Suunto Torches

I've just been looking at torches, and noticed a Suunto one (the Finn Light
209 / F209) which seems to be very good, but can't find much information
about it. There's nothing in the group archive, and searching the web
doesn't give anything useful either - and theres nothing on the Suunto
website!
There is however a review of its predecessor (the 208) on divernet, and its
for sale from Simply Scuba for £219.95.
I had started looking at the UK DR4 torch, but decided that i'd maybe go for
something with a bit more power, and particularly the external charging
connections appealed to me, which got me down to FaMi, Kowalski, this
Suunto, and a couple more expensive ones. I also thought they'd be useful
if they can be used occasionally out of water without melting into a little
ball of plastic, which most of these expensive ones seem to be capable of
doing. I was tempted by the Kowalski, and still am (just the cheapest one,
the 620 or 620-speed), but then seeing this Suunto is cheaper than the
620-Speed, and seems in some ways to be a bit better than the Kowalski, i'm
not sure.. Of course i've never seen the Suunto underwater (but then, i've
only seen a more powerful Kowalski too, not sure which one though), and I
suppose it doesn't have a long reputation like Kowalski seems to have, but
it looks OK.
Than again, £220 is more than I want to pay for any torch, but I was hoping
it may be a bit cheaper at the dive show (i'm not in any real hurry). Then
again, without much competition of shops selling it the Suunto may not fall
in price like the Kowalski's should do??? Or should I just get a £20 torch
and be done with it?
I was looking at HID torches too, but I don't think the sort of diving I do
would really need anything quite that powerful (or expensive). £100 just for
a bulb is silly! But then I have seen one of those underwater and the light
from them is fantastic!

Anyone used / seen one? Anyone have any more information about them?

Thanks muchly! :o)

David

David,

I was doing the same as you a few months ago and ended up looking at the
Greenforce and Omersub torches.

Decided on the Stardust 50 for £180. 50 Watt, 5hour to charge and 50ish
Minute charge. Seems to do everything I need and the light is very bright.
Took it on night dive in Red Sea and ended up turing it off as it looked
like during the day!

Few people in club have the Greenforce Arrow 6. Very flexible and this torch
can grow with you. Quite cheap as well at £140ish on line at Divers
Warehouse for basic torch.

Hope that helps!

Bari Pollard
www.amsac.org.uk



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