Lights / Torches

Scuba diving underwater torches and dive lights can be vital, especially when deep diving or cave diving. As you get further below the water's surface your surroundings become dark due to the depth you are at. A diving torch allows you to see exactly what lies ahead of you when your eyes fail to do so. Crucial in certain dive situations such as diving expeditions without natural light, a dive torch could be the only source to allow you to see your surroundings and help avoid any unwanted accidents when in unfamiliar territories.

Dive lights also come in handy when you need to check your compass or another un-illuminated piece of important equipment. Scuba diving torches can also be used to communicate between buddies and get there attention while exploring the ocean's depths.

We strongly recommend you take a dive light along with you on every dive you undertake. Even if it is just a tropical daytime dive, most experienced divers will have a small pocket torch which allows them to shine it either in a nook or overhang at certain fishes bringing their colours alive!

Some divers prefer a rechargeable torch. Although they are slightly more expensive than the conventional battery torch they do not require new batteries after a couple of dives, so can be more economical in the long run. Some rechargeable dive lights such as the Light and Motion range can be charged without opening the torch eliminating all risk of flooding.

At The Scuba Doctor dive shop we hold a large selection of dive torches and dive light accessories to assist you when diving, from well-known dive brands including: Atorch, Dive Perfect, i-Torch, Finnsub, Intova, Light and Motion, Light Monkey, OrcaTorch, Tektite, Tovatech and Underwater Kinetics.

How do you figure it all out? Give us a call or an email if you have any questions on lighting. We'll be happy to help you sort it out.

Tech Tip:
Rechargeable Battery Chemistry for Dive Lights
— Nickle Metal Hydride vs Lithium Ion

• NiMH Chemistry — Nickle Metal Hydride is a proven rechargeable battery technology widely used in dive lights for years that offers the advantage of lower cost, and most importantly no transport restrictions. The NiMH battery charge must be 'topped up' every 3 to 6 months if idle for extended periods or the battery can self discharge such that it will no longer charge to full capacity.
• Li-ion Chemistry — Lithium-ion is an emerging rechargeable battery technology that offers the advantage of longer burn times and almost zero self discharge, but there are safety concerns with Li-ion chemistry batteries. The transport of Li-ion batteries is sometimes a logistics hassle, especially with near universal restrictions on passenger aircraft.

If you need to travel with your dive light by passenger aircraft we recommend choosing NiMH battery chemistry. Their burn time is more than enough for most diving, they cost less and you don't have to worry about your dive light starting a fire.