Phaethon Lights
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PeteHall
Moderator
I know a couple of people who use them and both highly rate them. 
I nearly bought one, but opted for a Scurion Dive instead on the basis of local options for after sales service/ support (and I got the Scurion 2nd hand, but nearly new, for a good price).
I've no reason to doubt the after sales support for a Phaethon, other than it's overseas and an unknown.
I do know of someone who had a lot of trouble with one, but that person seems to have trouble with whatever kit they buy, so possibly it is the user at fault, not the light...
I nearly bought one, but opted for a Scurion Dive instead on the basis of local options for after sales service/ support (and I got the Scurion 2nd hand, but nearly new, for a good price).
I've no reason to doubt the after sales support for a Phaethon, other than it's overseas and an unknown.
I do know of someone who had a lot of trouble with one, but that person seems to have trouble with whatever kit they buy, so possibly it is the user at fault, not the light...
ImperialCollegecaver
Member
I've had a phaeton for the last 2 years - so can't really comment on the long-term durability of the build.
But I've used it on expeditions and camping trips, using a set of two 18650's for about 2.5 days caving on a mix of setting 1 for camp, and setting 2 for normal caving, with here and there bursts of the brighter settings for large passages. I've not had any problems with it, so I highly rate it. It's reliable and water proof, and you can get more 18650's to build your set of spare batteries. I also like the low-key functional design of the lamp. The switching on/off with the piezoelectric switch can be fiddly to 'get' at first, but there are no moving parts, so once you get past the 'press three times at the right rhythm business', you can get the full functionality even with extremely thick, muddy gloves.
Has anyone got experience with the after-sales side of things?
But I've used it on expeditions and camping trips, using a set of two 18650's for about 2.5 days caving on a mix of setting 1 for camp, and setting 2 for normal caving, with here and there bursts of the brighter settings for large passages. I've not had any problems with it, so I highly rate it. It's reliable and water proof, and you can get more 18650's to build your set of spare batteries. I also like the low-key functional design of the lamp. The switching on/off with the piezoelectric switch can be fiddly to 'get' at first, but there are no moving parts, so once you get past the 'press three times at the right rhythm business', you can get the full functionality even with extremely thick, muddy gloves.
Has anyone got experience with the after-sales side of things?
royfellows
Well-known member
This just a well meaning 'heads up'
If you purchase anything in the UK you are covered by UK consumer protection law. Purchasing from overseas, besides shipping cots etc, can carry risks.
If you purchase anything in the UK you are covered by UK consumer protection law. Purchasing from overseas, besides shipping cots etc, can carry risks.
RobinGriffiths
Well-known member
Heh, heh. I see they are in Greece. I'm not going for obvious cheap comment!
Tseralo
Active member
I've been using mine for nearly a year now, love it. It feels bombproof, it's light, the batteries are cheap it's easy to service, so far it's been to 30m several times with no issues whatsoever and I know they have gone much deeper. Battery life is basically the same as all the others, they all use 18650s inside and very similar leds and drivers.
I'm quite impressed with the engineering and thought that's gone into it unlike some of the more "garage engineering" of the UK ones. My simian light-flooded at 6m twice on me and several of the 18650 holders just died.
The only downside is you cant put protected cells in it if like me you already have backups or side lights that take protected 18650s. I am working on a solution for that though which ill share at some point.
I'm quite impressed with the engineering and thought that's gone into it unlike some of the more "garage engineering" of the UK ones. My simian light-flooded at 6m twice on me and several of the 18650 holders just died.
The only downside is you cant put protected cells in it if like me you already have backups or side lights that take protected 18650s. I am working on a solution for that though which ill share at some point.
Had mine for at least 5 years. It went back to Greece for a new cable in first year (and was repaired only for the cost of postage) but apart from that its been great - small, light-weight, easily-changed batteries in the middle of long expedition trips, great on flood for photos, and robust. My only reservation is that the circuit is completed by screwing the bottom half of the battery casing to the top, which of course includes an O-ring for water-proofing. I suspect that the aluminium case can build up oxide, and I have to tighten the Allen bolts a lot to keep the circuit good and stop any flickering.
royfellows
Well-known member
I have some interesting info on this.
I believe that it was the culmination of a project known as "Light 1777".
I have an original html download on local disk which I just opened in my browser but cannot get graphics up. The webpages are now gone, hyperlinks on the document are all dead. My documents are all in French as well.
I also have on disk the plan -drawing for the lamp which I will attempt to attach to this posting.
I believe that it was the culmination of a project known as "Light 1777".
I have an original html download on local disk which I just opened in my browser but cannot get graphics up. The webpages are now gone, hyperlinks on the document are all dead. My documents are all in French as well.
I also have on disk the plan -drawing for the lamp which I will attempt to attach to this posting.
Attachments
royfellows
Well-known member
I have just run the docs through Google Translate
First paragraph my be of interest:
"1/ Basic principles: This project, open to all without restriction, dates from the beginning of 2013 but was dormant: it was a question of creating an empty front box in relatively versatile milled aluminum for handymen of caving headlamps which could then be adapted by each for his personal use. The project has just restarted under the impetus of Bastien, a caving colleague from the Quebec City region (Canada). "
First paragraph my be of interest:
"1/ Basic principles: This project, open to all without restriction, dates from the beginning of 2013 but was dormant: it was a question of creating an empty front box in relatively versatile milled aluminum for handymen of caving headlamps which could then be adapted by each for his personal use. The project has just restarted under the impetus of Bastien, a caving colleague from the Quebec City region (Canada). "
