SUUNTO Lights

Cold Canadian waters, both fresh and salt, host a world of fascination. Coastal waters support a profusion of brightly coloured fish and invertebrates but, as we descend, these colours quickly disappear into hues of grey and green and only our dive light can bring them back. In addition to colouring the underwater world, dive lights also enable us to explore the domain of the various critters by letting us peer into their darkened lairs and dens. A dive light is a very necessary piece of equipment if we are to take full advantage of the underwater experience.

For years now we have become familiar with the name Suunto and their line of high quality dive computers and gauges. Recently Suunto has come out with two new lights, the Finnlight 10 and the Finnlight 20.

The Finnlight 10 is a small flashlight powered by four C size batteries in a two by two, side by side configuration and its compact size makes it perfect for tucking into a BC pocket. It may be small but this light really packs an impressive punch. Its narrow piercing beam is good in poor visibility conditions and for peering into cracks and crannies. The Finnlight 10 works well as a day time dive light or could be used as a backup light.

The Finnlight 20 is powered by four D cells in line. I have used the Finnlight 20 as a primary light on night dives and although it too has a narrow beam, it is very bright and I found it quite adequate.

The large slide switch on both lights works well although the small switch locking mechanism is a little tricky to manipulate with heavy gloves on. The lights are positively buoyant so will float if dropped. Both come with a powerful halogen bulb and also a spare bulb mounted in the reflector housing.

The rugged thermoplastic casing is tested to a depth of 50 metres and comes in blue, lime green and black.