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The Halcyon Explorer Series : The Quest for Perfection
Halcyon’s Explorer
is the latest evolution of our exploration-grade primary lighting.
The Explorer’s DNA can be traced back eight years through
the original Explorer Pro: certainly one of the most trusted dive
lights ever made. From the rock-solid battery pack and the water-tight
lid to the superior flicker-free performance of its HID light element,
the Explorer sets the new standard against which other lights will
be judged.
When Halcyon
set out to improve upon its Helios designs, we had identified key
areas that we saw lacking in canister lights across the board. We
started with a truly leak-proof lid that could isolate the battery
compartment in case of cord damage or the light head in case of
canister flood. Design and testing began over a year ago, with many
prototypes developed and refined over the course of testing. We
were not going to release a design that was simply leak-resistant:
no wiring from the light cord could enter the battery compartment.
The Explorer's lid isolates the cord wiring; O-ring protected, gold-plated
banana plugs extend through the bottom of the lid to connect to
the top of the Explorer battery pack. In testing, we've cut the
light head off of an Explorer and then tested the light to 300'
with the unsealed cord and found that no water was able to pass
into the lid.
Listening
to the requests of our cold-water test divers, we then redesigned
the lid's switch protector to allow for a more positive identification
of on/off positions while wearing thick gloves. In looking at the
protector, we decided to improve on the switch boot as well: instead
of a boot that threads on via a thin plastic ring, we designed molds
for a new captured switch boot that integrates into the switch protector.
The switch boot is molded to our specifications out of high durometer
silicon.
With the
changes to the lid established, we turned our attention to the battery
itself. We started by designing a stainless steel cage that provides
a rigid compartment that can protect the NiMH batteries from the
stresses often found in the course of transporting dive gear under
difficult conditions. The battery pack has reciprocal self-plugging
connectors for the Explorer lid, simplifying assembly before a dive.
Simply unlatch and rotate the lid from the dummy plug holes to the
gold-plated connectors to connect
your battery. A milled water-trap in bottom of canister, together
with the raised battery tray, provides additional protection for
the battery in the event of seepage from a damaged canister O-ring.
The improvements
didn't stop with the work on the light itself. Selecting the proper
NiMH charger is critical to ensure maximum value for your canister
light. Halcyon has literally searched the world for the best charger
to match up with our Explorer lights. The new dual-voltage Halcyon
NiMH charger provides reliable service in a compact, fan-cooled
design.
Key Features of all Explorer Primary Light Systems
- Sealed Delrin lid
design; completely isolates battery compartment from cord and
light head
- Battery and lid connect
with corrosion-resistant, solid-core gold-plated plugs; plugs
are O-ring sealed to ensure leakproof lid
- New secure battery
tray with stainless steel rods for additional protection
- Unique captured silicon
switch boot integrated into new ergonomic Delrin switch protector
- "Halcyon Blue"
lid O-ring and switch boot
- Solid Delrin canisters
are longer to ease the stowing of the long primary hose; water-trap
in bottom of canister and raised battery tray provide additional
protection for the battery
- Lifetime canister
warranty
- Depth rated to 500’/152m
- NiMH battery technology
- New dual-voltage
4amp charger with built-in cooling fan
- Many new features
of the Explorer series are patent-pending
The range of Explorer
Primary Light Systems replaces the Helios in Halcyon's line-up.
Halcyon's Proteus 3 and 6 Light
Systems will still be available to provide the option of an
entry-level, lead-acid primary light.
Explorer Light
Head Options
Halcyon Explorer primary lights are available with your choice of
18 watt HID, 10 watt focusable or fixed 6² HID, or 50 watt Halogen
light heads. Larger coldwater Goodman handle standard; smaller handle
is available as optional purchase. The 18 watt head now includes
an integrated tie-off groove at the base of the cord.
Explorer Delrin Canister
Thanks to the compact dimension of the NiMH battery pack, the Explorer
canister is a fraction of the size of a light using a lead-acid
power supply. Just like its indestructible Scout back-up light,
Halcyon mills the Explorer canister out of a solid rod of Delrin.
The one-piece design ensures maximum structural integrity. Delrin
shares the same characteristics of industrial metals such as aluminum
and stainless steel. Some comparable properties include stiffness,
dimensional stability, impact resistance, and structural strength.
The one-piece Delrin canister is virtually indestructible under
normal usage. Although the canister itself can withstand depths
of over 3000 feet, the recommended working depth of the Halcyon
Helios line is 450 feet/137 meters.
To complement the Delrin
canister, all Explorer lights feature high quality stainless steel
fittings and locking latches.
Explorer
NiMH Power Supplies
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