Gates HC9 / Green Force Squid 250s

Hi,

I'm currently using a Gates Sony PC 1000 Housing and Green Force Squid 50 HIDs. I'm looking at upgrading to HD and for travel/ weight considerations looking at the Gates HC9 Housing. I would like to use this in conjunction with 2 Green Force Squid 250s & Flexi IIs for deep wreck work, however, I'm unsure as to the size balance between housing and lighting system. The Squid 50s are great for shallower work however lack the coverage for deeper wide angle shots.

Does anyone out there use this or has tried this housing/ lighting combination? Would be grateful for any feedback, comments, photos etc.

Thanks, Martin

Hello Martin,

Well, to start with, the Gates HC7/HC9 is very close in size to the PC1000 housing so not much change there.

In regards to size and balance of the Green Force lights; The 250's use the same batteries and bracket as the 50's, so the only size difference will be the light heads.

The 250's ship with two ULCS 8"buoyancy arms, which offset the water weight of the light heads. That being said, the only real difference in size and weight would be on the surface and that would be minimal.

Since you already own the 50's, it would be nice to be able to switch from them to the 250s when needed, without having to switch out batteries and brackets.

I hope that helps.

Here's a picture of the Gates HC7/9 with the 250's

Here's a picture of the Gates HC7/9 with the 250's

Hi Joe,

Many thanks for the info and pictures....looks like a workable configuration to me. Strange coincidence a good friend Terry Moore highly recommended your services to me. I will be in touch once I get funding sorted!!

Best Regards,

Martin

Strange coincidence a good friend Terry Moore highly recommended your services to me. I will be in touch once I get funding sorted!!

 

Best Regards,

 

Martin

Terry is a great guy and one heck of a photographer and videographer.

For those of you who don't know Terry, he has some great galleries at Liquid Motion Productions.

Hi Martin,

The FII are too light for the Squid 250. You will need a FIII or an FIV. The FII will work but they will get a very short lifetime because of the high drain.

On most housings you will need extra floaters to compensate for the FIIIs. I use an Amphibico Phenom housing. I removed the balance weights (around 2 KG) on the housing and added two custom made floaters (just PVC). It has been down to 85 meters and no implosion so far.

Let me know if you have other questions,

Peter

Just adding my input, I too recently purchased a Gates HC7/9 setup from Joe aka Spaceflight, and his service and prices were excellent. I recommend him too.

Just adding my input, I too recently purchased a Gates HC7/9 setup from Joe aka Spaceflight, and his service and prices were excellent. I recommend him too.

I'll second or third that. Joe set me up with an awesom housing about a month ago. Great guy to work with...

Many thanks to everyone for their comments and feedback on this subject. I now have some food for thought, just need to make decision!!

Hi,

Green Force Squid 50 HIDs

Have you had any issues with flooding. Call it bad luck but recently got the lights and flooded. I believe because I turn them off underwater nothing for sure. I have reasons to believe the system they use to ON/OFF is a major point of failure.

Could you please light me on this? any experiences.....right now they are out to Belgium to be repaired....I can not believe they can not be fix here at all....Am I the only one that needs service.

Thanks

Ed

Hi,

 

I'm currently using a Gates Sony PC 1000 Housing and Green Force Squid 50 HIDs. I'm looking at upgrading to HD and for travel/ weight considerations looking at the Gates HC9 Housing. I would like to use this in conjunction with 2 Green Force Squid 250s & Flexi IIs for deep wreck work, however, I'm unsure as to the size balance between housing and lighting system. The Squid 50s are great for shallower work however lack the coverage for deeper wide angle shots.

 

Does anyone out there use this or has tried this housing/ lighting combination? Would be grateful for any feedback, comments, photos etc.

 

Thanks, Martin

I just returned from leading a group to the Cocos Islands and one of my guests had a brand new Green Force light which flooded on the 2nd dive. I felt for him.

Steve

I would love to hear more about what you all think of the HC-9, its color resolution, ease of focus, low light ect.