Green Force

[Scubapauly]

Just got a new Green Force setup, FII battery and Tristar 3 head and Umbelical. Not sure if this is common knowledge or not yet, but, Green Force have changed the Tristar head slightly. Not had it in the water yet, this weekend diving has been blown out.

This is what I've been told... The LED's are now closer together (They kinda touch in the centre of the head now) and more focused (lens on the front). They now give off a blue light (can see this when shining on a white wall). The LED's are now supposedly upgraded and are slightly brighter. AFAIK Green Force are going to do a re-launch of the torches soon.

If I find anything else out I'll post it.

Hope thats helpful to someone

Scubapauly
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[Scubapauly]

Sorry to double post but I've taken a pic of my Tristar head so you can see the difference, the main one being that the bulbs are much closer. Tried it up against a Tristar 15 head today and the beam was much more focused, almost a single spot compared to the 3 spots from the Tristar 15. We were quite surprised at the dive shop to see that the beam was virtually the same if not brighter than the Tristar 15 too. We've been told that the Tristar 15 is ungoing a similar change.

Old Tristar 3 head

My Tristar 3 head

You can also see the new lens on the front of the head complete with the red o-ring.

 

[liberato]

Do you have any further thoughts on it after underwater use? I am looking at that very model (integrated battery pack, though). I love the design and machining of the Green Force line just haven't found much feedback from actual users (probably because of limited availability in the US).

 

[greg1]

Do you have any further thoughts on it after underwater use? I am looking at that very model (integrated battery pack, though). I love the design and machining of the Green Force line just haven't found much feedback from actual users (probably because of limited availability in the US).

I have an FII battery with several light heads, HID's. I bought it in a LDS in NJ. Manta Industries is the US distributor. www.mantaindustries.com

I LOVE it....Best light I ever owned

 

[liberato]

I am a little confused by the battery modules. Looking at the web page I noticed that the 3 different Flexi battery packs that are imported to the US all have 10 cells but differing Ah. So, they use different size cells? Are these just regular NiMh rechargeables that can individually be removed or is it an integrated battery pack?

The FII seems to be the best balance for size v. capacity for normal diving but it looks like plastic. Does it seem solid? The FIII looks more bullet proof but is probably overkill (but looks better). They don't seem to update the website much and the manuals are a joke.

Edit: Oh, good. I just checked the retailers on the Manta distributor site and I have a local dealer. I will go bug them.

 

[darkstar]

I just bought an FII with a HID50 head. It's a fantastic light and really well built. I will definintely be buying more toys for this and a few of my buddies are making noises about ditching their HIDs for one of these.

The battery pack is an integrated (and sealed) unit. I don't think you can replace the batteries in it, just buy a new pack. The smart charger is great.

Dan the Candyman at DiveTech (www.divetech.ca) carries them.

 

[liberato]

I just bought an FII with a HID50 head. It's a fantastic light and really well built.

So, you were able to compare it underwater to other 10 Watt HIDs of your friends? Is there anything you don't like about it?

 

[liberato]

Green Force have changed the Tristar head slightly.

That is the one I'm holding out for. US distributor only has the old ones:

"All our Tristar light heads have a black lens "O" ring. From the information at GreenForce website I believe that this is the way they are currently manufactured. I do know that GreenForce is actually switching from RED (silicone) to BLACK lenses "O" rings on the HID 10 watt Pro head. They have discovered that the resistance to salt water is about the same. Although there is no warranty on bulbs, the mechanics of the light head are warranted for (3) years. Hope this info is helpful to you. Let us know if you have any further questions."​

It almost sounds like Manta is saying the red O-ring ones are the old ones but that doesn't jibe with what has been presented above by Scubapauly with the UK model. I am now more confused than ever. I wonder if the Canadian distributor has the red O-ring model Tristar (which sounds like it has better LEDs)?

 

[greg1]

I am a little confused by the battery modules. Looking at the web page I noticed that the 3 different Flexi battery packs that are imported to the US all have 10 cells but differing Ah. So, they use different size cells? Are these just regular NiMh rechargeables that can individually be removed or is it an integrated battery pack?

The FII seems to be the best balance for size v. capacity for normal diving but it looks like plastic. Does it seem solid? The FIII looks more bullet proof but is probably overkill (but looks better). They don't seem to update the website much and the manuals are a joke.

Edit: Oh, good. I just checked the retailers on the Manta distributor site and I have a local dealer. I will go bug them.

The FII is a sealed Delrin case, it is solid, very durable. You can't remove the bateries. it is 4.5 ah You can charge it thru the umbilical cord or direct into the battery

 

[darkstar]

So, you were able to compare it underwater to other 10 Watt HIDs of your friends? Is there anything you don't like about it?

It was noticebly brighter than a Terkel 10w. Nothing I don't like about it so far.