Mares, Best Divers, Picasso, Cressi, H.Dessault, Spetton, Sigalsub and Seac have definitely interesting models of torches, both standard and rechargeable. The ones we have selected are specially thought for spearfishing, but can be great also in freediving and scuba diving. We will not in this dossier go into the indication of the Lumen of the torches as this value indicates all the light generated by the torch in any direction, while what is important are the Lux, the intensity of light in a specific limited area of a surface illuminated by the beam, and the quality of the beam itself. This second value is often not indicated by the producers and so we will give an evaluation in a Super Test of the torches coming after this dossier.
Mares EOS Pro
We couldn’t help but start with the Mares EOS Pro, winner of the 2024 Best Choice by Apneapassion. Quite anatomical, 16 cm long, made of machined solid aluminium, the Mares EOS Pro has a great and narrow beam capable of penetrating even the smaller cracks in the rocks. This torch is rechargeable with a clever battery where the C-Type USB can be directly inserted.
A LED light is present directly on the battery to indicate when it is fully charged (goes from red to green). A second LED light is present on the base of the switch button, green for 100% to 51% charge, yellow for 50% to 20% charge, red from 19% to 0%. The switch button is perfectly feelable even with thick gloves, while the elastic lace is a good solution which positiones the torch just in front of the hand for immediate grab.
Picasso huge offer
We have been really struck by the torches line of the Portuguese company. 7 different models of torches, all made of aircraft grade aluminium alloy machined from a solid block, of different sizes and characteristics, represent a very complete offer.
Venus Pro and Venus Pro Rechargeable
The two new torches by Picasso are not only different in the battery system, rechargeable or not, but also a lot in dimensions. The Picasso Venus Pro is 11.6 cm long, while the Picasso Venus Pro Rechargeable is 14.6 cm long. They also differ in the diameter of the grip, 2.2 cm for the first and 3.4 cm for the second. Both torches have a very well perceivable sliding switch, which has an unstable on position, meaning the torch stays on only if the diver keeps pushing the switch. In addition, the one of the Venus Pro Rechargeable has a lock system to prevent the torch from turning on accidentally when for example it is stored in the diving bag, where objects can press the switch.
The Venus Pro Rechargeable can be opened on the back where a USB Micro B type plug is present. An LED light indicates the state of charge, red for charging, flashing green for charged. The torch can also be opened frontally to extract the rechargeable battery. In both cases, a double O-ring is present to ensure water seal. The Venus Pro is powered by AAA Alkaline batteries.
Venus and Venus Rechargeable
The main difference compared to the equivalent Pro versions is the fact that the switch has a sliding system with no return spring, meaning it stays where you leave it. The sliding though gives progressive adjustment of the light power beam from low, to mid to high. There is instead no switch-locking system. Still, some may prefer this solution to the Pro one. The lengths of the two torches are the same while the diameter of the grip of the Venus is 3 cm and the one of the Venus Rechargeable is 2.7 cm. All the above torches have a non elastic laces.
Maximum Rechargeable and Maximus Mini Rechargeable
Slimmer and with a switch composed of a button instead of a slider solution, compared to the Picasso Venus torches, the Picasso Maximum line widens the offer of the Portuguese company to accommodate all the needs of the different customers. Both torches are rechargeable thanks to a USB Type C connection, more modern than the USB Micro Type B. The plug is reached by opening the rear of the torch which has a double O-Ring to ensure the water seal. Opening an internal cap it is then possible to reach the rechargeable battery. The base of the switch button has a LED light, green when the charge is above 60%, yellow between 40% and 60% and red below 40%. These are very useful indicators.
The Maximum Rechargeable measures 17 cm in length, while the diameter of the grip is 3.5 cm. The Maximus Mini Rechargeable is 15.5 cm long and the grip is pretty slim, with a diameter of 2.2 cm.
Mini Rechargeable
Not the shorter, but definitely the slimmer of the lot, the Picasso Mini Rechargeable is for those who want a compact torch, which can be also positioned on the arm using a rubber band. This torch has in fact a constant diameter of 2.6 cm and a length of 13.7 cm. The torch is switched on and off using a steel button. At its base, a LED light indicates the state of charge with respectively a green and red light. The charging is obtained with a USB C Type connection.
Best Divers revolution
Best Divers definitely brings to market some very positive revolutions with the Cobra torches, plus a more traditional but very neat offer with the Hunt torch.
Two versions of the revolutionary Best Divers Cobra
The Best Divers Cobra torch is offered in two versions, the Cobra and the Cobra Pure, which come with a beautiful semirigid Nylon texture case. The two torches differ only in the switch. In the Cobra Pure the sliding switch returns automatically to its off position, unless the diver keeps it on. The Cobra instead turns on with a pressure on the sliding switch, and stays on until the switch is pressed again.
But the key elements which make both the Cobra and the Cobra Pure revolutionary are three. First, the design, with an angle for best comfort and to keep the wrist straight when using the torch and to feel perfectly the right position of the torch without having to look at it. Second, the switch is positioned in the inferior part of the torch and so actioned extremely easily by the index finger. Third, the recharging system, magnetic, so that the torch is completely sealed with zero possibility of water infiltration.
Additionally, compared to other torches that have followed using the magnetic connection cable for recharging, the Best Divers Cobra has a special valve for 100% safety in case the internal battery has any issues. With the valve, any pressure generated internally is released avoiding any safety issues. 17 cm long and with a variable diameter of the grip, for astonishing comfort, going from 2.8 cm at the base to 4.0 cm close to the bulb, the design of the Best Divers Cobra torch is amazing.
The material of the Best Divers Cobra torch is aluminium for the head and glass loaded nylon for the grip. The lace of the Cobra torch is not elastic and maybe could be upgraded in such a sense.
Best Divers Hunt torch
Definitely a traditional torch, the Best Divers Hunt has many clever solutions. First of all, it has the possibility to use both a rechargeable battery, with an external recharging base, or three AAA Alkaline batteries thanks to an adapter. A solution, this one, clever and simple, which strangely enough is not used by other companies. If you have time to recharge you save money and respect the environment by avoiding the use of non-rechargeable batteries. If you are in a hurry and find yourself with the battery down, you can still use three AAA batteries and quickly solve the problem. Great!
The switch of the Best Divers Hunt torch is a well perceivable sliding solution, with a locking system to avoid accidental turning on of the torch when stored and not used. One pressure and the torch turns on at maximum power, a second pressure and the power is reduced, a thrid pressure and the power turns off. The entire torch is in aircraft grade aluminium alloy machined from a solid block. The length is 14 cm, the diameter of the rear of the grip (side of the little finger) is 3 cm, while where the switch is it increases to 3.5 cm. The lace is a traditional non-elastic solution.
Cressi Lumia+
This 100% Italian design and manufactured torch by Cressi has won the 2023 Best Choice by Apneapassion. It has its amazing strength in the anatomical design which makes the torch position well perceivable in the water even with thick gloves. The same applies to what is probably the best switch on the market. In fact, the switch of the Cressi Lumia+ has three positions, off, unstable on, meaning the switch returns automatically to the off position if released, and on locked. The latter is obtained by sliding the switch all the way until a click is generated.
Made of glass-loaded Nylon, the Cressi Lumia+ is not rechargeable and utilises 4 AA Alkaline batteries. The handle has a rounder rectangular section which, together with hard rubber elements, generates a perfect grip. The light bulb and the reflector have been studied by Cressi to obtain the best colour of light and penetrating beam. We are definitely waiting for a rechargeable version of this amazing torch.
Spetton Q5 Storm
Spetton, the Spanish company, which has already shown us amazing solutions in the Winter gloves and socks dossier, presents the Q5 Storm torch. This torch is made in aircraft grade aluminium alloy machined from a solid block. It is 15 cm long and the diameter of the handle is 3 cm, increasing to 3.3 cm where the switch is. The latter is a well perceivable sliding solution. Near the switch, a power scale is printed indicating the possibility of increasing and decreasing the power from zero to maximum by sliding the switch back and forth. The power supply is obtained with 3 AAA Alkaline batteries. Offered below 50€, this torch by the Spanish company is a very good value for money product, with quite standard solutions.
HD Sirio by H.Dessault
H.Dessault, the brand part of C4 Carbon family, is about to launch at the end of the year the new H.Dessault HD Sirio torch, winner of the 2024 Best Value by Apneapassion. We have received a 90% complete prototype. It is rechargeable with a magnetic cable, and so completely closed with 100% water seal. With a good anatomical shape, also ensuring good grip, the handle of the HD Sirio is in glass loaded Nylon, while the head is in aircraft grade aluminium alloy machined from a solid block. The switch is the slider solution, with an on-off system.
A special additional clip can be positioned on the torch to avoid accidental turning on. The lace is a high-quality elastic adjustable solution. The HD Sirio torch is 16 cm long, while the diameter of the handle goes from 3 to 3.8 cm. Among the magnetic charge torches the HD Sirio is the most affordable.
Sigalsub Horus
The Sigalsub HORUS black/blue LED diving torch is rechargeable. It is offered in a nice and complete plastic case. Inside, we find a battery charging base, a wall socket and a cigarette lighter socket. Designed for spearfishing, its small size makes it a compact but highly performing product.
The switch is the button solution, quite small and well perceivable only with gloves that are not too thick. Made of anodized aircraft grade aluminium alloy machined from a solid block, the Sigalsub Horus torch is 14 cm long, while the handle has a diameter of 2.5 cm. A rough surface of such an area would have improved the grip. The lace is not elastic, but the line is thicker than the competition, so more resistant and less inclined to get tangled.
Seac R3 FX
Beautifully designed in each part, the Seac R3 FX torch is made completely of aircraft grade aluminium alloy machined from a solid block. The surface could be a little rougher to additionally improve the grip of the handle. The latter has a diameter of 2.8 cm, which increases in correspondence of the switch to 3.6 cm, while the total length is 14 cm. The switch is a slider solution on and off, with good enough dimensions to be easily felt even with thick gloves. A very neat circular cursor blocks the switch to prevent accidental turning on. The power comes from a battery which is recharged on an external base. The lace is a non-elastic solution.
