Understanding HID Lighting

High Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting technology replaces the filament of the light bulb with a capsule of gas. The light is emitted from an arc discharge between two closely spaced electrodes hermetically sealed inside a small quartz glass tubular envelope capsule. To operate, they require ballasts, which supply proper voltage and control current. The amount of light produced is greater than a standard halogen bulb, while consuming less power, and more closely approximating the color temperature of natural daylight.
In all High Intensity Discharge lamps, light is produced by passing a current through a metal vapor. Free electrons colliding with an atom in the vapor momentarily knock an electron into a higher orbit of the atom. When the displaced electron falls back to its former level, a quantum of radiation is emitted. The wavelength of radiation depends on the energy zone of the disturbed electron and on the type of metal vapor used in the arc tube.
Although it produces five percent of its output when first ignited, the HID light requires a few seconds (usually 15-20) to come up to full output. Also, if power to the lamp is lost or turned off, the arc tube must cool to a given temperature before the arc can be re-struck and light produced. Halcyon HID lights only require a brief (5-10 second) cooling period before they can be re-lit.

Understanding LED Lighting

Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) are light sources utilizing diodes that emit light when connected in a circuit. The effect is a form of electroluminescence where LEDs release a large number of photons outward; the LED is housed in a plastic bulb, which concentrates the light source.
The most important part of an LED is the semi-conductor chip located in the center of the light source. The chip has two regions separated by a junction. The p region is dominated by positive electric charges, and the n region is dominated by negative electric charges. The junction acts as a barrier to the flow of electrons between the p and the n regions. Only when sufficient voltage is applied to the semi-conductor chip can the current flow and the electrons cross the junction into the p region.
When sufficient voltage is applied to the chip, electrons can move easily across the junction where they are immediately attracted to the positive forces in the p region. When an electron moves sufficiently close to a positive charge in the p region, the two charges recombine.
Each time an electron recombines with a positive charge, electric potential energy is converted into electromagnetic energy. For each recombination of a negative and a positive charge, a quantum of electromagnetic energy is emitted in the form of a photon of light. This photon has a frequency determined by the characteristics of the semi-conductor material (usually a combination of the chemical elements gallium, arsenic, and phosphorus). LEDs that emit different colors are made of different semi-conductor materials. Said simply, LEDs are tiny “bulbs” fit into an electrical circuit. However, unlike ordinary incandescent bulbs, they don't have a filament. LEDs are illuminated solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material, making them energy efficient and extremely resilient over long periods of time.

LED Advantages

LEDs don't have a filament to burn out or break; therefore, they last much longer than conventional bulbs. Given that a very small semi-conductor chip runs an LED, they are very durable and tend to last many thousands of hours. Moreover, LEDs are “instant on,” much like halogen lamps, and thus convenient for use in applications that are subject to frequent or potential on-off cycling. Conversely, HID lamps are more fragile and have to warm up (15 – 25 seconds) during ignition. However, HID lights are much brighter than current LED configurations. This is because the side-emitting light found with HIDs is much easier to focus; the front-emitting nature of LEDs does not lend itself to a tightly focused beam. HID lighting is still preferred by most divers given the superior intensity and tight focus. However LED technology is changing rapidly and it is foreseeable that LEDs will eventually surpass the performance of HID lighting.

EOS LED Primary Light

The promise of LED technology that can fully replace HID lighting just took a step forward with Halcyon’s newest Eos primary light. The new Eos capably blends numerous desirable features with a focused light output exceeding the 10-watt HID. The Eos also reduces battery consumption with an efficient array of dual-intensity LEDs—a quick flip of the switch more than doubles the battery’s run time! A machined aluminum head shields a nearly indestructible LED light array with an expected lifecycle of 20,000 hours. A set of innovative Halcyon features round out the Eos by adding a custom tie point for the Goodman handle and a specially machined rear bolt-snap attachment point. The Halcyon Eos represents the dawn in a new age of underwater lighting and is a welcome addition to our line of primary lighting.

EOS LED Key Features

• Advanced LED array provides powerful 600 Lumen output in a small, attractive form.
• Lux rating at one meter is 10700; at three meters, 1450; and at five meters, 530.
• High-quality, aluminum light head with a Type 3, Class 2 Mil-Spec hard coat is durable and corrosion resistant.
• Aluminum light head optimizes heat dissipation while protecting LED electronics.
• High-quality LEDs are rated for approximately 20,000 hours and protected by a nearly indestructible light head.
• The dual-intensity LED allows an option to double battery run time.
• The built-in thermal protection circuit auto-switches to low intensity to protect LED array from overheating when out of the water.
• The Eos Goodman handle features an innovative bolt snap attachment point.
• The light head body provides a rear bolt snap attachment option.
• The charger has a switchable universal input, 110-240v.
• The Eos LED is pressure tested and depth rated to 300ft/90m.
• There is a lifetime warranty on the canister.
• The Eos comes standard with our indestructible Explorer canister featuring our proprietary “dry lid” design.

Key Features of Explorer Primary Light Systems

• Industry-first sealed, watertight, delrin lid design completely isolates battery compartment from cord and light head
• Solid delrin canisters are longer to ease the stowing of the long hose; watertrap in bottom of canister and raised battery tray provide additional protection for the battery pack
• Battery and lid connect with corrosion-resistant, solid-core, gold-plated plugs
• Gold-plated plugs are O-ring sealed to ensure leak-proof lid
• Secure battery tray with Stainless Steel rods for additional protection
• Water-trap canister may prevent battery damage due to small leaks from a dirty O-ring
• Unique captured, Halcyon Blue, silicon switch boot and O-ring with redesigned ergonomic Delrin switch protector
• Dual-voltage 4-amp charger with built-in cooling fan
• NiMH batteries
• Lifetime canister warranty
• Depth rated to 300 ft / 90 m
• Color temperature: 7000K. 1450 lumens.

Explorer Lighting Systems are available in the following configurations, with battery life (run time) of each:

Key Features of the HP LED Scout Light

• Our brightest Scout light to date
• High Performance (HP) output in a 3 "C" cell, hand held light
• 4 hour run time, super bright light output at 375 Lux / 190 Lumen at 15 feet/5m
• HP Upgrade Module available and fits 3 "C" cell Scouts only

LED Scouts deliver a tightly focused beam of highly visible white light.

Introducing the New Halcyon Mini-Explorer

The Halcyon Mini-Explorer represents a new generation of lighting, blending the performance and convenience of Halcyon Exploration lighting with the size and portability of recreational, hand-held lights. Both recreational and technical divers will be impressed by the intense output of this convenient pocket size light. The Mini-Explorer provides an amazing amount of light from a housing roughly the size of a modern-day smart phone while offering run times up to 4.5 hours.*

Features:

• Nearly indestructible LED module with amazing intensity in a tiny form-factor.
  • Expected LED lifetime in excess of 10,000 hours.
  • LED module produces nearly 6,000 lux at one meter.
• Easily stored in the pocket or on your Halcyon harness.
• Ideal for travel due to light weight and long burn time.
• Innovative handle provides excellent portability with hands-free operation.
  • Foldable Goodman handle offers exploration grade convenience.
  • Adjustable design can rapidly be customized to fit left- or right-hand operation.
  • Handle may be adjusted for use with bare hands or gloves.
  • Foldable handle protects LED and lens while in transport.
• May be fit with an optional fixed Goodman handle. (Must be purchased separately)
• Rear attachment point accommodates nearly any bolt snap (wrist lanyard optional).
• Easy on/off twist actuator eliminates complicated electronic circuitry.
• High-quality Delrin® housing is nearly indestructible.
• Removable battery carrier provided with three Lithium Ultimate® batteries.
  • Lithium Ultimate® batteries provide approximately 4.5 hours of operation.*
  • Battery carrier holds a wide range of AA batteries (rechargeable or disposable).
  • Custom rechargeable kit is available from Halcyon.
  • Generic rechargeable kits are widely available from various sources.

* Run time measured using the included Lithium Ultimate® batteries.