Diving Torch

[ManLiz]

Hello all

Requesting some opinions/reviews on 3 dive torch choices I have (I need to get one). It's second first dive torch (first one was a piece of sh*t as it was a cheap one, light dispersed so much it didn't illuminate a thing). I am only an OW diver, soon to undertake AoW.
1. Nitecore DL30 1100 Lumen Rechargeable Dive Light - this is chunky and says it has a spot beam angle of 3 degrees
2. XTAR D20 1000 Lumen - this is very petite and the beam angle isn't mentioned on the box.
3. ACEBEAM D20 2.0 2200 Lumen - this is petite and has a beam angle of 5 degrees

Thanks. I have read the reviews online but it's not making it easier so thought I would ask here.

 

[Valerii Vakshul]

ACEBEAM D20 2.0 2200 Lumen
Smooth reflector giving a smooth long-range beam of 13 degrees

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

Have you considered one of these? They're what I use. 6 degree beam, 5000 lumens, about an hour of battery life, uses a super common 18650 battery, and costs under $40. I've used my current set for several months, and so far at least they have yet to fail.

Edit: The link isn't wanting to show. Look up windfire 5000 lumen dive light, should show up on Amazon.

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

Also, of the ones you listed, I'd go with the Xtar. Diving is a sport where things can get dropped, cracked, or flooded no matter how expensive they are, so for something like a dive light, unless I have a good reason to think the more expensive one will do better/last longer, I buy the cheapest, so I can buy more of them. Three $40 lights beats one $120 light hands down in my mind.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Depends what you want to do with the torch.

My main use for a torch is getting my buddies attention during daytime, and peering into nooks, so a small 'backup' size, narrow beam (5-6* max) and >1000 lumens is needed. Avoid torches with many annoying modes to switch through (such as strobe or sos: Chinese manufacturers seem to love adding such gimmicks) - just have on, off and maybe low power, with a bomb-proof switch. Easy recharging is a bonus. I found a Diverite BX2 great for this, but sadly replaced it when it died after 10 years and hundreds of dives with an Orcatorch (which is well made and same price or cheaper than some of your options). Backup lights get a lot of abuse, so I would go with a decent brand that can handle the knocks.

If you wish to use it mostly for night diving then get a torch that has a wider beam and a low power setting (500 lumens or less) or red light mode so you don't fry the sleeping inhabitants. I would go with a small focus/video light such as the X-adventurer M1500, which can be useful if you ever get into photography or video.

Of your options - the Nitecore is too large to be a backup (16.5 x 4.7 cm , the Acebeam (never heard of them) beam is too wide (9*) and while the Xtar is small and has a decent switch there's no beam info. Personally I would just get a diverite bx2, cx3 or orcatorch.


Cheers
Rohan.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Xtar makes good lights, none of mine have failed yet. I can sell most Orcatorch products for ~ 20% off (shameless plug) in the US. I can ship outside of the US but normally shipping / customs make it not worth it.

Also, of the ones you listed, I'd go with the Xtar. Diving is a sport where things can get dropped, cracked, or flooded no matter how expensive they are, so for something like a dive light, unless I have a good reason to think the more expensive one will do better/last longer, I buy the cheapest, so I can buy more of them. Three $40 lights beats one $120 light hands down in my mind.

A good $120 will outlast the $40 lights hands down. I have dropped, kicked, bumped just about all my lights and they just keep on working. I can get the D710 shipped anywhere in the US for $130. Great starter light, great back up light.

Dive gear express also make good entry level lights that won't break the bank. Great company.

 

[lexvil]

XTar are good

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

A good $120 will outlast the $40 lights hands down. I have dropped, kicked, bumped just about all my lights and they just keep on working. I can get the D710 shipped anywhere in the US for $130. Great starter light, great back up light.

I honestly don't know. My current lights were $40 each, 5000 lumens, and last about an hour. They have yet to fail or flood, knock on wood, so to me, that's worth a lot more than one $120 light. Additionally, if a given light lasts a third as long as a $120 light, I'm coming out even or ahead. The last thing to note is simply that I like knowing that, say, if my dive helmet should get dislodged in the river, I'm down $120 for three cheap lights, rather than $360 for three expensive ones. It's never happened, and I hope it never does, but a cheap light I can actually use. One of those $2000 canister lights, for example, I'd be too scared of messing up to let it get wet

(yes, a more expensive light might have a wider beam, allowing me to use fewer of them, but for the dark diving I do, you want a narrow beam for penetrating power, and having redundancy is also nice. Batteries will inevitable not last as long as they should sometimes, and when one torch goes dark, having others that still work is nice.)

In the end, to each their own. I'm still in grad school, so money's a concern for me. When I graduate and have money, I probably will look in to high end cannister lights, because why not?

 

[rob.mwpropane]

I honestly don't know. My current lights were $40 each, 5000 lumens, and last about an hour. They have yet to fail or flood, knock on wood, so to me, that's worth a lot more than one $120 light. Additionally, if a given light lasts a third as long as a $120 light, I'm coming out even or ahead. The last thing to note is simply that I like knowing that, say, if my dive helmet should get dislodged in the river, I'm down $120 for three cheap lights, rather than $360 for three expensive ones. It's never happened, and I hope it never does, but a cheap light I can actually use. One of those $2000 canister lights, for example, I'd be too scared of messing up to let it get wet

From me Orcatorch canister light, good quality. D630 2.0 $460 shipped to your door. No need to spend $1000's!

To each his own as far as the lights go.. yours are not 5000 lumens (but smaller lights ALL lie about that, even Orcatorch). One of my favorite dive lights in the beginning was an Xtar D26, still works flawless to this day. I think it was $54 on ebay, worked great. But again, Xtar is a pretty good light. They've gone up in price since then.

If I was a brand new diver I'd be looking at DGX, Orcatorch, Xtar (in that order). At the end of the day you will end up with a box full of dive lights if you stick with it.

(yes, a more expensive light might have a wider beam, allowing me to use fewer of them, but for the dark diving I do, you want a narrow beam for penetrating power, and having redundancy is also nice. Batteries will inevitable not last as long as they should sometimes, and when one torch goes dark, having others that still work is nice.)

In the end, to each their own. I'm still in grad school, so money's a concern for me. When I graduate and have money, I probably will look in to high end cannister lights, because why not?

I completely understand, I am about as cheap as they come (you can ask anyone on here, lol).

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

@rob.mwpropane That's a temping offer, and the specs on the light look darn near perfect. Next time I come into some money to burn, I might just give you a call.