Thanks for posting the above Malcolm; I'd also be interested to see what any other members who've dived with these think.

In fact, if anyone can give any useful reflections (sorry, lousy pun!) on the two questions below, it'd help:

1. Does the fact that the light is central and close to the eyes cause a lot of scatter?

2. Does the battery, which seems to stick up slightly, become a problem in difficult terrain?

Thanks,

John C

I use a dive Scurion, which is very similar to the Rude Nora.

I dont have any issues beyond the usual with backscatter and I've never had a problem with the size of the headset or the battery box - although I dont go to places quite as grim as you!

B

Thanks Ben, that's useful.

"Grim"? Nay - just sometimes a bit "challenging".  🤨 

I haven't dived it but I did go to look at it and test it for filming. Very well made and easily programmable with the remote control. For the price its astounding if you compare to a scurion.

Rob

I must admit I moved away from the main light on the helmet some years a go. I use a wrist mounted light (Soft Goodman Glove) Light is a Merlin Sun although the mount will take any torch. Removes back scatter issues never gets in the way hand is still usable in fact puts the light in a better location to see what is going on. I still have four lights on my hat two Tektite Expedition Star (old but long burn) and two Ledlenser  D14.2. For caving a Lynx X from Roy Fellows (he is developing a dive version). I have caved with people using bat burners and they are too bright you see stars every time they look at you. Mostly told to turn the wick down.

Andrew

I've removed the comment about the Nora being a clone of the Scurion - sorry if that offended you. 

Its true, I do work for Scurion. However I bought my first Scurion in around 2008, way before I started working for them.

I'm sure whatever light people go for - Scurion, Rude Nora, Phaethon, etc they'll have a good experience, they're all very good lights.

B

I’ve a Scurion and this year bought the new Rude Nora.

I got a wee bit fed up of getting my head stuck with the Scurion and my helmet slipping around (an irritation, not a big problem and I never found the weight too much) so I purchased the Nora.

My original intention was to run two helmets - one with the Scurion for more serious aquatic trips and the Nora for those requiring a fair bit of or solely ’dry’ stuff.

I much prefer to use a decent primary light on my hand when diving, for reasons mentioned above, with a decent back-up ‘primary’ that is helmet mounted, combined with a couple of SD11s up there for further back-up. Helmet lights only get switched on if I need to use my hands and have illumination or in the event of a primary failure.

After trying a number of different options in the search for a competent hand torch I ended up sticking the Scurion on a Goodman where it has been superb - bombproof, ample power, a variable beam and decent burn-time.

This of course left me with only the Nora helmet mounted.

I’ve not used it very much so far - two recent dry trips and a diving trip to France at Christmas, however it has been fine. It has been much less of an annoyance when in small passage and has ample power for my needs. I didn’t do any big dives in France (big caves were too wet) and it did only get occasional usage due to the Scurion on my hand, but I can’t fault it really.

A friend did do some rather serious dives with the Nora (not sure of the max depth he took it to but it managed at least 79m in the Landenouse - I was still using the Scurion at that point - and it was still working as he passed me on his way out) and I’m not aware of him having had any big gripes.

The Nora will never have the burn-time or power of the Scurion and it’s doesn’t feel as bombproof, but it’s a big chunk cheaper, and an awful lot less cumbersome on my bonce.

I’m very happy with both.

My other favourite torch is a Halcyon Focus - but it’s umbilical so annoys the life out of me when sidemounting, thus it only gets used with backmount these days.

I was just about to pull the trigger on a Nora 3 when a second hand Dive Scurion became available for same money.  Went for the Scurion as it was a good opportunity to try it and, if too heavy or whatever, sell on for similar money and get the Nora instead.

Same as Simon, I prefer hand-mount if appropriate for the site.  I have a Dive-Rite LX-20 on a soft glove, which is completely self contained, no umbilical, runs off 4x 18650 batteries.  It's great.  I actually have a brand new LX-20, never used, for sale if someone wants to offer me sensible money for it.

If using hand-mount, the Scurion will be my main back-up, tho I also carry two others.  If site isn't appropriate for hand-mont, then Scurion is main light and I carry 3 others on the helmet.  I usually burn two lights at a time, i.e. the Hand-Mount with the Scurion on low or the Scurion with one of the Backups on.  I can see far better with the hand-held primary and the Scurion on low than I can with the Scurion on a higher setting.

I'd seriously consider a Nora again if I was buying new.  I've never heard anything negative about them.  I believe both Michael Thomas and Claire Cohen of Somerset section have been using them for 6+ years with no issues, though they won't be the latest version 3.  The only note I made in the negative column for the Nora when deciding what light to buy was that the guy who makes them is getting on a bit and i heard he annually talks about jacking it in but never does, but one day he will and then what happens to support?

I've used a Phaethon for 2 years and been good and not too heavy. I switch it off whilst diving and then back on when at the other side, preferring to use 1/2 helmet mounted side lights and use a Barbolight (which have  started being made again) on some thick elastic on my forearm (keeping hands free).