Choosing a Dive LightOnce you realize that a dive light can make a useful addition to your dive arsenal, the next step is choosing which dive light is best for you. Choosing a Dive Light for Open Water DiversThere are two main reasons for an open water diver to want a dive light.One is to see inside crevices and under ledges and the other is to bring back lost color. For this type of diver the best light is something small that’ll fit in a BC pocket. You won’t be using the light throughout the entire dive, so it doesn’t make sense to have to carry a big honkin’ flashlight everywhere. A good example of this kind of light is the Underwater Kinetic mini pocket light. However, if you want the best bang for your buck, get a high intensity discharge light (HID). They’re a little bit more expensive, but these lights pack a punch! You’ll get all of your lost colors back and HID lights are powerful enough to illuminate the deepest crevice. Choosing a Dive Light for Night DiversWhen you’re going on a night dive, you’ll be holding your light throughout the dive so you can purchase something more substantial than the light I recommended for an open water diver.Something similar to an Underwater Kinetic Sunlight D4 Xenon will work well for a primary night diving light. You can always use your open water light as a backup. When you’re diving at night you want your light to be bright enough so you can see, but not so bright that it scares away the nocturnal life you’re trying to observe. A good little technique is to slowly pan your dive light across the reef while watching the outer edge of your beam. Chances are you’ll see some things that would have otherwise disappeared if you trained your beam directly on it. Remember that when it comes to dive lights, more powerful isn’t always better. Choosing a Dive Light for Overhead Environment DiversThis is where buying a dive light really gets fun!Wreck divers and Cave divers need a high powered, reliable light. The lights of choice generally have large battery packs that attach to your dive tank. A cord then connects the pack to the light. When choosing a dive light for this type of diving, a reputation for quality is extremely important. One of the best makers of technical equipment is Dive Rite. A good choice for wreck or cave diving would be the Dive Rite 24 watt HID system. High intensity discharge lights really light up either a wreck or a cave system to the point where you might just forget you’re in an overhead environment! There are many dive lights you can choose when you go out to buy. Make sure you discuss your needs with your local dive shop operator. They’ll be happy to help you choose a light that will brighten your dives for years to come. Return to Underwater Diving Equipment Home Page.
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