ScubaSG's - Non Scientist Divelight Review (in progress)

[diver-hloc]

UltraFire W200

Courtesy Loan from livinouttabox

Website - http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ultrafire-w200-200-meter-waterproof-diver-s-cree-p4-wc-176-lumen-led-flashlight-3-aa-20762

Detail
* Size - 200mm (Length) x 40mm (Front) x 35mm (Rear)
* Weight (with batteries) - 300g
* Battery Type - 3x AA
* Switch Type - Twisty

Beam Test

Distance between Light and Curtain - 7.2m
Width of livingroom (wall to wall) - 3.3m

Beam Test

Distance between Light to Wall - 2.2m
Masking Tape - Black line to black line (1m)

Camera Setting
* Camera - Canon Powershot A650IS
* Mode - Manual Mode
* Aperture - f4
* Shutter - 1/2 Sec

Personal Info
A nice solid light from DX... There is 3 O-Ring grove where 3 O-Ring is suppose to be... livinouttabox didn't include the O-Ring for me... Accounting to DX web forum... some people did complaint that they only have 2 O-Ring... while some have 3. The light have a good 'throw' that is good for greater distance. But the 2 metre test does show a lot more 'Halo' than some other light. But the light beam is really strong for something just powered by 3 AA batteries.

[diver-hloc]

Cree SSC-P7-C-SXO 3-Mode 900-Lumen

Courtesy Loan from livinouttabox

Website - http://www.dealextreme.com/p/diving-cree-ssc-p7-c-sxo-3-mode-900-lumen-led-flashlight-kit-2-18650-4-cr123a-4-16340-29069

Detail
* Size - 215mm (Length) x 58mm (Front) x 30mm (Rear)
* Weight (with batteries) - 390g
* Battery Type - 2x 18650
* Switch Type - Magnetic Twisty knot
* Number of Mode - 3 {Hi>Mid>Low}

Beam Test

Hi

Mid

[/b]

Low

Distance between Light and Curtain - 7.2m
Width of livingroom (wall to wall) - 3.3m

Beam Test

Hi

Mid

Low

Distance between Light to Wall - 2.2m
Masking Tape - Black line to black line (1m)

Camera Setting
* Camera - Canon Powershot A650IS
* Mode - Manual Mode
* Aperture - f4
* Shutter - 1/2 Sec

Personal Info
What I really like about this light.... Power with control !! At Hi power... this light will cut throught dark area like hot knife throught butter.... and yet, you could adjust to lower setting if blinding a marine creature is not needed. I also like the easy to use magnetic twisty knot that control the setting.... smooth and easy to turn.

What I DON'T like about this light.... High fail rate from DX. Anyone can just take a look at DX forum and see how many complaint there is regarding flooding with this light if no modifcation is done. Therefore... buyers are advise to be really to do some extra modifcation on their lights before diving... 

[diver-hloc]

MJ-810E HA-III CREE XML T60 3-Mode 1000-Lumen LED Diving Flashlight

Courtesy Loan from hellhole

Website - http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mj-810e-ha-iii-cree-xml-t60-3-mode-1000-lumen-led-diving-flashlight-set-2x18650-4x123a-4x16340-57113

Detail
* Size - 280mm (Length) x 55mm (Front) x 31mm (Rear)
* Weight (with batteries) - 370g
* Battery Type - 2x 18650
* Switch Type - Magnetic Twisty knot
* Number of Mode - 3 {Hi>Mid>Low}

Beam Test

Hi

Mid

Low

Distance between Light and Curtain - 7.2m
Width of livingroom (wall to wall) - 3.3m

Beam Test

Hi

Mid

Low

Distance between Light to Wall - 2.2m
Masking Tape - Black line to black line (1m)

Camera Setting
* Camera - Canon Powershot A650IS
* Mode - Manual Mode
* Aperture - f4
* Shutter - 1/2 Sec

Personal Info
While I can't confirm... this seems to be a upgraded version of DX earlier SSC-P7-C-SXO divetorch. The level of brightness is very similar to the SSC-P7-C-SXO even when its suppose to be 100 lumen more powerful. The built quality is very good... but again, being a ''China Made'' product... QC can't be guaranteed. Stories could be found at DX's own forum about flooding and malfuntion.... But like some user pointed out.... "10 person complaining doesn't mean the other 90 person also had problem". Never the less... its kind of at your own risk. All in all.... the MJ-810E HA-III CREE XML T60 is a very good and powerful divetorch, much like the Cree SSC-P7-C-SXO .... as long as the one you've ordered arrival without any issue or flood during the 1st dive... 

Note - An interesting issue.... when I 1st got home with the light... I tried using 2 of my own 'unprotected' 18650 batteries for the test... they are a little shorter than the 18650 batteries that came with this light.... surpise surpise... the light didn't work. Could be a spacer is needed to ensure both end of the shorter batteries sit properly inside the light... but for those with unprotected 18650 batteries... you might have to get the proper battery for this light. 

[diver-hloc]

BigBlue FF 4x5 AFO Focus Light

Website - http://www.bigblue.com.hk/ff-4x5-afo.html

Detail
* Size - 217mm (Length) x 68mm (Front) x [NA] mm (Rear)
* Weight (with batteries) - 782g
* Battery Type - 8x AA
* Switch Type - Magnetic Rotary with locking mechanism
* Number of Mode - 2 {Hi / 70%}

Beam Test

HI Power

70% Power

Distance between Light and Curtain - 7.2m
Width of livingroom (wall to wall) - 3.3m

Beam Test

Hi Power

70% Power

Distance between Light to Wall - 2.2m
Masking Tape - Black line to black line (1m)

Camera Setting
* Camera - Canon Powershot A650IS
* Mode - Manual Mode
* Aperture - f4
* Shutter - 1/2 Sec

Personal Info
Soild Light from a Hong Kong Company. While much bigger and heavier than Light & Motion's SOLA series divelight, it does have the advantage of using common AA batteries. The light could be setup to be mounted on a camera by installing the included 1" Ball Joint... or the Lantern Handles (Pic) and use as a normal divetorch. The Magnetic Rotary ring is smooth and comes with a locking mechanism to prevent accidentally changing or switching off the light. The Ring while smooth, does have those 'click' 'click' stop between mode and should make it hard to accidentally change mode even without locking. The light beam is reported to be at 44 degree and the light pattern as we can see, is very even and almost without any hotspot. This version of the light comes with the company's Automatic Flash Off [AFO] function... which is suppose to auto turn the light off just before you take a photo and prevent the shot from being overexposed... yet to test this function yet 

[diver-hloc]

i-Das i-Torch 555

Courtesy Loan from The Submersibles

Website - http://www.itorch.ca/555.html

Detail
* Size - 200mm (Length) x 33mm (Front) x 20mm (Rear)
* Weight (with batteries) - 200g
* Battery Type - 3x AA
* Switch Type - Bezel Twist

Beam Test

Distance between Light and Curtain - 7.2m
Width of livingroom (wall to wall) - 3.3m

Beam Test

Distance between Light to Wall - 2.2m
Masking Tape - Black line to black line (1m)

Camera Setting
* Camera - Canon Powershot A650IS
* Mode - Manual Mode
* Aperture - f4
* Shutter - 1/2 Sec

Personal Info
Been wanting to test this light for a long long time... ever since Mod Alvin gave me a hint of how good it is. The torch is light and powerful.... filling my whole living room. With its 80 deg wide beam... this torch could easily replace both focus and dive light... I dare said even as a close-up video light    Would have like 2 light mode for this torch.... perhars in mode of 100% for full power and 50% for close-up focus.

Currently... The Submersibles - http://www.thesubmersibles.com/ - is offering 20% discount for all i-Das product... 25% if you could produce their Product Catelogue Brochure from ScubaSG Photo Contest talk at Bishan. If you don't have the Brochure or have not been to the talk... ask really really nicely...  The discount won't last forever... so, don't wait. 

[diver-hloc]

i-Das i-Torch EVO

Courtesy Loan from The Submersibles

Website - http://www.itorch.ca/evo.html

Detail
* Size - 165mm (Length) x 30mm (Front) x 29mm (Rear)
* Weight (with batteries) - 220g
* Battery Type - 6x AAA
* Switch Type - Twist rear tail cap

Beam Test

Distance between Light and Curtain - 7.2m
Width of livingroom (wall to wall) - 3.3m

Beam Test

Distance between Light to Wall - 2.2m
Masking Tape - Black line to black line (1m)

Camera Setting
* Camera - Canon Powershot A650IS
* Mode - Manual Mode
* Aperture - f4
* Shutter - 1/2 Sec

Personal Info
A solid dive torch. This light has a narrow beam that would be good if you need to see far, but if you need a focusing light... I suggest you avoid this torch and go for the more expensive i-Torch 555. While this torch is less than half the cost of i-Torch 555... I find its more expensive brother more useful. But of course... its up to the user.

Currently... The Submersibles - http://www.thesubmersibles.com/ - is offering 20% discount for all i-Das product... 25% if you could produce their Product Catelogue Brochure from ScubaSG Photo Contest talk at Bishan. If you don't have the Brochure or have not been to the talk... ask really really nicely...     The discount won't last forever... so, don't wait. 

[diver-hloc]

i-Das i-Torch Video Pro 3

Courtesy Loan from The Submersibles

Website - http://www.itorch.ca/videopro.html

Detail
* Size - 135mm (Length) x 63mm (Front) x 44mm (Rear)
* Weight (with batteries) - 440g
* Battery Type - 4x AA
* Switch Type - Tacticle push button on rear cap
* Number of Mode - 5 {25% / 50% / 75% / 100% / RED}

Beam Test

100%

75%

50%

25%

RED Light

Distance between Light and Curtain - 7.2m
Width of livingroom (wall to wall) - 3.3m

Part 1 of 2

[diver-hloc]

Part 2 of 2

Beam Test

100%

75%

50%

[

25%

RED Light

Distance between Light to Wall - 2.2m
Masking Tape - Black line to black line (1m)

Camera Setting
* Camera - Canon Powershot A650IS
* Mode - Manual Mode
* Aperture - f4
* Shutter - 1/2 Sec

Personal Info
OMG... If I only I knew about the 25% discount... I would have get this light for about the same price I paid for the BigBlue 750 lumen !! Its much smaller than I thought and is incredibility powerful at full power using only 4 AA batteries. As you can see... it even have RED LIGHTS for focusing at night for shy marine creatures. While the spec sheets state that the power modes are 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 and full.... to me, its more like 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The only thing I dislike about this torch is the way the power mode is switch... there is only one button, hold it for 2 sec and the light will turn ON or OFF. A quick press will change the power mode in cycle of 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% then RED. Going from RED to 50% power would meant alot of presses. Wish the maker could have two button... One for normal LED light, one for RED light. My other wish is that instead of using a torch holder with a YS end.... it could be fitted with the more common 1" Ball for use with nearly every type of clamp. If anyone is interested in getting a very powerful light for Video or to have a light mounted on their PnS/DSLR setup... I can't think of anything better at this price.

Currently... The Submersibles - http://www.thesubmersibles.com/ - is offering 20% discount for all i-Das product... 25% if you could produce their Product Catelogue Brochure from ScubaSG Photo Contest talk at Bishan. If you don't have the Brochure or have not been to the talk... ask really really nicely...    The discount won't last forever... so, don't wait. 

[diver-hloc]

La Luz Optics Model #L800

Courtesy Loan from peterm

Website - http://www.laluzoptics.com/L800.html

Detail
* Size - 113mm (Length) x 34mm (Front) x 34mm (Rear)
* Weight (with batteries) - 226g
* Battery Type - 1x 26650 Li-ion (user replaceable)
* Switch Type - Tacticle push button on rear cap
* Number of Mode - 3 {10% / 50% / 100%}

Items

 
1) Model #L800 Dive Torch
2) Li-ion 26650 battery (I've check... not on DX as of 21/04/12 )
3) Battery Charger
4) Diffuser & Red Filter ($10USD Each, Sold Separately)
5) YS style adapter
6) Wrist strap
* 1 page Manual

Beam Test

100%

50%

10%

100% (with Red Filter)

50% (with Red Filter)

10% (with Red Filter)

100% (with Diffuser)

50% (with Diffuser)

10% (with Diffuser)

Distance between Light and Curtain - 7.2m
Width of livingroom (wall to wall) - 3.3m

Part 1 of 2

[diver-hloc]

Part 2 of 2

Beam Test

100%

50%

10%

100% (With Red Filter)

50% (With Red Filter)

10% (With Red Filter)

100% (With Diffuser)

50% (With Diffuser)

10% (With Diffuser)

Distance between Light to Wall - 2.2m
Masking Tape - Black line to black line (1m)


Camera Setting
* Camera - Canon Powershot A650IS
* Mode - Manual Mode
* Aperture - f4
* Shutter - 1/2 Sec

Personal Info
OMG... this light is incredible for its power and size !! Its smaller than the Hollis LED Mini3 and yet it's as powerful as the i-Das i-Torch Video Pro 3 at 100% Power. Being a Video light... the wide 80 degree beam is evenly spread out without any hot spot. But I think its kind of strange that the power mode is 100% - 50% - 10%... personally, I would have prefer it to be 100% - 60% - 30%. There is a warning sign at the front of the torch, warning that this light is to be use underwater only... as it may get hot. Didn't try this out since I've only switch it on long enough for a shot. But I don't doubt it will get really hot at 800 Lumen.

As good as this light is... I do have a problem with its design. The Tacticle push button that turn this light on/off and changes the modes, is very hard to push... much harder than it should be. if I have mounted this on my DSLR.... using only one hand (the other holding the camera), I don't think I could find enough grip or finger point strength to push that small flat knot of a button... double hard if you are wearing gloves.

The small, flat button that turn on/off the light, only 13mm in size

I was told by our member peterm that he paid $199USD (excluded Shipping) for this little powerhouse. This is a very good price as the low USD to SGD exchange rate (as of 21/04/12) makes this torch, cheaper than some of the bigger dive torch in the Market. Till I have a Light & Motion SOLA series torch to test... I would have no problem recommending this light... provided you have a strong finger tips to push that small button...