Out of topic here @Nando Diver, we are all about cheap light here 😆

And if we compare the good light for 6/700 $, we can buy 10 times the cheap one for the same price 😆

On 10/16/2024 at 11:19 PM, Nando Diver said:

Lights, Camera, Action...like they say in Hollywood 

 

Angles, CRI/RA, flooding, corrosion, inaccurate lumens output, dubious quality control... and some cheap chinese dive lights will dimm faster over time.

 

Get one good dive light once, buy a cheap light at least twice.

 

 

Well, I usually would agree you, but in this case, at least with the torches that I have linked, not . I have one of that torches for about long 4 years and still working fine. I know it doesn't give 20.000 lumen, the color temperature it's not bad, but everytining always can improve, and the batteries are 4x18650, an standar nowadays.

I had torches that I paid more than 400 euros than lasted just two years. My dive buddy had two Sola, he paid 800 euros each some years ago. Those ones lasted 2 years, after that time they flooded and the factory simply said that were out of warranty.

15 hours ago, atus said:

Well, I usually would agree you, but in this case, at least with the torches that I have linked, not . I have one of that torches for about long 4 years and still working fine. I know it doesn't give 20.000 lumen, the color temperature it's not bad, but everytining always can improve, and the batteries are 4x18650, an standar nowadays.

I had torches that I paid more than 400 euros than lasted just two years. My dive buddy had two Sola, he paid 800 euros each some years ago. Those ones lasted 2 years, after that time they flooded and the factory simply said that were out of warranty.

 

The 20.000 lumens torch link from aliexpress you posted  the dive light doesnt even have a brand name, the same torch design also sell on amazon.es and its 8000 lumens advertized, https://www.amazon.es/-/pt/dp/B07FTHDDXN/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

 

Its 99€, but at least there we can read the reviews, and even with 5 stars reviews they mention its not for video or photography, let alone the 1 and 2 stars that the dive light failed miserable after first dives.

 

If you buy this torch frequently, get a led lux meter (40€)  at least you know what you getting. 

 

https://www.amazon.es/-/pt/dp/B0D8J49K1P/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2ZZKI1GMEMLJJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QAgSKC2--QTheomQZrmS07qOBxEVXHz3je_lKH_LqAo9LjJCgg_CDTNMOUd65oQf5bANxeadZdOuOGifgymrguFk2EDW6yc5OzKDou658IGlSM8-vmxyp7p7tf9pOSaRoj2WHlZ_HbLkRvoWdTTwwvZnvHiA9sRjyqW2KGdGmuX4tkh9QLmvntiY_C74euT_vHXUlK0oRUy5RRKwRA-DcYhYvpGk4hdegahNVT-AqbUMHV1DkYwUFISddXApI3tNlhJKi9fRcbtWDJT1va47ypFFvGmvVl3el7xmLYQP0Tg.Cc08J48U4RZPMzEsDBXVdDDQd4_87fvcvtwVlrQ1LWU&dib_tag=se&keywords=led+light+meter&qid=1729322245&sprefix=led+light+meter%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 19, 20241 yr by Nando Diver

My suptig also never flooded, never broke down, its sturdy, durable, very light, battery last almost 2hours and was very cheap... 

But that doesn't make good dive light for video or photography, let alone night dive its useless....Its perfect if you want to blind/cook sea life 

Its money wasted sitting here in Dive gear Memory box....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 10/19/2024 at 8:42 AM, Nando Diver said:

 

The 20.000 lumens torch link from aliexpress you posted  the dive light doesnt even have a brand name, the same torch design also sell on amazon.es and its 8000 lumens advertized, https://www.amazon.es/-/pt/dp/B07FTHDDXN/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

 

Its 99€, but at least there we can read the reviews, and even with 5 stars reviews they mention its not for video or photography, let alone the 1 and 2 stars that the dive light failed miserable after first dives.

 

If you buy this torch frequently, get a led lux meter (40€)  at least you know what you getting. 

 

https://www.amazon.es/-/pt/dp/B0D8J49K1P/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2ZZKI1GMEMLJJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QAgSKC2--QTheomQZrmS07qOBxEVXHz3je_lKH_LqAo9LjJCgg_CDTNMOUd65oQf5bANxeadZdOuOGifgymrguFk2EDW6yc5OzKDou658IGlSM8-vmxyp7p7tf9pOSaRoj2WHlZ_HbLkRvoWdTTwwvZnvHiA9sRjyqW2KGdGmuX4tkh9QLmvntiY_C74euT_vHXUlK0oRUy5RRKwRA-DcYhYvpGk4hdegahNVT-AqbUMHV1DkYwUFISddXApI3tNlhJKi9fRcbtWDJT1va47ypFFvGmvVl3el7xmLYQP0Tg.Cc08J48U4RZPMzEsDBXVdDDQd4_87fvcvtwVlrQ1LWU&dib_tag=se&keywords=led+light+meter&qid=1729322245&sprefix=led+light+meter%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, it's your opinion. I have 2 of them, and almost 4 of my partners have it also. We all also use it in night dives (medium power, full power is too much for me in a night dive) the ones who run video use it to lit the scene and the ones who takes pictures like me, use it as a focus light. I don't see any reason to buy it from Amazon for double the price. And I don't need to read any opinion in Amazon. I have my own experience over the years with this torch. Trust me, for 40-50 euros you won't find anything better. I have no idea the real power they give, but for sure more than the 800 euros Sola torches. I would probably buy this lux meter just for couriosity, even I don't trust a lot in a 40 euros lux meter 😉

I'm wondering if anyone has any updates on the info in this thread. I'm interested in cheap lights for a downline (bonfire / blackwater diving), but I keep stumbling on battery life and longevity, which are major weak points of these cheap lights. If you factor in buying good 3×21700 cells for each light, it does add up.

The other issue is that they don't have constant output, so hanging them on a line would mean a constant drop in illumination over the 2 hours or so they're on.

Realistically, for a pair of lights, I need 4,000 to 6,000 lumens per light, offering a decent illumination for 2 hours.

I've looked into Leton Power lights (the "12,000-lumen" and "8,000-lumen" models), but they're still expensive for what they are.

Rechargeable LED fishing lights are better value (but have no beam), although the ergonomics aren't great (no underwater switch, just a remote that has to be left on the surface).

Update on my experiences:

Out of the two warranty replacement Seafrog Mk-02s one broke in one week or so of use. I still have one, but have not used it much. Seafrogs has made several new models since then (all more expensive, roughly the same capability). If someone has used those, it would be interesting to hear of the reliability. My brand expectation for Seafrogs is now very negative.

I have been happy (enough) with LetonPower 4*18650 unit as my primary GoPro light. One had problems with machining quality of battery compartment, but all in all they have been reliable enough. They have similar 3*21700 model as well (and units with usb-c charging which I do not want to have).

One of the three Archon units with single 18650 battery got broken electronics (probably due to physical hit in rough weather shore entry). Two still going strong after all the years. I ordered one Wurkkos DL08 to test as possible upgrade; slightly larger 21700 battery and more powerful LEDs. Not received that one yet.

43 minutes ago, Jukka-Pekka Salmenkaita said:

Out of the two warranty replacement Seafrog Mk-02s one broke in one week or so of use. I still have one, but have not used it much. Seafrogs has made several new models since then (all more expensive, roughly the same capability). If someone has used those, it would be interesting to hear of the reliability. My brand expectation for Seafrogs is now very negative.

Which model is it?

A friend of mine bought two of latest hi-power Sea Frogs. Everything ok so far but we will see in the long run.

I've seen the more expensive Weefine equivalent and the mechanical quality is gorgeous as my monitor but I didn't have the chance to test their light underwater.

As an update, I now have 2 Wurkkos DL40 for bonfire diving (I wanted beam lights to point out, Japanese "light trap" style). Quality is ok, as is power/battery life (they use two 26650 batteries per light). I contacted Wurkkos to buy from them directly but they were unable to match Wurkkos Aliexpress prices shipped.
This seems to be a constant with Chinese brands btw, the "official store" on Aliexpress (eg. Seafrog) is cheaper shipped than the manufacturer's website price / direct.

We'll see how long they last.

4 hours ago, Davide DB said:

Which model is it?

A friend of mine bought two of latest hi-power Sea Frogs. Everything ok so far but we will see in the long run.

I've seen the more expensive Weefine equivalent and the mechanical quality is gorgeous as my monitor but I didn't have the chance to test their light underwater.

One thing to look out for is that, for regular users (say, diving more than once a week), Weefine and Kraken products are indeed well made and do work well (despite some design quirks like button ergonomics), but unfortunately they do not seem to last very long.

I've had repeated issues with Kraken Hydras, as have a lot of other users I've met, and unfortunately they are not really reliable in the long run.The first year or year and a half is fine, but after that repeated button issues, electronics issues, and leaks are quite common. It's as if the material used for some parts is just not resistant enough for regular underwater use. And this is comming from someone who does everything he can to maintain his equipment.
Seafrogs product seem very similar in design, but in a slightly lower quality tier from what I've seen, so this could be even worse.

It's annoying because I really like Kraken and Weefine products, and the price is acceptable, but if you have to factor in a longevity/reliability of under two years, pricing becomes unviable unless you're sponsored by them for replacements.

Edited July 30Jul 30 by bghazzal

9 hours ago, Davide DB said:

Which model is it?

The problematic Seafrogs Mk-02 looks like this Mk-01, https://seafrogs.com/collections/underwater-video-light/products/sea-frogs-scuba-underwater-diving-torch-mk-01, except battery is 4*18650 and I think there is bit more power. This Mk-70, https://seafrogs.com/collections/underwater-video-light/products/sea-frogs-sf-70-underwater-video-light-7000-lumen, is probably the direct successor model. If they would get reliability in place these could be great (even with increased price points).

I know someone who is quite happy with his lower tier Letonpower 15000lm lights. Definitely not constant output or high CRI but the price was right for a casual videographer.