Best diving torches (Durability vs Affordability)

[The Walrus]

I was just wondering what cave divers think the best dive torches are to get. Not just the brightest or longest lasting, but also the most durable and cheapest. I have used XTAR D26 1600's, one of which broke due (my fault). When I was looking at other ones on amazon I found a whole range of cheaper options. Obviously these will be of lower quality but it made me think about the 'best' dive torch in terms of affordability and durability. What does everyone else use and why?

 

[Emsy]

I'm a fan of the LED lenser frogman as it's cheap & durable. The only downside is the bulky switch is a bit of a pain when they're helmet mounted.

 

[The Walrus]

I'm a fan of the LED lenser frogman as it's cheap & durable. The only downside is the bulky switch is a bit of a pain when they're helmet mounted.

Just had a look of those online, i’ll consider them especially as the price is so low!

 

[Pitlamp]

Are they the ones which have bezels that screw down in the opposite direction from the standard "clockwise closes"? (Sorry, I've never used one but it's something I've heard mentioned.)
I've dived with folk who used them and they certainly give good light.

 

[PeteHall]

I'm a fan of the LED lenser frogman as it's cheap & durable. The only downside is the bulky switch is a bit of a pain when they're helmet mounted.

These have been discontinued, which is the biggest downside! There are a lot of cheap knock-offs online, but I'd be pretty wary of those.

The other downside is that the metal bit around the lens tends to unscrew easier than the lens itself, so you end up winding off the metal cover, then winding off the lens to change batteries; it's a real pain in the arse!

Other than that, they are great. They run on 4 AAs and have space for the slightly oversized rechargeables; many other lights the tolerance is too tight and rechargables don't fit! They have two light modes, bright, or dim, so you can extend lifetime or see further depending on what you're doing.

Mine lasted for about 5 years of regular use before the plastic lens on one of them split and I was unable to get a replacement as they are no longer made.

If you can find some genuine LED Lenser ones, go for it, but I'd probably avoid the cheap copies!

Are they the ones which have bezels that screw down in the opposite direction from the standard "clockwise closes"? (Sorry, I've never used one but it's something I've heard mentioned.)
I've dived with folk who used them and they certainly give good light.

No, the threads are in the standard direction.

 

[Pitlamp]

Ta for clarification.

I have a LED Lenser head torch. After 6 years the charger became unreliable dur to worn pins on the tiny plug that inserts into the socket in the battery case. I emailed them to ask if I could buy a replacement charger and they sent me a whole new lamp and charger, FOC. Apparently they have a 7 year guarantee. That's the kind of excellent aftersales service that's worth flagging up.

 

[PeteHall]

When my LED Lenser frogman's packed up, I splashed out for some DiveRite CX2s. Admittedly, these are not cheap lights, but I figured that they ticked every box.

• Quality/ durable construction
• No twisty-bezel switch
• Switch that can be operated easily with cold hands and gloves while helmet mounted
• Range of power modes
• Good battery life
• Good reputation for reliability and after-sales support when things do go wrong

I've had them for about a year now and have been extremely pleased. They are very well made. Easy to operate. Easy to charge (internal USBC). Extremely bright on full power. Last forever on low power. Body shape allows them to be easily attached to a helmet with bungee; they can be taken off easily, but have never fallen off. The switch glows green when they have plenty of charge, then goes orange, then red as they get low.

Only downside other than the price is that they are quite bulky, so I invariably leave them off for caving to a sump and only put them on when I get in the water.

Pictured below new. They are less black and shiny now...

 

[Edz]

I've got 4 x Peli Sabrelights which I don't use so I'm open to offers. You can still get replacement led modules for them.

 

[Steve Clark]

I have two halcyon scouts that I’ve taken on every dive over 24years. In the sea and cave diving. I replaced the lamp units with LED around 2007.

They seemed expensive at the time as a student, about £40 each. Machined from a solid bar of delrin, including the tie-in hole. I have no doubt that they’ll last for the remainder of my diving career.

Probably not the answer to ‘cheap’, because they’re about £200 each now and not very bright compared to others, but they tick the ‘durable’ box.

 

[phizz4]

Ledlenser D14.2 Frogman LED Torch - Neon Yellow

LED Lenser® D14.2 Frogman LED Torch, buy online with free UK delivery, optional next day/international delivery and a 5 year warranty.

www.led-torch.co.uk

 

[Emsy]

Ledlenser D14.2 Frogman LED Torch - Neon Yellow

LED Lenser® D14.2 Frogman LED Torch, buy online with free UK delivery, optional next day/international delivery and a 5 year warranty.

www.led-torch.co.uk

I saw this too, so was confused by Pete's post. But when I go directly to the led lenser website I can't find the frogman, so maybe this is fake?

 

[PeteHall]

Email conversation below from last year

To: support@ledlenseruklimited
I have used a pair of Ledlenser D14.2 Frogman torches as my primary cave diving lights for several years. The plastic lens on one has cracked and it is letting in water, so I am trying to source a replacement lens. I'd also like to replace the o-ring seals, but you don't even list the D14.2 on your website. The D14.2 appears to be widely available from other retailers, though some products appear to be cheap imitations, so I'd prefer to buy any spares either direct, or from an authorised dealer.
Could you please advise where I can source replacement parts.
Thanks,
Peter

From: support@ledlenseruklimited
Date: 01 May 2024

Hi Peter,

Thank you for your enquiry.

The dive torch has not bee a stock item for quite some time and we unfortunately no longer have stock or replacement parts. You may be able to find some on the website. I see Outdoor 365, link below are showing stock and we did supply them and they may still be able to supply.

https://www.led-torch.co.uk/ledlenser-d14-2-frogman-led-torch-neon-yellow
Ledlenser UK Support Team

Ledlenser D14.2 Frogman LED Torch - Neon Yellow

LED Lenser® D14.2 Frogman LED Torch, buy online with free UK delivery, optional next day/international delivery and a 5 year warranty.

www.led-torch.co.uk

This is the same link the the official LED lensor support sent me as a distributor, but interestingly, there is no way to navigate to this product from inside their own website, neither does it come up using the internal search bar on the website. They may have stock, but it may just be an old page that Google is still finding. I'd certainly email them before buying, but if they do have stock at least you know it's genuine.

Edit: There is no button to "add to basket", so I don't think it is in stock. Every other product on the website has a button to buy...

 

[The Walrus]

When my LED Lenser frogman's packed up, I splashed out for some DiveRite CX2s. Admittedly, these are not cheap lights, but I figured that they ticked every box.

• Quality/ durable construction
• No twisty-bezel switch
• Switch that can be operated easily with cold hands and gloves while helmet mounted
• Range of power modes
• Good battery life
• Good reputation for reliability and after-sales support when things do go wrong

I've had them for about a year now and have been extremely pleased. They are very well made. Easy to operate. Easy to charge (internal USBC). Extremely bright on full power. Last forever on low power. Body shape allows them to be easily attached to a helmet with bungee; they can be taken off easily, but have never fallen off. The switch glows green when they have plenty of charge, then goes orange, then red as they get low.

Only downside other than the price is that they are quite bulky, so I invariably leave them off for caving to a sump and only put them on when I get in the water.

Pictured below new. They are less black and shiny now...
View attachment 22419

They do seem like a good choice! Similar to the Xtar D26’s I have, but yours are probably better quality. Although it’s only £60 so not too bad.

 

[Pitlamp]

I've been a fan of the Mini Q40 torches for many years. Unfortunately they changed the design a few years ago and I dislike the new version (as it's physically bigger and I think it now has a switch, which is a potential leak spot).

I have a couple of very old versions with the tiny bezels. I bought the custom made lamp modules for them which Bif makes (the fella that makes the Rude Nora etc headlamps) which are great.

These two torches have been in constant use for around 20 years and have never leaked. Mind you, I clean and grease the O rings before every dive, religeously.

I've also started using cheap Chinese waterproof head torches and had pretty good success. One which cost about £45 is surprisingly bright. It has a push button switch, so I've made a cover for it from a bit of 40 mm bog pipe and a scrap of bungee, so it doesn't get accidentally switched on when rammed into a big rucsack with all the other clatch.

 

[The Walrus]

Which Chinese ones are these? I saw the Genwiss online for £40, but apparently they’re awful (according to youtube)

 

[PeteHall]

I bought the custom made lamp modules for them which Bif makes

You mean, which Bif used to make. Unfortunately these are also discontinued...

Northern Diver used to do a very similar thing to the old Mini Q40, but with a metal bezel and LED as standard. They have a magnetic switch on the back (so no leak point). They were really cheap (£20 on offer from memory), but not very bright. I think they were called a Mini Quest.
Also now discontinued...