What our staff think..
The Scubapro 850R Nova light makes a very good recreational primary light, and is perfect as a tech backup light.
This torch is very well made. The biggest problem I have had with torches in the past is build quality! This is almost always made worse when you have to ship your broken torch back to china for warranty. I have never had an issue with my 850R, and even if I did, Scubapro has the best product support network of any diving manufacture. I am not protective of my gear at all. I throw this torch around on a daily basis, and it takes it all in its stride!
A lot of people become fixated on lumens when purchasing a torch. Everyone is convinced they need 1000 lumens! This torch has a 850 lumen rating, that I have always found to ample! A better reading of brightness is LUX. This torch has a high LUX rating (17,000 @ 1m). This is high when compared to other torches at a similar price point or even higher. There can be a lot of jargon once we get into the specifics of light measuring; I would just like to say that this torch is plenty bright enough for its intended purpose.
This torch has plenty of battery power for its size. I will often get multiple dives out of a single battery. If you require a long burn time Scubapro has other options with larger batteries, however this will mean a larger torch. I think it is always best to be realistic with your needs when buying equipment.
To turn this torch into standby mode you click the button 5 times in quick succession. This is to prevent accidently turning the torch on when being stored (as a backup light for example). Once in standby, press and hold again for full power and again for half power. This makes for an easy to use torch.
This torch is rechargeable, and comes with a rechargeable battery and charger.
When buying this torch, have a think about how you would like to secure it when diving and when it is stored away. It does come with a string lanyard; however it is not the best. I would attach a split ring and small bolt snap to secure it while storing, and a good visible lanyard to use when it’s in the hand.
About Scubapro Nova 850R Dive Light with Battery and Charger
The Scubapro Nova 850R diving light delivers intense illumination, ideal for lighting up the dark spaces and bringing out the vibrant colors on night dives as well as day dives. It is machined from heavy-duty aluminum with a rugged matte black finish with blue accents so is both lightweight and built to last. It’s also easy to use. A 50% mode allows you to increase burn time if you don’t need the full power. For divers looking to brighten their dives, the Nova 850 is the perfect choice. The Nova 850R is powered by a single 18650 lithium-ion rechargeable battery. The Scubapro Nova 850R Dive Light is equipped with a Cree XPL LED that provides 850 lumen illumination; 17,000 lux @1m; CCT (correlated color temperature) of 4200°K and has an approximate 50,000-hour lamp life expectancy.
The light has a penetrating narrow beam angle of 8°. Extended light head shroud prevents the light beam from blinding other divers. Double O-ring seals ensure watertight integrity. Push-button switch on the end of the light is easy to activate, even when wearing gloves. A special safety lock mode prevents accidental activation. Over-pressure valve releases battery off-gassing a safety feature not normally found on dive lights at this price point. Light is depth rated to 492′ (150m) to ensure worry-free lighting in virtually all diving conditions. Powered by an 18650 lithium-ion battery with a burn time of up to 2-hours on full power. Includes a lanyard and EVA carry case with foam insert. Light measures (L x Dia.) 5.9″ x 1.7″ (150mm x 43mm) and weights 9.5 oz. (270 g) with battery. (incl. Charger, Charger cable and battery)