Exploring the world under the water could be so much adventurous. Whether it’s day or night, the underwater world never fails to amaze you. If you’re an experienced scuba diver, you may know diving at night is completely different than diving during the day. Visibility tends to decrease, and colors disappear.
Also, you may have difficulty locating the path. It often becomes hard to understand the full beauty due to the dark. That is why we’ve come up with an essential topic for scuba divers – Diving Lights.
If you’re a newly registered diver, you may think what the need of carrying a dive light underwater and whether it would be convenient to do so is. Well, carrying a dive light has more than one advantage. Even if you’re diving during the day, a dive light plays a crucial role. Colors tend to disappear after you dive 20 ft underwater, making it essential to carry a reliable light with you.
If you’re into cave diving, a dive light can help you explore new creatures and formations. There are hundreds of options available in the market. With so many choices comes so much confusion. Choosing a light that suits all your needs and is pocket-friendly is quite tricky.
In this review article, we’ve tried to save you from the hassle. We’ve done detailed research and narrowed down your choice to our top 5 picks for today. We hope in this article; you can know more about the best brands and specifications they offer.
Best Dive Lights Reviews
★ Top Pick | Product | Price | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Genwiss Dive Light, Scuba Diving FlashlightSee Details | Check Price | 4.8 |
 | ThorFire Scuba Diving FlashlightSee Details | Check Price | 4.8 |
 | Underwater Kinetics C8 eLED Scuba Dive LightSee Details | Check Price | 4.6 |
 | Light and Motion Sola Scuba Dive LightSee Details | Check Price | 4.4 |
 | Orchatorch D550 Diving LightSee Details | Check Price | 4.3 |
Genwiss Dive Light, Scuba Diving Flashlight
We start our review from the Genwiss Dive light. This is a bright dive light with a super bright XPL – LED bulb that gives up to 1000 lumens. You can take this dive light up to 80 meters deep. That’s how you’ll get super bright white light underwater.
About run time, it can run up to 50,000 hours on five different modes given. These five modes include high, medium, low, SOS, and strobe. An impressive fact is that the dive light sports one of the best magnetic induction on the rotary switch. With the help of this feature, you can adjust the brightness of your flashlight, depending on the surrounding underwater.
You can easily use this model in different environments and conditions. If we talk about technical specs, the flashlight is IP8 rated water-resistant and comes with a Lithium-ion battery and a USB charger.
- It can withstand up to 80 meters underwater.
- You can adjust the brightness.
- It can run up to 50,000 lifetime hours.
- Magnetic induction on the rotary switch.
- Quite weighty than other models.
ThorFire Scuba Diving Flashlight 2000 Lumen Dive Light
The ThorFire is one of the best dive lights in our list that can totally illuminate your path. Make a fantastic addition to your gear with this dive light that can run up to 100,000 bulb hours span, giving you the freedom to dive as long as you want. What will make you love this is the lightweight design that is relatively durable.
The robust aluminum aircraft body makes it withstand the roughs of saltwater and pressure. You can take this dive light 230 ft deep underwater.
The dive light sports a set of 3 LED lights that can lighten your path. For changing modes, you get a circular switch that means no more hassle while wearing gloves. The moment you think you don’t need it, you can sling it in your belt with its handle. For technical specs, the light gives out 2,000 lumens output and weighs just 685 grams. The package comes with a Thorfire Diving Flashlight, a user manual, and O rings.
- It is made with high-quality aluminum aircraft material.
- Comes with a convenient carry handle.
- Magnetic rings make it easy to use.
- Super bright LEDs.
- Comes with minimal accessories.
Underwater Kinetics C8 eLED Scuba Dive Light
You may know Underwater Kinetics has a good reputation for making fine quality underwater gear. The C8 eLED is a primary dive light that gives 1200 lumens on high setting. You’ll get a rechargeable battery that gives you a runtime of around 5.8 hours in the highest setting. While on low power setting, it can run up to 20 hours, giving out 540 lumens.
With the purpose of primary dive light, it works on Underwater Kinetics patented two eLED optic system that puts up to 90 % light into the center of the beam. It gives an impressive range of 500 feet or 150 meters. The C8 eLED is rated to last up to 20 years, even after being exposed to saltwater.
Now, for those who are interested in technical specs, the light sports a rechargeable Alkaline C battery that gives up to 20 hrs run time in the low setting. You can take this light 500 ft underwater.
- Great runtime of 20 hrs.
- Works on a two eLED optic system.
- It comes with a rechargeable battery that is rated to last 10 yrs with the proper care.
- It has a convenient pistol grip that won’t slip away underwater.
- The light is limited to the width of the beam, restricting how broad a diver can see.
Light and Motion Sola Scuba Dive Light 800
Our next pick is the Sola Dive Light 800, a hybrid diving light. You can use it as a primary diving light or for underwater sea photography. The wide beam is 60 degrees wide that gives 800 lumens, enough for you to spot things. When put into spotlight mode, it provides 500 lumens so that you can easily locate your path and explore sea creatures.
You can mount the dive light on your wrist using the mounting system. The Sola Dive light has a better design than most of the models. The mounting feature allows you to keep your hands free for either holding camera or diving deeper. If you don’t want to strap it, you can hold it as a pistol grip, which is again very convenient. You can take this light up to 300 feet deep. What impressed us the most is that it gives regulated output and won’t get dim as you use it.
For the battery, the Sola Dive Light sports a lithium-ion battery that stands up to just an hour, roughly 70 minutes on the highest setting. For the lowest setting, you’ll get over 4.5 hours.
- Comes with a rechargeable battery.
- Gives out 60-degree flood and 12-degree spot beam angles.
- Dept rating of 300 ft.
- Extremely lightweight that weighs 285 grams.
- Battery life is significantly less at the highest setting.
Orchatorch D550 Diving Light
We’d end our review with the Octatorch D550. It’s a bright flashlight that can be used as a primary light. You can also use it as a backup light as it is very compact and lightweight to carry in a BCD pocket.
The light is rated for 1000 lumens, which is fantastic for such a compact design. You’ll get a replaceable and rechargeable 18650 Lithium-ion battery. The D550 is rated for 450 ft depth, making it suitable for advanced scuba divers.
What makes this light different from other models is that it has no on/off button. You can tighten the head of the light to switch it on and off. You can also see this a downside that it’s always on once you tighten the head. It has no power setting, so it’s still in the highest set lasting up to 2 hours.
- It has a depth rating of 450 ft.
- Extremely lightweight and compact.
- Comes with two lithium batteries.
- Gives out 1000 lumens.
- t has no power settings.
The Final Take
There are several things you need to keep in mind before buying a dive light. The key to buying the perfect light is to look for the best purpose it serves rather than searching for the overall best light. You will get the best light by picking the one that fits all your needs.
The most important thing to consider while buying is what purpose you’re going to use it for. If you just want an occasional light that maybe you can use to look at some crab or fish trapped in the cracks, the choice shouldn’t be so critical. Any small dive light will do for you. But if you want a primary dive light, you’ll have to consider the beam angles, pressure-resistance, light output, etc.
Try focusing on the battery life if you’re buying a dive light for night diving. This is because you would never want your light to betray you in the dark. Also, consider the beam; it should be broad enough to illuminate your path.
We hope we provided an honest review and everything you need to know before making your next purchase.
Buying Guide for Best Dive Lights 2021
Many scuba divers love diving at night as different creatures come out at night. If you want to have a real glimpse of a totally different world, diving at night could be a fantastic experience for you. Before you get serious about your next adventure, it’s essential to have a look at the role of dive lights not only at night but at day also.
A scuba diving light is a tremendous and vital equipment every diver should take with them. Whether you’re diving in clear or murky water, night or day, a dive light can fill more colors in the blue world. Experienced divers know that everything tends to look dull after going 20 to 30 feet underwater, even during the day.
When sunlight is not enough to illuminate life under the the sea, a dive light can make your experience more spectacular. Choosing a dive light is similar to select any other scuba diving equipment. The simple rule is that it should suit your driving style and needs.
Whether you want value for money light or your first primary light,, we have tried to give you the information you need. In this guide, we are going to discuss factors you should consider while making the decision and also the importance of dive light. First of all, let’s see why you need a light to go scuba diving.
- You need a diving light for color illumination. Being a diver, you may know that color tends to disappear as you go deep in water. To be more accurate, it’s like this :
a.) You won’t see red color after 15 ft of depth.
b.) Orange will disappear after 25 ft of depth.
c.) Yellow will become difficult to see after 35 ft.
d.) Green won’t be there around 70 ft. - Aquatic animals like crevices, krooks, and fishes love to hide from our eyes. A dive light is a great way to have a real glimpse of such species. Also, you can illuminate dark places like caves with diving light.
- Night diving is entirely different from driving during the day. Divers love to dive at night because some creatures only come out during the night. For experiencing the whole adventure in vivid color, a dive light could be beneficial.
1. Purpose of Light
- Primary light – If you want to buy a primary dive light, a broad beam should be your first choice. A wide beam will cover more area, and you’ll get a more lighted vision. You can see the sea life surrounding you with the help of your primary dive light.
- Backup Dive Light – If you want a backup dive light, you must go for a light with a narrower beam. You can use your backup dive light to search for any cracks or crevices in rocks, reefs, and walls. Backup lights are smaller than your primary lights so that they don’t come in your way until you actually need them.
2. Bulb Technology
Bulb technology and types are changing rapidly. Nowadays, lights can create more light using significantly little power. You can choose from Halogen, LED, Tungsten, and HID. Tungsten and halogen bulb lights will cost you less but wouldn’t give you the desired output. Also, they use more power.
LEDs and HIDs are giving tough competition as a 10-watt HID bulb can give the same light as a 50-watt halogen taking only 20 % power. LED bulbs are even more efficient. Another reason to go for a LED or HID light is that the colors absorb less in water and appear bright even underwater.
3.Type of Batteries
- Alkaline Batteries like C or AA batteries are available easily, and you can find them even in remote areas. With this, being inexpensive is also one of its advantages. You may not want to go for them due to their performance and the fact that they don’t have battery life.
- Lithium Battery offers incredible power for its size. This leads to excellent brightness and battery life. Lithium-ion batteries maintain constant power, unlike alkaline batteries that show steeper power reduction with passing the time.
- Rechargeable batteries are environmentally friendly and have a low operating cost as you don’t have to replace them again and again. If you’re going to opt for rechargeable batteries, make sure you charge them just before your dive as they hold power for a longer time.
4. Depth ratings
Before making your purchase, it’s necessary to consider your diving habits. Do you like to dive deep as 30 meters, or you just remain above 20 meters? Choosing a dive light that doesn’t withstand the depth you’re diving will leave you in big trouble. That’s why it’s really crucial to check the depth ratings.
5. Pressure proof and Waterproof lights
Many people think that for diving, you need a waterproof light. Well, yes, that’s true, but not completely true. It would be best if you had a waterproof light as well as pressure-proof. Buying just waterproof lights will resist water but may not withstand the pressure of submersion. You would not want your light to go off as it is crushed due to pressure. Always check for pressure-proof labels.
6. Time of Diving
If you’re planning to go diving during the day, a narrow beam light is ideal. This way, you’ll be able to see through the cracks of rocks and narrow openings. For a night dive, we’d suggest light with a broader beam. Also, it is best to take both primary and backup light with you.
7. Handle, size, and Weight
These factors will vary according to the type of light and whether you want to hold or mount the torch. The focus should be buying a light convenient to carry and doesn’t come in the way of exploration.
8. Strobe lights or Steady beam
As we’ve discussed the role of a steady beam, they help spot any creature that might be trapped in cracks or openings. Also, these help you to look your way through the rock formations.
Now, what more interesting is the role of strobe or SOS lights. If you’re someone who loves to dive in groups or you go with your dive buddy, it’s sometimes difficult to keep a track on them as things are nearly visible underwater. Many advanced lights come with both steady and strobe light features, and you can easily find your buddy by flashing the light.
The Take-Away
You knew that dive light could enhance your night diving, but now you know it has a significant impact during the day. A dive light proves to be your faithful companion, especially if you’re fond of cave diving or deep diving. With a dive light by your side, you will not only locate your path with ease, but also you can explore many hidden things underwater.
For those who love to dive in groups, many manufacturers make lights with strobe light or SOS feature. This feature enables you to flash it as a signal to spot your group. Whether you’re making your initial purchase or you’re looking for a trusted secondary, we’ve got you covered. With this guide, you can surely make a smart purchase.
