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Dive lights are essential tools for divers who dive at night, in caves, or on wrecks. They are also useful for exploring crevices and swim throughs on reefs and dive sites. That being said, whether you're an experienced diver or just getting started, a good dive torch is an essential safety tool in any diver's arsenal. The best dive lights are lightweight, have a bright light (measured in lumens), and don't let water in.
It can be difficult to determine which is the best dive lights for you, so we're here to assist you. These torches have been specially designed to help you illuminate the underwater environment. We have the best budget, mid-range, and high-end dive lights for your consideration.
Purchasing a diving torch appears to be a simple task until you start looking at the options. There is an incredible variety of lights available, but to make your decision easier, we have broken it down into the features you should consider.
LED or light bulb
Bulb torches are becoming increasingly rare; they consume more power and have a fragile filament, making them less able to withstand the rigors of diving. LEDs are more efficient, dependable, and last much longer. The number of LEDs varies, but the overall brightness is measured in lumens.
Lumens
Lumens are units of measurement for the amount of light emitted by a torch. More lumens indicate a brighter light, while fewer lumens indicate a dimmer light. It's a useful tool for comparison, but keep in mind that beam intensity also influences light strength. Some torches allow you to adjust the brightness; this is a great feature for changing lighting conditions.
Beam
In low visibility, a narrow beam will cut through and is useful for pointing when diving in daylight. A wider beam is ideal for night diving in clear conditions because it illuminates a larger area of reef. A wider beam, like your car's headlights in fog, will rebound in poor or low visibility. Some torches allow you to switch between a wide and narrow beam, which is useful in a variety of situations.
If you want to add color to GoPro footage, you'll need a torch with a wide beam and a constant, not flickering, light. The lighting must be even and free of hotspots in order for the footage to be evenly colored.
Battery
Some lights use rechargeable batteries, while others use standard batteries. Consider where you will use your torch as well as charging options. You can still buy rechargeables for a torch that uses standard batteries, but you have the flexibility to substitute when you can't charge by mains.
Handle
A hand-held torch should come with a lanyard or have a lanyard attachment point. This allows you to wear it around your wrist or attach it to your Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) and drop it as needed. A hand-held torch's grip should be comfortable for you to hold.
Some lights have a battery pack connected to a torch head by a cable. The pack is attached to your tank, and you thread the cable and place the torch head on top of your wrist. This configuration is popular for technical diving or dives that benefit from having both hands free. The pack has a longer burn time, and the configuration frees up your hands to do other things.
Functionality
Although they are a simple piece of equipment to use, you should ensure that you can use them with and without gloves. Determine whether single-handed operation is important to you. Aside from the ability to turn them on and off, there may be options to adjust the beam width and strength. Be wary of those who twist the barrel to make adjustments. If you open them by twisting the barrel to change the batteries, you could accidentally flood them. Look for switches that cannot be accidentally activated; you don't want to waste battery power.
Budget
You could spend a small fortune on a torch, but keep in mind that it is one of those items that can be easily dropped or flooded.
What should the brightness of a dive light be?
This is determined by the type of dive light you intend to carry. Diver lights are classified into three types. The first is the primary dive light, which is a tough and durable light with a long-lasting battery designed to aid you when scuba diving at night or in low light. The most powerful primary dive lights will offer much more, with some models producing up to 20,000 lumens of light.
The secondary dive light is a lighter and more portable device designed for less strenuous use and as a torch on occasion. These vary in terms of brand, power, size, and shape, but a good diver light should be around 500 lumens. The third type of light is used for underwater photography. These are specialized lights with a powerful and direct beam - rather than an angled one - and there are many on the market to choose from.
How Do I Select a Dive Light?
When selecting a divers light, there are three major factors to consider: the type you require - primary, secondary (backup), or photography, the brightness, and the beam size and shape. You should also consider whether you require an emergency strobe and SOS flash feature.
A bright light head with a wide-angle beam is ideal for scuba diving at night or in low light. A torch with a narrow-angle beam light head will be more effective for looking into crevices and such. Also, plan your budget ahead of time and buy the best you can with the mode you require.
How many Lumens am I going to need for night diving?
A diver in clear water will need a total light output of 1000 lumens as a rule of thumb. As a result, if you want to stay safe while night diving, you'll need a brighter torch.
Torches with 20,000 lumens have been seen, but the average is around 2000 to 5000 lumens. If you're scuba diving in low light, the brightest divers light you can find is essential for safe diving.
The temptation is to spend as little money as possible on your dive light due to the risks of kit damage when submerged underwater. However, keep in mind that if you're on a night dive and your light fails, the consequences can be disastrous. As a result, we recommend a high-quality primary and dependable backup. When it comes to most equipment, you generally get what you pay for.
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