Waterproof light?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have a few lights that are sealed well enough for the occasional dip in a couple of feet of water, but I'm looking for something that could do 10-20 meters safely.  Is this something most modern lights are capable of doing or should I look for a dedicated dive light?  Every year at SHOT I see lots of displays on lights in fish tanks, but there has to be a major difference in pressure between a 10 gallon tank and actually going under water.

Def

[nuphoria]

Yes, you're right - big difference. Lots of them are waterproof and can happy play in the bath with you, however you need one that is pressure tested to your specific needs.

I'm thinking there must be speSmurfpillst diving lights out there? Never needed one because deep water makes me

[dks]

I got an Xtar D02, with AAA batteries for my diving needs.
More here: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,35523.msg601055.html#msg601055
They have a good reputation, according to the flashlight forums.

Bear in mind that all such equipment is tested in still, not flowing, water, so if you are swimming at a depth of 20m you need a torch with a pressure testing of a lot more, to resist the increased pressure caused by moving through the water.

Thus for diving you need a torch, or watch etc which can sustain a pressure of 100m at least.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I am only going snorkeling, not SCUBA diving, so my depth will be very limited- I doubt I will beat 15m at most, so I'm not that concerned abotu "extreme" depth.  I'd just like to see if a light will help, although given how murky the water is here I imagine a bright light is more likely to reduce visibility by reflecting back than increasing it.

Still, it is worth a shot.  I think I'm going to take my Fenix L1P today and see how it does.  I'll be sad if it gets killed by the water as it's a great light, but it's the best balance I have of expendible and capable.

Def

[dks]

  The Xtar was variable brightnes 

[sawman]

The Pelican "NEMO" 2010 is W/R to 500ft I think and is an LED that uses C-cells.  It's possibly next on my list of lights.

[Lynn LeFey]

I had a dive light very much like the Underwater Kenetics Mini Q40 eLED, but with a halogen bulb (made back before LEDs were available). It runs a LONG time on the 4 AAs, and was very impact resistant, as well as a great dive light. I used it for maybe 10 years as my EDC light, before it died.

I assume the current Mini Q40 eLED would have even better run-time, and may be brighter.

[Millhouse]

I would get a dedicated dive light.

Lights we see labelled as waterproof, are usually to IPX-8 - at best a couple of meters at static water pressure.

[nuphoria]

I would get a dedicated dive light.

Lights we see labelled as waterproof, are usually to IPX-8 - at best a couple of meters at static water pressure.

Yes, that is what I was trying to say!

[Grant Lamontagne]

That's ok Chrissy, I think I understood your description better anyway! 

Well, my Fenix survived well enough, although that may be largely attributable to accidentally being left on the shelf next to the door where I won't forget to grab it as I leave.... 

Def

[jzmtl]

Princeton tec and Pelican makes several relative cheap dive rated lights. I have an incan PT tec 40 that's rated for 100 meters and it's about $20 new.

Fail that just put whatever light you have in a sturdy freezer bag, suck out all the air and go with it, should be just fine for snorkeling.

[legtu]

i never had a need to use a dive light in snorkeling and i'm kinda surprised on how water-resistant some of the ipx-8 rated lights i've used. proper mantenance (lubing and clean threads) is important though. multi-brightness is really helpful and i prefer lights that have a minimum of 1 hr runtime on high for night snorkeling.

try to stay away from very cool tints, the beam won't look nice underwater. neutral tints or high-cri are great.

[jzmtl]

Or if you can wait, $12 from DX.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I dunno about that one- I'd like to have it sometie this summer...

Def

[Styerman]

Pelican has a good line , Ditto Princeton Tech . Whatever you get , put a smidge of silicone grease on the "O" rings . FWIW , a lot of the Peli. product is also rated for use in dangerous enviroments .

Chris