vixtor
Contributor
Hello,
Now that I'm a very happy Greenforce Quadristar XPGH+Hybrid 12 owner, I have started to look for a backup light.
My general requirements are:
- compact/thin physical form factor, to be able to wear it on my wing strap
- twist on/off technology, with a long enough thread and eventually 3 o-rings to prevent flooding
- to be able to use AA/C/or even AAA batteries (not rechargeable custom batteries); I hate to take care of rechargeable batteries and remember to charge them when needed
- one led is enough
- excellent build/materials quality
- thermal protection to be able to use it on land.
Naturally, I would love to have a Greenforce backup, but their Hybrid 1/2 don't match my batteries constraint, and the Hybrid 4 would be too bulky I think. Their C2ETO seems to be gone, and I'm also not sure whether the C2ETO head was compatible with the range or not (to replace it if needed in the future in a second hand unit); my guess is not because of lower voltage from 2 C batteries. Because of this, I'm not decided yet whether to accept the Hybrid4 bulkiness, try to live with the Hybrid2 18650 batteries or choose a different manufacturer.
I have considered the following other options:
Hollis LED 3 or even Mini LED 3 - looks nice, but I have read some reviews about floodings over here. If not for those flooding reviews, I would have loved it.
Heser Backup - many positive reviews, but I'm not sure about the bulkiness (as it uses C batteries) and it only has 2 o-rings.
TillyTec MPL - I like the Greenforce heritage, the fact that it uses 3 o-rings and AA batteries. I don't like the fact that the body can be opened in the middle to shorten its total length when using other batteries (as it is another failure point). I'm not sure whether to like or not the fact that it doesn't use electronics as compared to Greenforce, which has electronics to keep the LED power constant. I have read a review stating that the aluminium head chips easily and is also easily scratched, and many other reviews saying it has a great build quality. I like the optional UV head as a nice toy/gadget and the price. Others complained about the fact it consumed the batteries in 1-2 hours instead of the stated specifications, but then again, what could I expect from AA batteries? The head is not dimmable, which would have been nicer when using AA batteries. Overall, it could be the winner, but somehow I don't feel 100% sure about this.
In the past I had a Scubapro Nova for backup. The light was good, the size was excellent (very small), but the on/off button sometimes doesn't work and the aluminium body coroded at the threads.
Any opinion/advice about those options? Maybe some other lights matching my requirements? Somebody else manufacturing compatible bodies for Greenforce heads (or could I use the Greenforce head on the Tillytec MPL body?)
Now that I'm a very happy Greenforce Quadristar XPGH+Hybrid 12 owner, I have started to look for a backup light.
My general requirements are:
- compact/thin physical form factor, to be able to wear it on my wing strap
- twist on/off technology, with a long enough thread and eventually 3 o-rings to prevent flooding
- to be able to use AA/C/or even AAA batteries (not rechargeable custom batteries); I hate to take care of rechargeable batteries and remember to charge them when needed
- one led is enough
- excellent build/materials quality
- thermal protection to be able to use it on land.
Naturally, I would love to have a Greenforce backup, but their Hybrid 1/2 don't match my batteries constraint, and the Hybrid 4 would be too bulky I think. Their C2ETO seems to be gone, and I'm also not sure whether the C2ETO head was compatible with the range or not (to replace it if needed in the future in a second hand unit); my guess is not because of lower voltage from 2 C batteries. Because of this, I'm not decided yet whether to accept the Hybrid4 bulkiness, try to live with the Hybrid2 18650 batteries or choose a different manufacturer.
I have considered the following other options:
Hollis LED 3 or even Mini LED 3 - looks nice, but I have read some reviews about floodings over here. If not for those flooding reviews, I would have loved it.
Heser Backup - many positive reviews, but I'm not sure about the bulkiness (as it uses C batteries) and it only has 2 o-rings.
TillyTec MPL - I like the Greenforce heritage, the fact that it uses 3 o-rings and AA batteries. I don't like the fact that the body can be opened in the middle to shorten its total length when using other batteries (as it is another failure point). I'm not sure whether to like or not the fact that it doesn't use electronics as compared to Greenforce, which has electronics to keep the LED power constant. I have read a review stating that the aluminium head chips easily and is also easily scratched, and many other reviews saying it has a great build quality. I like the optional UV head as a nice toy/gadget and the price. Others complained about the fact it consumed the batteries in 1-2 hours instead of the stated specifications, but then again, what could I expect from AA batteries? The head is not dimmable, which would have been nicer when using AA batteries. Overall, it could be the winner, but somehow I don't feel 100% sure about this.
In the past I had a Scubapro Nova for backup. The light was good, the size was excellent (very small), but the on/off button sometimes doesn't work and the aluminium body coroded at the threads.
Any opinion/advice about those options? Maybe some other lights matching my requirements? Somebody else manufacturing compatible bodies for Greenforce heads (or could I use the Greenforce head on the Tillytec MPL body?)
