Primary Dive Light

Frequently asked questions

How many lumens do I actually need in a primary dive light?

For recreational night diving in warm, clear tropical water, 500 to 1000 lumens is effective — enough to see clearly 4 to 6 metres ahead and illuminate reef life at close range. For Canadian lake diving where visibility is often reduced and particulate in the water creates backscatter that limits effective range, 1000 to 2000 lumens is more practical. For cave or wreck penetration, higher output helps in larger spaces. The key is matching output to your conditions and dive style. Higher lumens always help, but burn time at the stated output matters equally — confirm the light runs at its rated output for the full duration of your typical dive before relying on it for a night dive.

What is the difference between a canister light and a handheld primary dive light?

A canister light separates the battery pack from the light head — the canister clips to the BCD or tank and a cable runs to the light head, which is typically handheld or mounted on a Goodman handle. Canister lights generally produce higher output and longer burn times than all-in-one handheld lights because the larger canister can house a bigger battery. They are the standard for cave and technical diving. All-in-one handheld primary lights are more compact and simpler — the battery is integrated in the same unit as the head. For recreational night diving and occasional wreck and reef exploration, an all-in-one primary light in the 1000 to 3000 lumen range handles most applications without the complexity of a separate canister and cable system.

Should I buy a rechargeable primary dive light or one that uses disposable batteries?

For divers who dive regularly from a home base or boat with reliable charging access, a rechargeable primary light is more economical long-term and eliminates the need to carry spare batteries. The critical discipline is confirming the light is fully charged before every dive. For travel divers who may not have reliable power at every destination — liveaboards, remote dive sites, or destinations with incompatible voltage — a light that accepts standard disposable batteries provides absolute reliability as long as you carry fresh cells. Several lights in our range use rechargeable battery packs with a backup adapter for standard batteries, which is the most practical travel configuration: charge when you can, use disposables when you cannot.

What beam angle should a primary dive light have?

A primary dive light should have a focused narrow or spot beam — typically 10 to 20 degrees — that concentrates the light into a tight column that penetrates further into the water, illuminates inside crevices and inside wreck spaces at range, and cuts through reduced visibility more effectively than a wide beam. A wide beam on a primary light diffuses the output over too large an area to be useful for seeing ahead at distance, and creates significant backscatter in any water with suspended particulate. If you want one light that works for both diving and video, look for lights with selectable beam angles that switch between spot and flood modes.