Halcyon's Explorer and Proteus lighting systems set the standard for underwater illumination. HID, halogen, and HMI lamps can be matched with any application, while a wide variety of canister/battery configurations allows you to dial in your system to meet the demands of any diving environment:

• Explorer NiMH Primary Lights
• Proteus Lead Acid Primary Lights
• 2003 10watt HID Light Head
• Apollo HID Video/Film Lighting
• Apollo HMI Video/Film Lighting
• Apollo Video Housings
• Halcyon Lighting Technology Overview
• Scout Reserve Lights

• HID FAQ
• NiMH FAQ

Show your DIR Diver colors at your local divesite with new Halcyon shirts and hats. We're now offering a Halcyon DIR Dive System shirt and baseball cap with Halcyon's new logo.

Halcyon shirts and hats are available through your local Halcyon dealer.

What are the number of charge / discharge cycles I can expect from your NiMH batteries?

Under normal conditions you can expect anywhere from 800 - 1000 charge / discharge cycles from your NiMH batteries. Cycle life is dependent upon usage conditions. Severe over-discharge of your NiMH can shorten the lifespan of your pack. Over-discharge isn’t a concern for HID lighting (your Halcyon HID lamp will cut off before your battery can discharge to the point of damage), but if you run your Helios pack with a halogen lamp you should shut down your light when the light begins to dim but before you run the pack to complete discharge.

Do Halcyon Helios NiMH batteries lose any capacity during their useful life?

All battery types lose some capacity over their life, but it is normally very gradual. Our NiMH batteries are designed to have a much longer cycle life and lower rate loss than older generation NiMH or lead acid batteries. You can expect battery capacity to decrease 10 to15% after 300 - 400 cycles.

My battery pack fell off the bench and hit the deck of the dive boat hard. Now that battery does not want to take a charge. I it possible that by dropping it I damaged it somehow?

Yes, by dropping this battery you have probably caused some internal damage. All batteries can be degraded by impact damage. If you do drop your battery pack, we recommend replacement. Even if no damage is apparent, the battery could later develop a short or a leak while in the equipment and then cause even more damage— not to mention the possible inconvenience of a light failure during a dive.

Do I have to use the Halcyon charger with my Helios battery pack?

The Halcyon Helios’ charger has been designed to ensure adequate return of charge while minimizing overcharge. Effective control of overcharge exposure, time and charge rate are all the most important factors in prolonging the life of your Helios battery pack. Use of any charger other than the Halcyon Helios charger can damage your battery pack and will void your warranty.

My light was accidentally turned on while in transit and the battery has been fully discharged. Have I damaged my Helios battery?

Maintaining a load on a NiMH battery past the point of full discharge may eventually cause irreversible changes in the cell chemistry and promote life-limiting phenomena such as creep leakage. If you have over-discharged your Helios battery pack, recondition the battery by taking it through at least three complete discharge/charge cycles.

Can I remove the white plastic shrink-wrapping from my Helios battery pack?

If you remove the protective white plastic shrink-wrapping from your Helios battery pack, you will void your Halcyon warranty. The wrapping helps to ensure the structural integrety of the battery pack. There are no user-servicable parts within the pack; if you think that your battery pack might be damaged within the wrapping, please return the light to your Halcyon dealer for a warranty inspection.

Do I need to take any special precautions in shipping and handling my Helios battery?

Shipping and handling of NiMH batteries is straightforward. The following suggestions ensure maximum performance, reliability, and safety in working with the cells:

• Provide proper packaging, considering the weight of the battery pack, to avoid transit damage.
• Do not store cells or batteries under load or in a shorted condition.
• Avoid excessive handling of charged cells and batteries outside the Helios canister.

Light signals can be an important means of communication because they work in a variety of situations and are especially effective in gaining a team member's attention. In dark surroundings, individuals can easily communicate with their lights over large distances. Even in close quarters light signals may be preferable, especially if divers are not facing one another. Many open water divers are starting to realize how lights can simplify communication and enrich a dive. Divers frequently use light signals over hand signals because they are:

• Easy to see
• More efficient to use
• Effective at much greater distances

DIR Tips courtesy of Global Underwater Explorers