Exploring the depths of the ocean is one of the world’s most fascinating experiences. It’s a unique and exciting adventure where you get to discover the most beautiful and mysterious creatures and wrecks that lie beneath the surface. However, diving safely requires a combination of skills, knowledge, and – among many other things – high-quality gear that can give you optimal clarity in the water. In this blog post, we’ll help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing the best scuba diving lights by providing you with a detailed guide of features, benefits, and recommendations.
Underwater Light Types
Primary Dive Lights
Primary dive lights are your traditional, powerful scuba diving lights equipped with durable batteries and LED bulbs capable of reaching up to 1,000 lumens. They can be handheld or wrist-mounted, and they’re primarily used for illuminating open waters. Keep in mind, though, that a primary dive light would need to be backed up and there are different features, like back-up lights or strobes, to consider.
Backup Dive Lights
Backup dive lights, or secondary lights, are less powerful, typically reaching between 100-400 lumens. While these dive lights may not provide as much brightness as primary lights, they do come in handy in case of emergency or failure in the primary light. They’re generally designed to be small and compact and can be clipped onto your BCD to be easily accessible.
Dive Light Accessories
There are several accessory options that are available to help divers customize their dive lights more effectively. Red filters are useful in preserving fish and sea plants that are sensitive to light. Blue filters, known as fluorescence filters, are ideal for spotting corals that emit a unique blue hue. Bungee cords and Goodman handles provide convenient mounting and handling options.
Dive Light Beam Types
Wide-Beam Dive Lights
Wide-beam dive lights are great for illuminating a greater area and are perfect for tasks that require perfect visibility over a large space like examining the bottom of a shipwreck.
Narrow-Beam Dive Lights
Narrow-beam dive lights feature a spotlight-like beam that illuminates a concentrated area. Narrow-beam dive lights are useful when a diver is looking to spot marine life, and even more helpful when that marine life is hiding in tight spaces.
Adjustable-Beam Dive Lights
These lights come with a feature that allows the beam to be adjusted based on the demands of the dive mission. Some models offer the ability to adjust the beam focus, filtering out unwanted glare by narrowing the beam.
Dive Light Power Source
Rechargeable Dive Lights
Modern scuba light technology has given us rechargeable dive lights, which have an environmentally friendly reputation and are more cost-effective than single-use batteries in the long run.
Battery-Operated Dive Lights
Battery-powered dive lights offer more power since they don’t rely on the charge and have the benefit of a long lifespan outside of being submerged in water.
Diving is a beautiful and amazing experience, yet performing such an activity in low-lit water conditions is dangerous. The safety of scuba diving depends heavily on visibility, and that’s why choosing the right diving flashlight is so crucial for our underwater expeditions. Primary and backup dive lights, beam types, lens filters, power sources, and additional accessories – all these aspects should be taken into consideration when deciding on the best scuba diving light. Remember that the diving flashlight you choose should fit your needs and better your diving experience while keeping you safe in any situation you find yourself in while underwater. We hope this comprehensive guide has been helpful, and happy diving!