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Pathfinder GEN-X Strobe
COMPANY: NARKED AT 90 PRICE: £ 299.99 TEL: 01933 681255 WEB: WWW. NARKEDAT90. COM
In addition to whatever life support system you use as a diver, probably next on the list of importance is an artificial light source of some description. The more advanced you are as a diver, the more crucial this becomes. In addition to an individual’ s primary torch used for exploring the surroundings or signalling, a strobe is an essential part of a technical diver’ s kit.
Narked at 90’ s Pathfinder strobe has been updated and improved over the years, culminating in its latest incarnation, the GEN-X.
Manufactured from marine-grade aluminium, this 177mm x 57mm, and surprisingly lightweight( 0.35kg) strobe is depth-rated to 305 metres. It’ s nicely machined and has 6 recesses along the length of its lower body, into which the same number of large chunky rubber O-rings are situated.
This gives an excellent non-slip grip in ungloved, gloved or mittened hands while also affording impact protection from rough use. The frosted dome contains an on-board Tri-LED with a longevity outlasting both incandescent and xenon alternatives. All the GEN-X’ s internals are solid state technology, providing increased durability, reliability and lifespan. Powered by a trio of 1.5AA batteries in their supplied carrier, or a single 3.7 Li-ion
26650( used with the supplied sleeve) the strobe is activated by a single rotating magnetic control switch. There are five different settings, each accessed by a flip of the rotating magnetic switch. First is a continuous fastrotating strobe, then a rotating burst strobe, continuous slow rotating strobe, emergency candle mode plus an emergency‘ search & recovery’ mode. Turn the switch once more to return to the start. To switch off, simply twist and hold for three seconds.
Depending on the mode selected, the strobe’ s power source has a duration of between 4.5 and 100 hours. Access to the triple O-ring sealed battery compartment is attained by unscrewing the body from the lens.
The GEN-X is as good a strobe as I’ ve seen in the marketplace and while this is reflected in its cost( coming in at a penny under £ 300), it’ s made for deeper, challenging diving conditions from superior materials and components which are eminently suitable for that purpose.
While I didn’ t take it any deeper than normal recreational diving limits, it was a very visible marker on a shot-line for both daylight and night diving, securely attached via Narked’ s quick-release, failsafe line clip.
Made from stainless steel and fitted to the strobe’ s lower mounting point, it allows quick and easy fixing to shot lines of up to 8mm thickness. Once in place it’ s there for the duration, but can be removed in a jiffy when the dive is over. Neil Hope
SCUBA SAYS
Challenging diving requires kit that’ s up to the task, and Narked at 90’ s Pathfinder GEN-X is certainly that. Lightweight but robust and with five separate modes, this 300 metre-rated, solid-state strobe is the business.