Bought a 'bargain' dive light off some online marketplace and it flooded at 40 feet

So I was gearing up for a hull cleaning job on a tugboat in the Houston ship channel last month. My main light was acting up, so I grabbed this backup I got for like 80 bucks from some random site. The specs looked decent on paper, claimed it was rated for 100 meters. First dive, everything's fine in the shallows. Next day, we're doing a deeper inspection spot, maybe 40 feet down. I turn it on and it just dies. Pull it up, and there's water sloshing inside the housing. The O-ring groove was machined poorly, had a tiny burr I didn't catch. Totally ruined the light and the battery. Ended up having to surface early and rent a proper one from the shop for the rest of the job, which cost me another 150 for the day. Learned the hard way that with lights, you really do get what you pay for. Anyone have a go-to brand for a reliable backup light that won't break the bank but also won't flood?

3 comments

3 Comments

jade_king1d ago

Feel that pain, lost a cheap light the same way once.

noahwood1d ago

See, that's the thing... I never really get too upset about losing a cheap light. If it was cheap, it probably wasn't that great to begin with. It's almost a good excuse to go find something better. Losing an expensive one, that's a real gut punch.

bell.felix1d ago

Yeah but losing any gear underwater is a real hassle, no matter the price. @noahwood I'd rather just buy a decent light once than deal with surfacing early and renting.