Have you ever gone scuba diving at night or in a low visibility environment and you end up playing hide and seek with your dive buddy? Or maybe you’ve felt anxious during a night diving or entering caverns because you could not see other divers anywhere near you. This is where scuba tank marker lights come in.
- What are scuba tank marker lights?
- Why do divers use dive tank marker lights?
- 10 Best Scuba Tank Marker Lights in 2021
- 1. 500-Hour Water-Activated Flashing Dive Marker Light
- 2. Water-Activated Scuba Tank LED Light
- 3. Glo-Toob FX Waterproof Emergency Dive Light
- 4. Orcatorch SD01 Mini Glow Tank Beacon
- 5. End Game Tackle Company Clip-on Floating LED Light Marker
- 6. Glo-Toob AAA Waterproof Emergency Dive Light
- 7. Trident LED Light Stick Dive Light
- 8. Promate Firefly Glow Dive Beacon Light
- 9. BigBlue Easy Clip Safety Marker Light
- 10. Princeton Tec Aqua Strobe LED light
- How to take care of your scuba marker light
What are scuba tank marker lights?
Scuba marker lights or dive tank lights are small waterproof signal lights that serve as a beacon for divers in the water. They are used by scuba divers to help see and identify each other while diving in the dark or in waters with low visibility.
These special scuba lights emit a soft glow that can be seen from a distance for easy identification. Scuba lights for dive tanks are often in distinct colors like green, blue, yellow, red or white to make them stand out in the dark.
The light emitted from the scuba tank markers is very minimal. They are not meant to be used as dive flashlights or dive torches. If you are looking for a primary or main dive light for night diving, do check out my list of best scuba diving lights.
Why do divers use dive tank marker lights?
When you’re doing a night dive, a cave dive, or diving in murky waters, it is recommended you attach a scuba marker light to your dive tank valve as an extra safety precaution. In many dive situations, you might not see the diver instantly, but an underwater light beacon attached to a diver’s air cylinder can be spotted almost immediately. This can put your mind at ease, knowing that someone is close by.
In dive sites where there might be heavy diver traffic, the colored diving beacons can also help differentiate who is part of your dive group or buddy team. With diver tank lights, you never have to worry about losing your dive buddy, your dive guide, or anyone part of your group.
These dive tank marker lights are also helpful scuba accessories while on the surface. The flash or continuous light from the dive markers can make it easier for people on the surface to find the divers in the water at night. During an emergency situation, these submersible safety lights can help locate divers lost or in distress.
Scuba diving marker lights are like Cyalume light sticks, but they are more eco-friendly and economical. Unlike the glow sticks that are filled with chemicals and can only be used once, diver marker lights can be used over and over again. If you are still using chemical glow sticks in your night dives, you should make the switch to the reusable scuba tank lights instead. It will save you money and help save the planet.
If you are night diving for the first time, make sure to buy one of these practical diving accessories. Using one of these dive tank lights will greatly reduce your anxiety while scuba diving in the dark. And, make sure to also read my best night diving tips before you enter the water!
10 Best Scuba Tank Marker Lights in 2021
If you would like to have more safe and less stressful dives, here are 10 of the best scuba tank marker lights to help spot divers in the dark.
1. 500-Hour Water-Activated Flashing Dive Marker Light
Light Colors: Green or Red
Run Time: Up to 500 hours
Depth Rating: Does not specify
Battery Type: Built-in battery
Why you might love this dive tank marker light:
- Light activates when it comes in contact with water and turns off when it is dried
- Blinking or flashing mode only
Why you might not like this dive tank marker light:
- Batteries are non-replaceable when it has run out.
- Has had some user complaints with regards to activation and deactivation
2. Water-Activated Scuba Tank LED Light
Light Colors: Blue and Green
Run Time: Up to 700 hours
Depth Rating: 3000 feet (914 meters)
Battery Type: Built-in battery
Why you might love this scuba strobe lights:
- Activates when in contact with salt or freshwater
- Completely reusable. After use, just dry and store.
- Made of non-corrosive material
- Comes in a set of 2 so it’s perfect for you and your dive buddy
Why you might not like this scuba strobe lights:
- Batteries are non-replaceable
- Does not float up and might not be visible in some angles
3. Glo-Toob FX Waterproof Emergency Dive Light
Light Colors: Available in red, amber, blue, green and white
Run Time: 30 hours
Depth Rating: 11,482 feet (3500 meters)
Battery Type: 12V (23A) alkaline battery
Why you might love this emergency dive light:
- 7 different light modes: flash, fast strobe, slow strobe, SOS, throb, 100% constant on, 25% constant on
- The world`s toughest, brightest, and smallest emergency light marker.
- Solid “cylinders of light” utilize super high bright LED light that can be seen from over 1 mile away
- Easy to replace batteries
- Can be used not just for diving but for other outdoor activities as a personal beacon or marker during emergencies
Why you might not like this emergency dive light:
- Premium pricing
4. Orcatorch SD01 Mini Glow Tank Beacon
Light Colors: Available in red, white, blue, yellow, green
Run Time: 108 hours
Depth Rating: 150 meters
Battery Type: AAA Battery
Why you might love this scuba strobe light:
- Rotary switch: tighten the head to turn on the strobe and loosen it to turn off
- Strobe light flashes 3 times per 2 seconds.
- Batteries can be replaced easily with AAA battery
- Can be used on land as a signaling device
- Assorted colors available to help identify members of a dive group
Why you might not like this scuba strobe light:
- Might be too tiny and light might be too weak in some conditions
5. End Game Tackle Company Clip-on Floating LED Light Marker
Light Colors: Available in Green, Red, White, Disco colors
Run Time: 500hr battery life
Depth Rating: Does not specify
Battery Type: Built-in battery
Why you might love this water-activated marker lights:
- Scuba tank light is water-activated and works well in both fresh and saltwater
- Dive tank light automatically turns off when you exit the water
- It floats upward and is tethered to the tank using a 12″ lanyard with a clip so it can be seen easily.
- Epoxy sealed LED light
- Sold in pairs
Why you might not like this water-activated marker lights
- Batteries are non-replaceable
6. Glo-Toob AAA Waterproof Emergency Dive Light
Light Colors: Available in red, amber, blue, green and white
Run Time: 4-15 hours
Depth Rating: 200 feet (60 meters)
Battery Type: AAA battery
Why you might love this dive tank marker light:
- 3 Light Modes, 100% Power, 25% Power, Flash
- Removable Lanyard with Quick Release Clip
- Uses One AAA Battery with a life of 4-15 Hours Depending on Light Mode
- Super high bright LED so powerful that it can be seen from over 1 mile away
- Can be used not just for scuba diving. Perfect for camping, road side emergencies, and other outdoor activities
Why you might not like this dive tank marker light:
- Short battery life compared to other dive markers
7. Trident LED Light Stick Dive Light
Light Colors: Available in blue, green, red, white, orange
Run Time: Does not specify but lamp life is 50000 hours
Depth Rating: 330 feet (100 meters)
Battery Type: Comes with 3 Batteries LR47
Why you might love this scuba tank light:
- Looks like a tiny lightsaber! Might even be a cool gift for Star Wars fans
- Continuous light emitted from the LED wand
- Replaceable batteries
- Turn on or off when you twist the light
Why you might not like this scuba tank light:
- LR47 batteries might be hard to source and replace, carry spare batteries just in case you are in the middle of nowhere
- Comes with a plastic clip that can easily break apart
- Some divers find the glow to be too weak
8. Promate Firefly Glow Dive Beacon Light
Light Colors: Available in red, yellow, green, blue
Run Time: 20 hours
Depth Rating: not specified
Battery Type: Three CR1220 Batteries
Why you might love this dive beacon light:
- Strong Continuous light
- Twist to switch on and off
- Replaceable batteries so you can reuse the light over and over again.
- One of the smallest signal lights for scuba diving
- Comes with a neck strap May be used on other outdoor activities like camping, jogging, trekking at night
Why you might not like this dive beacon light:
- Batteries might be hard to source in some remote areas
- Might not be bright enough in some water conditions
9. BigBlue Easy Clip Safety Marker Light
Light Colors: Multi-color red, green, blue, purple, orange, and yellow
Run Time: Up to 72 hours
Depth Rating: 333 feet (100 meters)
Battery Type: 2x standard CR2032 coin cell batteries
Why you might love this dive safety marker light:
- You can clip it to mask straps, belts, and other location on your body or dive gear that needs attention
- Comes with a lanyard to keep it attached to your equipment.
- Twist to turn on and off
- One scuba marker light that can switch to different colors
Why you might not like this dive safety marker light:
- plastic clip can break easily
10. Princeton Tec Aqua Strobe LED light
Light Colors: White Maxbright LED
Run Time: 12 hours
Depth Rating: 328 feet (100 meters)
Battery Type: 1 AA Alkaline battery
Why you might love this scuba strobe LED light:
- Buoyant cone design keeps the light pointed upward to make it more visible
- Twist to activate
- 100 lumens power
- 60 flashes per minute
- Connect to your tank or bcd using the lanyard or velcro strap
Why you might not like this scuba strobe LED light:
- bulky size compared to other scuba marker lights
- might be too bright and blinding in close range
How to take care of your scuba marker light
To prevent your scuba tank marker light from malfunctioning or flooding, there are several things you can do to take care of your scuba diving accessory. Here are some of the things you should do before and after using your dive safety lights:
- Make sure to rinse your dive light in fresh, clean water after each dive.
- Dry it completely before storing.
- If batteries can be removed, take them out to avoid corrosion while in storage.
- If your dive marker lights are not factory sealed, double check the o-rings. Make sure they are cleaned and correctly positioned to prevent flooding.
- Store in a case while in transit to avoid damaging the plastic body of the scuba marker light.
- Bring extra batteries with you at all times.
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Every scuba diver who loves doing night diving or cave diving should include dive tank lights in their scuba diving gear and equipment kit.
If you haven’t tried night diving or cave diving or are interested in this type of diving, you can check out the PADI Night Diver or PADI Cavern Diver. And don’t forget to take your dive beacon light with you!
Which scuba tank marker lights do you use or will you use while night diving? Have you used dive marker lights in the past? What was your experience like?
Do you think scuba tank lights should be required while diving in the dark? Leave a comment below!
