Scuba Diving Lights: Behind-the-Scenes Photos of ScubaLab's Gear Review
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John Michael BullockScuba Diver Between Rocks with Dive Light in Florida Cave
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.
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John Michael BullockDive lights sitting on the dock for ScubaLab's 2016 test
Light 'Em Up
Dive lights were numbered and organized next to the entry step so divers could quickly swap between models.
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John Michael BullockScuba Diver Underwater with Dive Light in Florida
Illuminating Results
Robby Myers, Assistant Editor for Scuba Diving and Sport Diver, tests out dive torches inside Blue Grotto's cavern.
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John Michael BullockScuba Diver Testing Dive Light Underwater in Florida Spring
Shine On
Patricia Wuest, Editor-In-Chief for Scuba Diving and Sport Diver, descends into Blue Grotto to begin her testing.
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John Michael BullockScuba Diving Light: Sola Dive 1200 Spot Wrist Mount
It's All In the Wrist
Some of the lights in the test were wrist mounts, like the Sola Dive 1200 Spot.
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John Michael BullockUnderwater in Florida Cave: Scuba Divers Test Dive Lights
Looking Up
Scuba Diving's Deputy Editor Mary Frances Emmons shines her dive torch on the ceiling to test its light output.
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John Michael BullockWaterproof Paper to Review Scuba Diving Gear
Underwater Notation
Testers scored the lights using waterproof test sheets.
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John Michael BullockScubaLab Director shines dive light underwater in cave
Mr. ScubaLab Himself
ScubaLab Director Roger Roy tests out a dive light inside Blue Grotto.
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John Michael BullockScuba diver shines her light while exploring underwater cavern
Tester's Choice
Blue Grotto's cavern is a perfect place to see which lights outshine the competition.
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John Michael BullockUnderwater cave and scuba diver testing gear
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.