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Scuba Diving Lights: Behind-the-Scenes Photos of ScubaLab's Gear Review

By Robby Myers | Published On May 26, 2016
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Scuba Diving Lights: Behind-the-Scenes Photos of ScubaLab's Gear Review

Scuba Diver Between Rocks with Dive Light in Florida Cave

Scuba Diver Between Rocks with Dive Light in Florida Cave

John Michael Bullock

Ergonomic Dive Light Testing
In water testing was conducted by a team of scuba divers at Blue Grotto Dive Resort in Williston, Florida.

For our May Gear Review, ScubaLab traveled to Blue Grotto, a freshwater spring in north-central Florida, to test out the latest scuba diving lights. Our team of test divers tried out 15 different models during a night dive and a cavern dive the next day. Testers were tasked with rating the lights on a number of criteria including:

  • Ease of Use: Are switches and controls intuitive and easy to operate? Ease of selecting power levels, emergency flash, ect.

  • Comfort: Size and shape of grip or mount; weight, balance and ergonomics of the light.

  • Beam Size and Shape: Usefulness of the beam underwater.

  • Light Output: Brightness, color, and quality of the beam.

  • Power Levels: The ability to regulate brightness in useful increments.

  • Use As A Primary Light: The light's usefulness as a primary light for night dives.

Dive lights sitting on the dock for ScubaLab's 2016 test

Dive lights sitting on the dock for ScubaLab's 2016 test

John Michael Bullock

Light 'Em Up
Dive lights were numbered and organized next to the entry step so divers could quickly swap between models.

Scuba Diver Underwater with Dive Light in Florida

Scuba Diver Underwater with Dive Light in Florida

John Michael Bullock

Illuminating Results
Robby Myers, Assistant Editor for Scuba Diving and Sport Diver, tests out dive torches inside Blue Grotto's cavern.

Scuba Diver Testing Dive Light Underwater in Florida Spring

Scuba Diver Testing Dive Light Underwater in Florida Spring

John Michael Bullock

Shine On
Patricia Wuest, Editor-In-Chief for Scuba Diving and Sport Diver, descends into Blue Grotto to begin her testing.

Scuba Diving Light: Sola Dive 1200 Spot Wrist Mount

Scuba Diving Light: Sola Dive 1200 Spot Wrist Mount

John Michael Bullock

It's All In the Wrist
Some of the lights in the test were wrist mounts, like the Sola Dive 1200 Spot.

Underwater in Florida Cave: Scuba Divers Test Dive Lights

Underwater in Florida Cave: Scuba Divers Test Dive Lights

John Michael Bullock

Looking Up
Scuba Diving's Deputy Editor Mary Frances Emmons shines her dive torch on the ceiling to test its light output.

Waterproof Paper to Review Scuba Diving Gear

Waterproof Paper to Review Scuba Diving Gear

John Michael Bullock

Underwater Notation
Testers scored the lights using waterproof test sheets.

ScubaLab Director shines dive light underwater in cave

ScubaLab Director shines dive light underwater in cave

John Michael Bullock

Mr. ScubaLab Himself
ScubaLab Director Roger Roy tests out a dive light inside Blue Grotto.

Scuba diver shines her light while exploring underwater cavern

Scuba diver shines her light while exploring underwater cavern

John Michael Bullock

Tester's Choice
Blue Grotto's cavern is a perfect place to see which lights outshine the competition.

Underwater cave and scuba diver testing gear

Underwater cave and scuba diver testing gear

John Michael Bullock

Don't Be Left In the Dark
Make sure you check back for the full review and see the results of our objective and ergonomic tests!

Our review is now online! Check it out here.