Test Diving Chinese Dive Lights From Securitylng

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

I got an OrcaTorch for a third of cost canister lights. Now there is a dealer network in place I am glad I got it; Great review!!!!!

[@MikeDodds]

Yep…. I’ll be sticking with my Orca Torch lights!!!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @ivoryjohnson4662, the OrcaTorch D520 is still one of my favorites. As a matter of a fact, it will be in Mexico with me next week.

[@timgosling6189]

A friend bought a Chinese-made mini video light that fitted next to his GoPro. It looked neat, sealed for life, rechargeable and certified to 170 feet. It lasted 3 dives to 130 feet and then failed. Oddly it failed 'On', ie it wouldn't turn off. It took 3 hours to run out of power and then he threw it away. But for $30 it wasn't a great loss. I guess you do get what you pay for.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Very true @timgosling6189, sorry to hear that your friend had a bad experience with his Chinese-made mini video light. I have bought some bad lights myself that were Chinese made, and then again, I've bought some awesome Chinese made lights from OrcaTorch. For me personally, I like a light from a manufacture that is going to provide support when I need it. Needless to say, I have a stock pile of lights that I consider throw aways and that is exactly what I do with them when they fail. It should be noted though, I have also bout some very expensive lights as well, that failed just as easily. Unfortunately, the manufacture had discontinued those models and would not support them, so they got thrown away as well.

[@timgosling6189]

@@LakeHickoryScuba He now has an Orca D630, which is working very well. Hope you have a great New Year.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks @timgosling6189, I fly out with the family first thing in the morning to Cozumel, so we will spending New Years in the tropics. Hope you have a great one as well.

[@kevindavison6019]

I have 2 lights from this company a smaller 1500 lm that takes a sigle 26650. It works well however after about 30 dives the switch failed and the light won't turn off unless I unsrew the head slightly. I have another larger multifunction video light that takes four 18650 bateries and includes a red and UV function for night diving. it is super bright. and works well for video within about 6 ft during the day and 20 ft at night. The price point is excellent for an average quality product. It is tough to spend $3-700 on a light that I might use a dozen times a year especially when I am not a professional and don't really know the features that i will use the most.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @kevindavison6019, thank you for sharing your experience with this manufacture. You make a great point about spending money on lights that only get used for a short amount of time. This is something we stress to our Night Diving Students. Just because its an expensive light does not mean its the right light for everyone. My go to light for most of the diving I do only retails at $125 and it operates on 3 double A batteries. It has yet to fail me, and I have several of them that I prefer.

[@darrenwesthead7667]

I use the Tovatec t3500s and it's spot on for my requirements.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @darrenwesthead7667, I have the Tovatec Merra Flashlight Camera, and have used it for several years.

[@epathchina]

Great! Thank for your review!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Glad you liked the review @epathchina.

[@D.H.CE_FL]

I ordered a couple super cheap ~$12 lights off Ali Express as loaners and also just to see how bad a $12 light could be. So far I've had good luck with them, other than they only have 1 setting and the slide switch turns on way too easy. Not bad for loaners though! I do like these lights in your video though. Not sure how much I would like a big light light that, but it's tempting to try, especially since it will work with my existing handful of 18650s. The smaller light is priced at $37 right now too.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @D.H.CE_FL, the biggest issue I thing some have with cheaper made lights is the non support from the manufacture. However, the good thing about cheaper lights, they are easy to budget and replace if something does happen to them. I have both higher end lights $500-$1500, and lower end, $30-$80, and have great luck with all of them. My go to light for the majority of the diving I do is the Comfort Zone Scuba Land & Sea, retails at $125. Its been an amazing light, bullet proof, and has never failed me. I have two that I mount on my helmet, two that I mount on my Full Face Mask, and one I use in a hand mount.

[@thatsgre8t797]

I’ve had bad luck with “Higher quality” lights as far as water ingress. Having double points of entry with the smaller light is a deal breaker for me. I would possibly try the bigger light after seeing some long term reviews.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @thatsgre8t797, the smaller light was not my cup of tea neither. I did enjoy the larger light. Both were given away this year as Christmas gifts.

[@josephdracula7487]

👍

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Glad you liked the video @josephdracula7487