OFFICIAL DIVE LED.COM BLOG

The Six Steps to Dive Light Maintenance

August 29th, 2010

The key to the long life of any worthwhile piece of equipment is maintenance. With the advances in LED technology taking care of your LED dive light is now easier than ever. The equipment necessary is inexpensive and will ultimately prolong the life of your light which in turn will save you money. Aside from the light all you will need will be a couple cotton swabs, a small amount of rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly or silicone grease and a clean- up cloth.

Step One – The first and most important step is to clear and area and set aside 30 minutes of uninterrupted time for the project. Nothing worse than to get distracted in the middle of cleaning your light only to return and find your dog has run off with some vital part of your disassembled light. The body of almost every flashlight is conveniently shaped like a bone. So if you haven’t completed “step one” you might just look in the garden for the missing flashlight body.

Step Two – Give your light a once over, test the switch, batteries, O-ring, and make sure the bezel or tail cap have a firm tight seal prior to disassembly. Knowing whether your light is functioning prior to taking it apart can save you much frustration upon reassembly.

Step Three – Disassembly. This is where advanced technology is your friend. In most modern led dive lights there are really a couple of parts depending on the make and manufacturer. The bezel, circuit, body, O-ring, batteries housing and or tail cap. Twist the bezel or tail off the body and remove the battery housing most Led flashlights are at this point disassembled. Please take time to note the direction of the battery housing for reassembly.

Step Four – Once disassembled break out the cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol. Dip a swab into the alcohol then gently clean off any residue and debris that may have accumulated on the bezel, circuit, battery housing, springs, body and tail cap if applicable. If the batteries show any cracks or corrosion make sure to replace them.

Step Five – Inspect the O-ring for pliability. A brittle O-ring will leak and destroy your torch. Once you are confident the O-Ring is in good condition wipe away any residue using your clean-up cloth and apply a thin coating of silicone grease or petroleum jelly to ensure a proper seal. After inserting your new batteries (keeping mind of direction) reassemble your dive light.

Step Six – Step six is often skipped over but is absolutely mandatory. Test your work… There is a nothing and I mean nothing worse than traveling to your dive location or worse getting in the water and realizing that not only does your light not work but is leak as well. Skipping this step can end your dive before it gets started as well as possibly incurring unnecessary expense.

I hope you find this article to be useful. As an avid diver I always use a check list for every part of my dive and have incorporated that routine into maintenance as well. Feel free to print this out and check off the steps as you complete them. Enjoy your life, invest in your equipment.

Tags: Best Dive Light, buy dive lights, dive light, dive light maintenance, dive torches, led flashlights, led torches
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LED Wide Angle Dive Torch, Knowing The Basics

July 22nd, 2010

For the individuals that enjoy an underwater sport or hobby like scuba diving, it is extremely essential to have the right equipment. To make this popular sport worthwhile and to be able to have fun, the right gear is essential. Yet another essential thing to remember is safety. A device that will be able to provide the accurate type of lighting for diving or any type of underwater activity is a LED wide angle dive torch.

Lighting for all kinds of underwater sports and activities is essential. Using a LED wide angle dive torch will likely provide just the right sort of lighting for exploring underwater surrounding and also great for video and photography underwater. This sort of light for underwater adventures are excellent for searching in caves that do not have the adequate lighting and for under ledges, and for around corners that are hard to reach. Restoring the natural color of underwater and the surrounding will be of better quality for photography and video.

The light that is created from the wide angle from the torch can make it possible to search under ledges, around corners, and even in deep caves where light is not abundant. It has the capabilities in restoring the natural color of the underwater surroundings to obtain a better quality of video or photography.

The material that the LED wide angle dive torch is made from is durable and strong and has the capacity to last for quite some time into the future. The material is anodized aluminum and is made from great quality.

The light that is produced from the LED wide angle torch light has a white beam and is extremely bright. This makes it very easy to shoot video and photography underwater with excellent quality. The light produced from this torch causes it to be a great light for any sorts of underwater photography or video.

When underwater photography is taken by the diver, the light from the wide angle is ideal for situations that need a narrow beam or a deeper focus of light on a certain underwater surroundings. If the situation needs a wider beam of light to focus in on the subject better, it could actually do just that and with amazing clarity as well.

The capability of the LED wide angle dive torch is ideal for illuminating an area that is larger than normal and also great for areas that are smaller than normal. It offers the adequate amount of light that is necessary for different kinds of situation that might arise underwater. Different areas need different amounts of light.

The diver might be a beginner or experienced, this tool is a good value because it has the ability to producejust the right amount of light for any sort of underwater activity with the highest quality. The employment of this tool will truly make the underwater experience even better, and with no fear of disappointment or failure.

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The Best Dive Lights Are LED Dive Torches

June 29th, 2010

Choose your situation – LED Torches provide a longer lasting, brighter environment previously unavailable to the average diver.

Whether you are diving under cloudy skies, at night or just in poor visibility the proper light will enhance your experience. Led lighting has proven to provide a more realistic experience in waters that are less than perfect. Plus the brighter LED lighting brings out the true colors of undersea creatures, corals, and amazing kelp forests.

The key is to pick the right torch for your conditions. Most importantly you want a torch that is guaranteed not to flood. Countless of priceless photos and dives have been lost or cut short due to poor equipment. So take your time, do the research and find a reputable company that stands behind their products.

We recommend at least two torches per dive. This is going to vary upon your circumstances. Are you diving wrecks, caves, beaches, coral reefs, or wide open expanses.

Your primary torch will be for the majority of the dive. The secondary will be a back up incase the primary fails or should dive conditions change.

In an ideal environment you might want a powerful torch but should conditions deteriorate a wider angle torch that diffuses light might come in handy. Brighter is not always the best way to go, especially in murky conditions. In turbulent beach dives the particles stirred up will actually reflect a good portion of a bright light making it more difficult to navigate and can distort ones perception.

If you are cave diving or in tight situations you may consider bringing a good wide angle torch as your primary and a narrow beam light as your secondary. This provides the ability to view your entire environment, in lets say a large Grotto, as well are being able to pinpoint passageways and exit strategies in narrow rocky caverns.

Are you a professional underwater photographer or a weekend warrior. The professional photographer is going to want to go with a really high end LED Torch which may run anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to as much as you care to spend, Where as the weekend warrior can get by with a really reliable torch for somewhere around 40 to 100 dollars.

And of course safety is always a must, so bring a compact torch that fits nicely in your BC. These inexpensive technically advanced little pieces of technology provide just the right amount of light to read your air gauges and dept meters. Plus they are extremely effective signaling devices to communicate with your fellow divers.

The choice is yours. Diving is unique every time you enter the water. One thing for sure is your experience will never the same twice. So if you really want to capture a memory that may very well last a life time spend a couple of extra bucks and buy the right equipment.

Tags: dive light, dive lights, LED Dive Light, Led dive lights, scuba light, underwater light
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A Few Considerations For Selecting The Right LED Dive Torches

June 28th, 2010

Experienced divers know the significance of choosing the right equipment, and choosing the right LED dive torch is no different. In making your light selection, there are many factors to be considered. What works for one situation might be inappropriate for the following dive. But, the first thing to give thought to is the depth of the dive you will be making. Not every light works for all dives, and are in fact rated by the depth at which they will work. They range from barely being waterproof to working at depths up to several thousand feet.

The next thing to consider is what kind of diving you will be doing. Are you a recreational diver using lighting for your personal enjoyment? Or, you may be a commercial diver who requires light in order to work under water. This may range from an underwater photographer, who requires enough lighting on the subject to be photographed, to a search and rescue worker who needs a lot of light to enable the search.
Once you determine your dive type and amount of light required, you must then decide how you want that light to be dispersed. Dive lights are available in many beam types that determine how widespread the light will be. You can choose from a narrow beam that will concentrate the light within a small area, to a wide beam that will light a much larger area, to an adjustable beam, giving you more flexibility. One thing that affects the amount of light is the number of bulbs within the device.
Batteries are another important factor in your decision. Different lights use different types of batteries, from standard AA or AAA alkaline batteries, to the more expensive NiCad or lithium batteries, while others provide the option of using rechargeable batteries. Some of the larger lights use C or D cell batteries, which can make the light quite heavy by comparison. With batteries, the key points to consider are battery life, battery cost, and how much weight the batteries will add to your light.
How versatile and usable the light is should be considered. Will you easily be able to carry it while diving? Does the switch turn on and off easily under the situations you would be using it? The goal is to find a light unit that meets your requirements for the dives on which you will be using it. A further consideration is to select a second light to use as a backup in case your primary light fails in some way.
Durability of the light may be an important factor for you if you are a commercial diver who uses the light on a daily basis. Look at what the light is made of to see if it will meet your needs. Also check to see what type of rating the bulbs have for hours of use. If you need your light for work, then you want to select one that has bulbs that are durable and last a long time.
When you begin your search, you will discover lights in every imaginable size, beam, brightness and battery combination, making choosing the right LED dive torch a fun and interesting experience. You will discover more data and reviews about these products online.

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LED Dive Lights Are Brighter For Scuba Diving

June 23rd, 2010

When it comes to choosing a particular kind of torch to be used for underwater diving, LED lights are certainly the top choice. The common belief that LED dive lights are brighter than other lights certainly is true. Scuba divers feel more at ease with this type of dive light when entering deep waters.

LED diving lights make all the difference when it is used under water. Imagine yourself swimming in a spectacular coral reef and because of insufficient lighting all you can see are bluish grey creatures and fish. Adequate diving lights allow you to clearly observe all the incredible sights that marine coral can offer.

LED as well as conventional and high intensity lights are widely available in the stores. This selection is used by professionals for numerous underwater tasks. Dive Lights are specially designed for unique functions.

A traditional light may work well as a back up, there is a significant drawback though as they run out of steam much quicker than LED lighting. Traditional lights also tend to be larger and bulky and can actually become a safety hazard as they tend to get hung up on obstacles due to their size.

High intensity lights require a bit of patience. It may start slowly but at maximum output they certainly do not disappoint. The incredibly sharp, faintly blue light can be set to minimum to avoid the battery dying out much sooner than is expected. Night time adventurers has made this one their ideal choice. It would be a wise idea to stock up on bulbs as they may be difficult to obtain. Rechargeable batteries work well with high intensity lights. There is a slight increase in watt output when used. Conventional batteries also work fairly well in this dive light.

LED dive lights with a bluish light. They are also designed to use more than one bulb. Compared to the others this one is not only the most economical but also the toughest. They come in a range of sizes that can be used for various purposes. Because of its popularity it can be found in stores across the country.

Dive lights need certain accessories to finish the outfitting process. To attach the light to the arm or body the diver needs lanyards and clips. This obviously also prevents the equipment from getting lost. Handles and mounting brackets can be replaced for easier use by the diver. Of course accessories might not always be available for all types of dove lights, and they may be included with certain models only.

Tags: Best Dive Light, brightest dive light, dive lights, dive torches, Led dive lights, Led Dive Torches
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LED Wide Angle Dive Torch, Knowing The Important Advantages

June 23rd, 2010

A popular activity and sport amongst many people is scuba diving. While participating in this sport, using the correct equipment is very vital. Having the correct equipment for this sport is definitely recommended because safety is vital. One of several pieces of equipment that’s recommended is a LED wide angle dive torch. This tool can offer the precise kind of lighting for different forms of underwater activities.

Lighting for all kinds of underwater sports and activities is important. Using a LED wide angle dive torch will in all probability provide just the appropriate form of lighting for exploring underwater surrounding and also great for video and photography underwater. This form of light for underwater adventures are excellent for searching in caves that do not have the adequate lighting and for under ledges, and for around corners that are hard to reach. Restoring the natural color of underwater and the nearby will be of better quality for photography and video.

Night diving is achievable with the light that’s provided because of this torch, and even adds additional light for backup for the darker surrounding underwater, such as in thick vegetation and deep caves. The light also has enough illumination to see further in the water because it is able to focus a stream of light either closer or even further away.

Because the LED wide angle dive torch is made from a material of anodized aluminum, it makes this item of equipment very durable and strong and possesses the capabilities for lasting for a great deal of time. There is no need to purchase yet another light for awhile as a consequence of its strong structure, it will last the diver longer.

The white beam that’s created from the LED wide angle torch is very bright, which makes it very simple to take photographs and video underwater with great quality. The light is perfect for virtually every kind of video or photography activity underwater. The photographs will have better quality as well as very good color.

The wide angle light is ideal for underwater photography while its capabilities for a narrow beam of light is fantastic for when you need a deeper concentration of light. The LED wide angle dive torch can be used in lots of different underwater situations, and may also be uses by a highly trained or not-experienced diver.

In certain underwater situations, the need for a wide beam of light for a larger area or a more narrow beam of light for a smaller area may be needed. The LED wide angle dive torch can produce the best for virtually every kind of illumination need. Using this light, the diver can rest assured that he will get the best picture.

The diver could be a beginner or experienced, this tool is a good value because it is able to producejust the appropriate amount of light for virtually every form of underwater activity with the best quality. The use of this tool will truly make the underwater experience better still, and with no fear of disappointment or failure.

Tags: Best Dive Light, LED Dive Light, LED Torch, led torches, Wide Angle Dive Torch
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The Steps In Deciding On The Best LED Dive Torch

June 22nd, 2010

Experienced divers know the significance of deciding on the best equipment, and deciding on the best LED dive torch is no different. To make your light selection, there are many factors to be considered. What works best for one situation may very well be inappropriate for the next dive. But, the first thing to think about is the depth of the dive you will be making. Not all lights work for all dives, and are in fact rated by the depth at which they are effective. They range from barely being waterproof to working at depths up to several thousand feet.

The type of diver you are will factor into the type of light you finally choose. A casual diver, who dives just for fun, will have different needs than the professional or commercial diver who uses light on every dive in order to do a job. Underwater photographers need adequate light to make their subject photographable, while other types of commercial divers could need a lot of light to be able to search for things or people.

Now that you know your lighting requirements for your type of dive, you need to determine how large an area you need to illuminate. Dive lights come in a variety of beam types that determine how much light is dispersed to how wide an area. They range from a narrow beam that is concentrated, to a wide beam that leaves a larger light pattern. If you do a variety of types of dives with different lighting needs, there is also an option for a variable beam light that could meet your needs. Another factor in the brightness of the light given off is the number of bulbs in the unit you select.

Batteries can be a very important component in your selection of a lighting unit. Lights come in all shapes and sizes, and so do the batteries that power them. Many units use standard alkaline batteries ranging in size from AAA to D cell, while others use NiCad or lithium batteries that can be more expensive. There is also the option of using rechargeable batteries. Keep in mind battery life, battery cost, and battery weight when you make your decision. A unit that uses several D cell batteries will be considerably heavier than a unit that uses three AAA batteries.

How versatile and usable the light is should be considered. Will you easily be able to carry it while diving? Does the switch turn on and off easily under the situations you would be using it? The goal is to find a light unit that meets your requirements for the dives on which you will be using it. A further consideration is to select a second light to use as a backup in case your primary light fails in some way.

The durability of the light may or may not be important to you, depending on how you intend to use it. This may not be as important to a recreational diver as it is to a commercial diver who will use the light daily in order to do a job. Part of durability is how many hours of use the bulbs are supposed to give you. Bulbs are rated for hours of use, so be sure to check this feature on any units that you consider.

The net result is that there are lights for all types of diving. These come in all size and shapes, with different choices for batteries, beam and brightness. You will have many, many options when deciding on the best LED dive torch for your use. You can find product reviews and ratings, as well as more information online.

Tags: best led dive torches
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What is a LED Dive Torch Anyway?

June 17th, 2010

Led Dive Torch – What is a dive torch anyway

“Traditional dive lights are a thing of the past. The modern diver is now using an LED Dive Torch”. Lee Aldrin – Dive LED.com

Originally a “torch” was a burning staff used as a portable source of light. Torches were often used in the bowell’s of castles, stone structures, or crypts.

A “torch” carried in relay by cross-country runners is used to light the Olympic flame which burns without interruption until the end of the Games. These torches and relay tradition were introduced due to a need for a flame that would burn the duration of the Ancient Olympic Games. The “torch” was the answer.

The key phrase to take away from the previous definition is “burns without interruption”. Which is why we have moved from a traditional dive light to the LED Dive Torch.

Burn – provides a brighter, realistic, efficient experience to the user.

Without Interruption – a torch provides a reliable, cost effective, longer lasting and over all safer piece of equipment.

The Modern Dive Torch is a LED energy efficient light with a lithium battery.

Why you need a Dive Torch

Aside from breathing, the the ability to see and accurately perceive your surroundings is the most important factor in any dive. If you’re diving at night or in an environment with very little natural light, a dive torch is a must. Not only for your visibility underwater but to signal others when you or another diver is in need of help. Also when you’re diving in dark areas, accurately reading your depth gauge and dive computer can be an issue. A compact secondary torch can provide a less reflective solution eliminating glare so you can gauge your dive the time you have left before running low on air.

Even on during the day, a dive torch can be useful. You’ll often want to explore areas where the sunlight doesn’t reach. Some examples are, caves, large natural overhangs or crevices where much of the marine life is taking shelter from predators. Much of the time light from above often can’t reach these places, therefore a dive torch can be helpful.

Here are my recommendations

I suggest two torches for each dive: a main and a backup. Led Lighting is very reliable so having two lights is mainly for the various conditions the average diver will experience during a dive. However, even as reliable as a torch may be unchecked batteries do run out of steam and even the best equipment does malfunction. There is no worse place for this to happen than under the water. It’s easy to become disoriented in a dark ocean. A backup light can be critical to your safety.

Look for a dive torch with a lithium battery. Although they’re more not as cheap as traditional alkaline battery-powered torches, they last longer and don’t need to be replaced as frequently. Which in the end will save you money, more importantly frustration, and possibly your life.

With technology advancing as rapidly as it is the dive torches available today are much different than those from even just a few years ago. They offer special components and circuitry that can stretch the life of your battery on long dives.

Your torch doesn’t need to be that powerful. Remember, most marine life lives in the dark. In caves and otherwise really dark places a bright torch can cause them to flee.

Maintenance

Treat your dive torch as you would any piece of valuable diving or life saving equipment. Before every dive you want to inspect the power supply, make sure your batteries have plenty of charge. If you think the batteries are running low, replace them. Test the switch to make sure your torch is working properly and the batteries you’ve replaced are in the right position.. While submerged, try to avoid unnecessary banging of your dive torch on the ocean floor or against rocks and coral. This can damage your light and cause it to fail or flood. After each dive, take it apart and inspect for damage or wear that may have occurred. Also debris can impact how well the your led dive light functions on future dives, so clean it out

Your dive torch is just as important as you BC or air tanks.

Once again as with any piece of equipment crucial to your overall well being and survival some products are better than others. Do your research and pick a reputable company that stands behind the goods it manufactures. After all would you pick the cheapest parachute in the airplane if the need to jump was thrust upon you?

Tags: Best Dive Torch, Led dive lights, Led Dive Torches
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LED Dive Torches

June 11th, 2010

Choose your situation – LED Torches provide a longer lasting, brighter environment previously unavailable to the average diver. Whether you are diving under cloudy skies, at night or just in poor visibility the proper light will enhance your experience. Led lighting has proven to provide a more realistic experience in waters that are less than perfect. Plus the brighter LED lighting brings out the true colors of undersea creatures, corals, and amazing kelp forests.

Pick The Right Torch For Your Dive

We recommend at least two torches per dive. Your main light for ideal conditions and perhaps a wider angle torch that diffuses light. Brighter is not always the best way to go, especially in murky conditions. In turbulent beach dives the particles stirred up will actually reflect a good portion of a bright light making it more difficult to navigate and can distort ones perception.

Are you a professional underwater photographer or a weekend warrior. The professional photographer is going to want to go with a really high end LED Torch which may run anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to as much as you care to spend. Where as the weekend warrior can get by with a really reliable torch for somewhere around 40 to 100 dollars.

Tags: dive torches, led torches
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