Scuba Diving Lights Buyers Guide
From beam size and shape, ease of use, grip, comfort and security, there are many things to consider when purchasing a new dive light. Our 2021 scuba diving Gear Buyers Guide will help you find the best scuba diving light that fits your style.
AQUA LUNG SEAFLARE
Jon WhittleAnodized finish and hardened glass lens protect from corrosion, abrasion and scratches.
$110 (900 lumens), $170 (1,300 lumens), $390 (2,800) | aqualung.com
Available in three sizes, the SeaFlare line’s trio of models come with max outputs of 900, 1,300 and 2,800 lumens, each with low, medium and high power levels. Each will run for up to three hours on full power. Four interchangeable colored, glow-in-the-dark silicone beam deflectors allow for easy diver identification at night. The light can be used topside for ease and flexibility of use.
DIVE RITE CX2
Jon WhittleComes ready to mount to any Dive Rite QRM hand mount.
$159 | diverite.com
Compact enough for easy travel yet powerful enough for the most demanding technical dives, the CX2 is just 7 inches long and packs in 1,700 lumens of output in a concentrated 8-degree beam. The push-button switch provides intuitive selection of four power levels plus emergency strobe, and a color LED displays battery power level. With a rugged anodized aluminum body, it’s rated to 328 feet (100 meters).
IST SPORTS T-60
Jon WhittlePowerful, yet small enough to slip into any BC pocket.
$180 | istdivingsystem.com
At just 5.2 inches (13 centimeters) long, this compact torch outputs 1,200 lumens of light. A twist of the magnetic rotary switch swaps between four power levels (including an emergency SOS strobe). The T-60 comes with a sliding beam shade and removable light diffuser, and has a rugged aluminum housing that’s rated to 300 feet. It runs on a rechargeable 18650 Li-ion, or single-use CR123 batteries.
SCUBAPRO NOVA 850 TECH FLASHLIGHT
Jon WhittleDurable 850-lumen torch complements Scubapro’s new S-Tek line.
$199 | scubapro.com
Machined of aluminum, this rugged dive torch offers a lightweight, durable option for underwater illumination. A matte-black finish with blue accents gives the light a cool stealthy look. With double O-ring seals to ensure leak-free operation, the Nova 850 is depth-rated to 1,000 feet (300 meters). Operation is easy, even with gloves, thanks to a simple twist-on/twistoff activation. An extended light head shroud prevents the beam from blinding other divers.
SEAC SZ5000 FLASHLIGHT
Jon WhittleLight-beam angle of 12 degrees for a wide range of visibility.
$299 | seacsub.com
Packing impressive power in a small package, the SZ5000 is ready for anything from recreational night dives on the reef to tec or deep wreck diving. An electromagnetic switch offers easy selection from 4,200 to 1,500 lumens, plus an emergency flash, and includes a locking feature to prevent accidental discharge. The USB-rechargeable battery burns for up to an hour at full power, and 2.5 hours at low power. Just 7 inches long, the SZ5000 is made from high-strength aluminum with a tempered optical glass lens over the three-light head for durability; it’s rated to 300 feet.
SEALIFE SEA DRAGON MINI 900S POWER KIT
Jon Whittle14-degree spot beam for long-range viewing and pointing out sea life.
$99.95 | sealife-cameras.com
Lightweight and compact, this tiny dive light easily slips into a BC pocket. Though it’s the perfect size for backup duty, the narrow 900-lumen spot beam is powerful enough for primary use. The light can step down to half and quarter power using a single easy-to-operate push-button, and has two flashing emergency modes. The kit includes a charger and 2600 mAh 18650 rechargeable battery, which will power the light for 1.6 hours on full power.
SEALIFE SEA DRAGON MINI 1300S POWER KIT
Jon WhittleIncludes charger and rechargeable 18650 battery.
$119.95 | sealife-cameras.com
Photo caption: Includes charger and rechargeable 18650 battery.
The Sea Dragon Mini 1300S offers an ultra-narrow 8-degree beam for long-range viewing and a max output of 1300 lumens. Anodized aluminum construction is corrosion-resistant and depth-rated to 330 feet (100 meters). The large handle is textured for improved grip. One-button operation allows easy one-handed access to the light’s three power levels and two emergency strobe functions.
SHERWOOD ST2800
Jon WhittleCompact dive torch can be charged without removing the battery via hidden USB port in tailpiece.
$288 | sherwoodscuba.com
Constructed of lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum, this dive torch is depth-rated to 328 feet (100 meters) and measures just over 7 inches (18 centimeters) long with a 1.5-inch diameter. The 12-degree beam provides up to 2,800 lumens of illumination. Swap between full power, half power and SOS strobe using the single button with integrated visual charge indicator light. Includes lanyard, carry case and neoprene holder. The ST2800’s burn times are 1.5 hours at 100 percent, 2.5 hours at 50 percent, and two hours on SOS.
UNDERWATER KINETICS AQUALITE PRO2
Jon WhittleSwap lenses to change between 70-degree and 20-degree beam.
$189.95 | uwkdive.com
Photo caption: Swap lenses to change between 70-degree and 20-degree beam.
Compact and versatile, the 1,300-lumen Pro 2 lets you change lenses from a 20-degree general-purpose dive beam to a 70-degree video light. With a push-button tail switch, three power levels and a corrosion-free composite housing, the Pro 2 is powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery. It’s 6.5 inches long and weighs only 6 ounces, and has screw mounts for imaging use.
