I have experienced>> floods when I have not screwed the head back on properly. I prefer>> torches that enable the charger to plug straight in.>>>> On the plus side though the Aquasun lasts for 2 hours at its high power>> setting, without the need for recharging. This will see the diver>> through 2 good dives. This I liked as some torches of similar price>> will only last for 1 hour.>>>> A point to note is that the battery type I tested was NiCad. I am>> informed that the battery type will be upgraded shortly to use>> nickel-metal hydride. (NiMH) these are more environmentally frie
ndly>> battery packs which should increase burn time. Another advantage of>> this type of battery is that they do not develop a memory.>>>> Construction>>>> Once again Underwater kinetics have stuck with the tried and tested>> using ABS polycarbonate as the housing for this torch. Initially I>> thought this was a bit cheap but on reflection it doesn¹t corrode. So>> the threads, o ring groves and components should not degrade with use>> in salt water.>>>> One thing I did note whilst using this torch is that the head lens unit>> is heavier than the other end of the torch. This meant that whenever I>> tried to retrieve the torch after taking a picture or letting go of the>> torch, I found the torch positioned itself lens down. For this reason I>> found the pistol grip irritating to use. I had much more joy with the>> Lantern handle. Both types of handle are supplied with the torch along>> with a lanyard. Using the torch underwater I found no problems with>> buoyancy as the unit is slightly negatively buoyant. The on off switch>> is the same as on earlier models and switches the torch between full>> power and half power.>>>> This torch is rated to 150 metres>>>> Underwater kinetics Provide a 10 year warranty on the torch body and>> the torch bezel all underpinned by Sea and Sea limited lifetime>> guarantee which the company are proud of.>>>> in conclusion>>>> This is a very good torch with a great light output. Underwater>> kinetics have kept to their tried and tested methods utilised for over>> 35 years. Whether that¹s enough for today¹s demanding divers, we will>> see but on the plus side retailing at £288 it¹s reasonably priced for a>> torch that delivers a very powerful and nicely balanced light, which is>> what a good torch is all about. I found the Aquasun to be a great>> all-rounder whether diving scenic reefs or dark deep wrecks the torch>> suited my needs very well. All backed up by Sea and Sea limited>> warranty. I don¹t think you can get a torch that delivers so much for>> the price.>>>>>>>> Mike Clark>>>>
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