Halcyon Proteus and Helios Lights - Pros and Cons?

[reubencahn]

I upgraded from a Dive-Rite 10W MR11 to a Helios 13.5 18W.

The light is amazing. The beam is a true steel cutter. The can is about the same size as my old light, but I have 6 hours of burn time, which means that I can make several long dives per day without switching out the battery or charging it.

Quite a few of my buddies use the Helios 9's or 13.5's. We've had very good luck with them.

What did you think of the MR11? I'm considering getting one with the NiMH cell? I'm having a hard time justifying the cost the Helios and I'll have an even harder time explaining it to my wife.

 

[Northeastwrecks]

What did you think of the MR11? I'm considering getting one with the NiMH cell? I'm having a hard time justifying the cost the Helios and I'll have an even harder time explaining it to my wife.

Its a good entry level light and is a perfectly adequate for many applications. However, the fact that it isn't focusable became problematic since it impacted my ability to communicate with my buddies and tended to wash out due to backscatter.

I bought the NiMH battery and enjoyed it.

 

[reubencahn]

Its a good entry level light and is a perfectly adequate for many applications. However, the fact that it isn't focusable became problematic since it impacted my ability to communicate with my buddies and tended to wash out due to backscatter.

I bought the NiMH battery and enjoyed it.

I was thinking about the focusable 10w, which I guess isn't the MR11. Did you have any issues with the brightness?

 

[grouchyturtle]

H10 is the focusable head

 

[reubencahn]

H10 is the focusable head

That's what I meant. Any views on this light in comparison to the Helios?

 

[grouchyturtle]

I've heard the construction is better than the Halcyon 10 watt heads. Haven't used it myself though.