Fantasea has a new, ultra-compact waterproof LED flashlight available. The Nano Torch, which features a 1W Super Bright LED that'll last for 10,000 hours, boasts an impressive 6-hour burn time. Depth-rated to 300 feet, the 5.2-inch Nano weighs in at a hardly-noticeable 0.12 pounds (without the 4 x AAA batteries required to operate the unit). Available in pink, yellow, and blue, the Nano is priced at an affordable $36.

mb-sub's new BASE is a small, lightweight dive light, developed especially "for the requirements of diving bases and diving schools." Available now, the sleek light boasts 3-step dimming and 4-step capacity indication; 55 minutes of burn time; and an SOS emergency signal.

The unit features a 8.4V, 3.2Ah Lithium-Manganese battery; a 20W halogen HLX; and exterior charging (meaning there's no need to open the lamp to charge it). Users can even charge it from their car with the optional battery charger leads. Given the unit's swift recharge time of only 2 hours, that means you can re-charge it while you eat a leisurely lunch on the beach.

I think it sounds like a cool, little light -- but does anybody else think it's weird that the company's name (mb-sub) is in all lower case, yet their new product (the BASE light) is in all caps?

Hartenberger's Nano Compact re-chargeable focus light is the first Hartenberger light to incorporate lithium manganese battery cell technology, which Hartenberger claims is safer than regular, old lithium batteries. Capable of being recharged without opening the housing, the Nano Compact features a standard high performance 20W HLX halogen bulb (guaranteed to burn for 100 hours) that's controlled by an electric current limiter that regulates the start-up phase of the lamp, helping to minimize problems associated with sudden overload.

Moreover, the lamp boasts 4 brightness levels; a "low discharge protection" feature that turns off the lamp prior to the cells going totally flat; and an LED display that doubles as emergency lighting. And most important -- the stainless steel sheen of the lamp is totally wicked and will certainly win you lots and lots of friends.

[Via Reef Photo's Blog]

Green Force manufactures gobs of dive lights. One of their new lights, the Flexi Fun Star got its silly-sounding (and slightly porn-y) name from the components that compose it: the "Flexi Fun" battery pack and the "Star" lighthead.

The battery pack takes 8 AA alkaline batteries (or 8 rechargeable AA NiCd/NiMh batteries), and the Star lighthead contains a 3 Watt LED that provides a burntime of 16 hours (8 hours at 100%, plus 8 hours at 50%). However, because the Flexi Fun features a universal connection, you can easily switch out your light head and replace it with a Green Force HID 50 Pro or Tristar instead.

Although Green Force boasts that this light is great for beginners, a Flexi Fun Star will run in the neighborhood of $400, which is arguably not a beginner price.

If you're a Gates-head, you may already know about their new HID 250 Light System. Developed in conjunction with Green Force lighting, this durable, powerful system features a 50W x 2 HID light head that provides wide 110° diffused beam angles to help light your underwater masterpieces. Moreover, because the lights offer 3800°K color, your films will appear warmer, with more reds and yellows. After using the fast 3-hour smart charger, the lights'll be ready to work for 55 minutes (if you're using the FII battery), or 100 minutes (if you've got the FIII).

This kind of lighting doesn't come cheap, however. One of these bad boys can run in the neighborhood of $3800 (the FII) to $4300 (the FIII). Of course, that price does include the mounting hardware.

Nite Ize distributes little microlights (Is that redundant?) that are inserted into polycarbonate plastic "wands" that projects the light into a beam. Consequently, the wand-and-microlight combination is at once a signal marker, spot beam, and beacon for divers. Guaranteed to shine for up to 15 hours, the versatile little light features a high beam, a low beam, a strobe, and a signal. People topside can see the small unit's light for up to a mile. If you want to see how bright the little lights are, check out Nite Ize's demonstration video.

The shockproof, waterproof wand is positively buoyant -- but depth-rated to 1000 feet. The complete package sports a wrist lanyard and a small compartment to store two spare batteries. The light runs an affordable $15.

Fox Fury's Signature Series scuba headlamp is a waterproof light for divers and snorkelers. Featuring 20 green and 4 blue LEDs, the impact resistant unit has a battery life of 8 hours (using all 24 LEDs when fully charged), but also offers 1-2 hours of reserve mode, and a whopping 28-38 hours of emergency light (using 4 LEDs only).

I'd never heard of a Fox Fury head lamp before, so I was pleased to find a user-review on Scuba Herald. The reviewer, Nik Lozano, claims the unit is "a great headlight, durable, easy-to-use and gives a wide beam of light." Not sure what you think about wearing a head-mounted lamp when diving? Me neither. However, Lozano explains that his concerns with wearing a light strapped to his forehead vanished "after about five minutes in the water" -- although he suggests shore divers might want to invest in a lanyard. Ultimately, despite a few small ergonomic-related issues, Lozano claims the $170 price tag will leave users "happy."

When I was thinking about what kind of DEMA show coverage I wanted to provide, I decided to focus on dive gear and interesting equipment that was NOT related to underwater imaging. Though I briefly covered some of the Sea & Sea housings, Top Dawg housings, and, of course, Light & Motion's sleek, sexy housings, when it came time to spotlight imaging products, I decided to defer to the professionals. And by "professionals," of course, I mean the geniuses at Wetpixel.

Providing in-depth, detailed analysis, Eric Cheng and Drew Wong covered camera and video camera equipment (respectively) like crazy. Each time I passed them on the show floor, they were scribbling furiously, snapping pictures, grilling vendors, and inspecting equipment. (Well...at least Eric was.) If you want the lowdown on Fisheye, L&M, Seacam, SeaLife, Patima, Ultralight, Sea & Sea, Aquatica... -- Whew! You get the idea! -- then check out Eric Cheng's exhaustive DEMA Show coverage. More interested in video? Check out Drew's video products round-up. In either case, you'll get the low-down on all the newest underwater imaging equipment.

(If you think imaging equipment is boring, then at least check out Eric's fun people-at-DEMA photo galleries. Pay particular attention to my favorite shots.)

• 3mm wet suit (or equivalent)
  
• Regulator + octo
  
• Computer
• Mask
• Snorkel
• Fins
• Booties
• Gloves
• Small light
• Dive log with PADI tables, fish ID cards, etc.

If you were interested in Jeff Mullins' review of the 10 Bar housing for the Olympus E-330, but you're not quite able to make it to Hong Kong to pick up a 10 Bar of your own, check out Jack Connick's website. Jack (who you might remember as the diver from the excellent Optical Ocean) now sells the complete line of Fantasea products -- which includes the same housing for the E-330 as 10 Bar's, but re-named the FE-330. That's right, Jack has the entire Fantasea Line at his disposal -- from housings for Coolpix cameras, to housings for many popular dSLRs, to a variety of strobes and arms -- Jack can even help you order customized packages. Plus, he provides discounted pricing on most of the items he sells! (Suddenly, that FE-330 is sounding better and better...)

If you're a n00b who doesn't really know what you need or want, shoot Jack an email. Promising "no-BS advice," Jack claims he's available for questions, unlike mail-order houses, where no one is a diver, or has any idea about what you need. Personally, I know I sent Jack a photo-related question a few months ago, before he started selling the Fantasea equipment, and he answered promptly and thoroughly. He's a knowledgeable guy with a tremendous talent for underwater photography. I want to be like Jack when I grow up.

The Aquastrobe is a hearty little marine survival light that floats heads-up and can be seen for 3 miles in clear conditions. Boasting a seizure-inducing 70 flashes per minute, the Aquastrobe has a burn time of 8 hours -- meaning you're going to get some 33,600 flashes before it fizzles out. Waterproof to an unbelievable 2000 feet, the Aquastrobe weighs a mere 3.4 ounces -- even with the single AA battery that operates it. Clip it to your BC, and you're almost guaranteed to be spotted by people who have eyes.

[Via Dive]

Barbolight makes rugged, high-intensity LED lights for divers. Featuring rechargeable battery technology inside a precision-machined high-grade aluminum casing, Barbolights also boast adjustable push-button switches, designed for signaling. Depth-rated to 600 feet, the burn time on the lights range from 1.5 hours to 7 hours, depending on the model and intensity. Interestingly, the lights also feature glow-in-the-dark dots, so you can find them when you need them most -- when it's dark! Smart.

If you think they look like "just another light," check out the shots of Barbolights in action on the company's website. For a thorough review, check out the LED Museum, which put the light through the ringers. These lights may look small, but they're beefy, macho torches. Of course, quality costs, and the U-15 (the top-end model), runs nearly $600!

[Via X-Ray Mag]