We offer two broad classes of hand held LED dive lights:

Lights used to backup a primary technical diving canister light - these must be ultra reliable and have a tight focus for as much punch as possible with their light output. Used for this purpose, the backup light should never be loaded with rechargeable batteries because rechargeables are not as reliable and have an unpredictable discharge curve.

Lights used as a sport diving lights - these less expensive lights typically have a lower light output with a wider focus. Many experienced divers still prefer the tight focus versions even for sport diving, especially in low visibility conditions. Some sport lights can be configured with rechargeable cells, but if a rechargeable will be used as a night diving primary light we recommend taking a backup.

Of course it is not that simple, as low-cost high-output LED technology has blurred the line between the various classes of lights. For example, most of our technical diving backups can also serve as excellent sport diving primaries. It can be difficult to choose among these lights from the specifications alone, so to help we have some actual side by side comparison photos with discussion...

to see Beam Comparisons our LED lights.

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1-2 Weeks

$125.00

I-Torch Advance-B LED Light

The Advance-B backup light from I-Torch LED Lights is based on a 5W next generation high output LED with a color temperature of 5600K and 10,000 hour life. The { 7.5 in |19.05 cm } long body is made out of anodized aluminum with a high efficiency lens. The 250 lumens of brightness and { 330 fsw | 100 msw } depth rating makes this hand held light a great technical backup or sport primary. The double o-ring seal with twist on activation means there are no switches to fail and it also has an excellent new attachment point for tying a bolt snap. We really like the ergonomic grip which is easy to handle underwater, even with gloves on. The Advance-B offers a burn time of 3 hours using three included "AA" size alkaline batteries, widely available and easy to replace.

We really liked this light but it was a little garish for tech divers - silver color with purple trim - so we asked I-Torch to do our version in an all black anodized color. They still ship it with the purple o-ring trim but we include a set of black trim o-rings (pictured) so you have a choice. The high quality lens and bright light output makes the tight beam from the I-Torch Advance-B one of our favorite choices as a technical backup, and it is also our recommendation as an excellent sport diving primary light.

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In Stock

$164.99

Light Monkey 3W LED Backup Light

The Light Monkey 3W LED Backup Dive Light is machined from a solid rod of delrin in a robust yet simple design, small enough to clip off, yet large enough to hold comfortably. A tight 8-degree beam angle offers tight focus for signaling and 125 system lumens, yet the 3 C-cell batteries provide ample brightness for exploration diving as well as 10 hours of burn time. The Light Monkey Backup Light is { 1.75 in | 4.5 cm } diameter at the bezel and { 8 in | 20.3 cm } long. It features a double o-ring seal and a depth rating of { 500 ft |152 m }.

Please note that the batteries are not oriented in the LM 3W light as you would typically expect. The standard C-cells are loaded with the positive button end facing away from the lamp toward the rear of the light.

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In Stock

$119.95

Hollis LED5 Handheld Torch

The Hollis LED5 handheld is a 5W, 260 lumen dive light with a concentrated 8-degree beam and a custom aluminum reflector. The single OSRAM Opto Semiconductor 5W LED is powered with three C alkaline batteries (not included), and has an 8-hour burn time. The LED5 features double o-ring seals, a custom aluminum reflector, and a sturdy rear tie-point for the included lanyard or a boltsnap. The { 8.11 in by 1.81 in | 20.6 cm by 4.6 cm } anodized aluminum body is depth rated to { 650 ft | 198 m }. The head assembly is the switch. Unscrew the head, install the batteries and screw the head on clockwise until it stops - at this point the light is in the "ON" position. To turn off the light, turn the head counter clockwise approximately one-quarter turn and no more than one full turn ONLY. Dry weight of the LED5 with batteries is { 1.2 lb | 0.54 kg }. The LED5 light should only be used in water.

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In Stock

Sale!
$99.95
$89.95

Hollis LED3 Handheld Torch

Featuring an 3W LED providing a 230 lumen, 8-degree beam, the Hollis LED3 Handheld Light is from Hollis Gear. The LED3 offers a 6-hour burn time, and uses three AA alkaline batteries (not included) in a supplied carrier. Double o-ring seals provide extra protection against leaks, and spare o-rings are included. The LED3 has a PMMA reflector, and a rear tie-point for the included lanyard or a boltsnap. The heavy duty body is fashioned from anodized aluminum, measures { 5.78 in by 1.97 in |
14.7 cm by 5 cm }, and is depth rated to { 650 ft | 198 m }. The rear cap is the switch. Remove the rear cap, install the battery carrier and turn the rear cap clockwise until it stops - at this point the light is in the "OFF" position. To activate the light, turn the rear cap counter clockwise approximately one-quarter turn and no more than one full turn ONLY. Dry weight of the LED3 with batteries is { 0.9 lb | 0.41 kg }. The LED3 light should only be used in water.

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In Stock

$74.95

Hollis LED Mini3 Backup Light

For divers seeking a high output light in a compact pocket version, the Hollis Mini3 LED Backup Light Hollis Gear packs a lot of punch into a small package. The 3W LED has a 210 lumen output in a concentrated
8-degree beam. The Mini3 also features double o-ring seals for extra protection against leaks, and spare o-rings are included. The beam intensity and pattern of the Mini3 is virtually identical to that of the LED3, but the Mini3 uses three AAA alkaline batteries (not included) that fit into a supplied carrier and provide a 4-hour burn time. Depth rated to { 650 ft | 198 m }, the compact body is fashioned from anodized aluminum and has a rear tie-point for the included lanyard or a boltsnap. The Mini3 measures { 4.8 in by 1.6 in | 12.2 cm by 4.1 cm } and its dry weight with batteries is { 0.5 lb | 0.23 kg }. Like the LED3, the rear cap is the switch and operates the same way. The Mini3 light should only be used in water.

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In Stock

$84.00

I-Torch Tek LED Light, Black

The I-Torch TEK uses an electronics driven LED and special lens to give it a very tightly focused narrow beam, which delivers more features and better results compared to the typical resistor driven LED and reflector found in entry level backup lights. The next generation 3W high output LED provides 200 lumens in 4 hours of burn time at the full power setting; the Tek also features one-half and one-quarter power settings that can deliver up to 10 hours of burn time. There are two more special power settings, a one-second strobe and an automatic SOS emergency signal. Depth rated to { 330 fsw | 100 msw }, the durable coated polycarbonate case has heavy rubber bumpers around the lens and the rear of the light. The case features twist on activation, a double o-ring seal, and a bezel design that prevents inadvertent activation due to pressure at depth. The I-Torch Tek has an excellent hard point for tying a bolt snap and the shorter { 6.5 in | 16.5 cm } case also makes it a good choice as a pocket light. The Tek is powered by six widely available "AAA" size alkaline batteries that are included along with a free lanyard.

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In Stock

Sale!
$69.95
$59.95

TovaTec Ultra LED Torch by Intova

The Intova Ultra LED backup light is larger, { 7.9 in | 20.1 cm } long by
{ 1.9 in | 4.8 cm } in diameter, and weighs more, { 1 lb 1.2 oz | 0.49 kg }, than the Nova handheld light to give it a solid and comfortable feel. The ultrabright 220 lumen CREE LED produces a concentrated 14-degree beam, which is tight enough for signaling yet provides long range illumination. The Ultra features an anodized aluminum body, a double o-ring seal, and a 3 position magnetic tail switch for full power, reduced (30%) power and emergency strobe function. It is rated to { 400 ft | 122 m } and has an attachment point on the tail for a bolt snap or the included wrist lanyard. The Ultra runs on 6 AA batteries (not included) that provide 7 hours of burn time at full power. Note: Recently Intova began transitioning to branding their dive lights as 'TovaTec'.

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In Stock

Sale!
$59.95
$46.81

TovaTec Nova LED Torch by Intova

One of our most popular handheld lights, the Intova Nova LED backup light has a CREE 4.7W LED that delivers 220 lumens. The narrow angle 12° concentrated beam reflector produces a very tight beam with a lot of punch for its light output. Providing 10 hours of burn time, the light has an anodized aluminum body rated to { 400 ft | 122 m} and a magnetic switch that can not leak because it doesn't penetrate the body. It has an attachment point for a bolt snap and includes a lanyard. At { 6.25 in | 15.8 cm } long by { 1.5 in | 3.8 cm } in diameter and { 0.5 lb | 0.23 kg } weight including batteries, the light fits easily in pocket or clipped onto a harness D-ring. Powered by two CR123A photo batteries that are included in the package along with a free belt holster. Note: Recently Intova began transitioning to branding their dive lights as 'TovaTec'.

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On Order

$20.00

Disabled

Dive Mini-light by Aquatec

At Dive Gear Express we have seen plenty of dive lights and frankly it takes a lot to impress us, but the Aquatec LED-1700 mini-light immediately caught our attention when we first saw it. Make no mistake, this is not a toy; relative to its size, this tiny LED flashlight is amazingly intense with a very tight beam. Take a look at the beam example at left, photographed in a darkened room at { 6 ft | 2 m }, the beam has a very crisp edge and fully illuminates the standard size cola can.

The Aquatec LED-1700 has an anodized black aluminum body incorporating a double O-ring seal rated to { 393 ft | 120 m } depth. It has a light intensity of 60,000 millicandelas with a burn time of 3 hours on a single AAA alkaline battery (8 hours until it goes out) and we include a battery so the light is good-to-go right out of the package. The concentrated beam reflector produces a very tight beam with a lot of punch for its light output.

At { 4 in | 10 cm } long by { 5/8 in | 1.6 cm } in diameter and { 1 oz | 30 g } weight including battery, the light fits easily just about anywhere (helmet?, focus light on your camera?, up the sleeve of your wetsuit?) and includes a clever stainless steel clip for attaching the light to a mask strap. It also has an attachment point at the base for an included lanyard. Finally, the price is right... so you can easily afford a pair of these versatile dive lights.

Tek Tip Tek Tip Symbol

Candela vs Lumen

The unit of measure commonly used to describe the intensity small LEDs is the millicandela (mcd), 1000 millicandela equals 1 Candela. The Candela rating is an expressioin of how much light is produced as measured at the light source. The candela is the Luminous Intensity, in a given direction, of a source of monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 x 1012 hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt per steradian.

The unit of measure commonly used for most other light sources is the Lumen. Lumens are units of Luminous Flux and they measure how much light actually falls on a surface. The Lumens from a light source is equal to the Luminous Intensity (Candelas) multiplied by the solid angle over which the light is emitted, taking into account the varying intensities in different directions. Because of the variations of beam intensity by direction in LEDs, as a practical matter there is no straight forward way to mathematically convert between Candelas and Lumens.

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