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.