Dive Rite vs Cressi
BX2 Handheld Light vs Astra 2100 Dive Torch
Controls, charging and beam choice for your next torch.
Dive Rite
Cressi
Scores are our editorial opinion of these models, based on features, suitability and ownership trade-offs—not hands-on test results. How we chose →
We’d pick the BX2 Handheld Light.
We’d start with Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light. We like BX2 for the straightforward twist control and the option to use Dive Rite’s QRM hand mounting system. Choose Cressi Astra 2100 Dive Torch instead if its strengths are a better match: astra appeals to us for magnetic charging and simple full- or half-power selection without opening the body.
Which one suits you?
Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light
We like BX2 for the straightforward twist control and the option to use Dive Rite’s QRM hand mounting system. Brightness falls after its peak-output period; do not read the total burn time as constant brightness.
Get to know this model →Cressi Astra 2100 Dive Torch
Astra appeals to us for magnetic charging and simple full- or half-power selection without opening the body. The battery is built in, so it is a different travel and charging choice from a torch with swappable cells.
Get to know this model →Specifications side by side
The details that matter, side by side. “Check with the brand” means we have not confirmed that detail.
| Detail | Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light | Cressi Astra 2100 Dive Torch |
|---|---|---|
| LED | CREE XP-L high intensity | CREE XHP50 |
| ControlCheck with the brand | Twist activation | Check with the brand |
| Battery | 3500 mAh rechargeable 18650; micro-USB charging | Built-in 5000 mAh |
| Output behaviourCheck with the brand | Over one hour at peak, then gradual reduction (manufacturer) | Check with the brand |
| MountingCheck with the brand | QRM compatible | Check with the brand |
| OutputCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | 2100 lumens |
| ModesCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | 100%, 50%, strobe |
| ChargingCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Magnetic USB |
Showing all 8 specification rows.
What the differences mean when you buy
Beam and usable illumination
Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light
Ask the brand about this detail before ordering.
Cressi Astra 2100 Dive Torch
- Output
- 2100 lumens
Compare beam angles measured on the same basis. An explicitly underwater angle is not automatically comparable with an unlabeled angle, and total lumens do not measure central intensity on the subject. Adjustable beams change coverage. Watts describe electrical power and cannot be directly ranked against another light’s lumen figure.
Battery and output over time
Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light
- Battery
- 3500 mAh rechargeable 18650; micro-USB charging
- Output behaviour
- Over one hour at peak, then gradual reduction (manufacturer)
Cressi Astra 2100 Dive Torch
- Battery
- Built-in 5000 mAh
- Charging
- Magnetic USB
Distinguish constant full output from a period that includes reduced output. Up-to runtime and runtime at a selected power level are different claims. Confirm the supplied battery, approved chemistry, charging arrangement and available spares. A matched endurance winner requires comparable conditions rather than simply selecting the larger printed number.
Handling, mounting and package
Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light
- Mounting
- QRM compatible
- Control
- Twist activation
Cressi Astra 2100 Dive Torch
Ask the brand about this detail before ordering.
Try the controls with gloves and evaluate the complete mounting arrangement. A ready-to-use weight including a handle is not equivalent to a bare light-head measurement. Check lanyards, mounts, chargers and cells in the package, and establish the light’s role within your planned lighting system rather than selecting it on a depth-rating headline.
A closer look at both
BX2 Handheld Light
The BX2 is a twist-on handheld torch with a focused centre beam and surrounding spill. Its knurled body gives you a substantial gripping surface, while compatibility with Dive Rite’s QRM system provides a route to mounting it on a hand strap. The current package includes a rechargeable 18650 cell, cable, lanyard and case.
What we like
We like BX2 for the straightforward twist control and the option to use Dive Rite’s QRM hand mounting system.
What would make us think twice
Brightness falls after its peak-output period; do not read the total burn time as constant brightness.
More about the BX2 Handheld Light →Astra 2100 Dive Torch
The Astra 2100 is Cressi’s rechargeable scuba torch with full, half and strobe settings. A magnetic USB connector charges its built-in 5000 mAh battery without opening the housing. The current store description specifies a CREE XHP50 LED and a maximum output of 2100 lumens.
What we like
Astra appeals to us for magnetic charging and simple full- or half-power selection without opening the body.
What would make us think twice
The battery is built in, so it is a different travel and charging choice from a torch with swappable cells.
More about the Astra 2100 Dive Torch →Four checks before you place an order
- Identify the intended lighting role and the beam coverage it requires.
- Compare current revision, output mode and runtime basis using the exact manufacturer specification.
- Try controls and mounting with your normal gloves and equipment.
- Confirm supplied batteries, chargers, approved spare cells and transport guidance for the trip.
Ask for a quote for the complete kit, including the accessories you need. That makes the price comparison much more useful.
Price, accessories and owning the equipment
Include the battery, charger, spare pack and mounting arrangement in the purchase total. A light supplied without cells or a proprietary pack can have different ownership costs from an apparently similar complete kit. Ask about replacement O-rings, charging parts and service support rather than judging value by lumen count alone.
For an upgrade, identify whether the current issue is beam shape, control access, reliable output duration or handling. Follow the manufacturer guidance for battery handling, sealing and charging. A cave or technical model name is not an endorsement for an overhead dive or a substitute for the required lighting plan and training.
How we scored these models & further reading
These are our subjective buying scores out of 100. We weigh the usefulness of the features, the intended diving or carrying job, and the compromises involved in owning the gear. They are not laboratory measurements, safety grades or customer averages. The verdict applies to the two named models, not everything either brand makes.
90–100: one of our first choices for the stated job. 80–89: a strong option with trade-offs. 70–79: a more specific fit. A different fit, camera, valve or dive plan can change which one you should buy.
Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light
Product details and further reading →Cressi Astra 2100 Dive Torch
- Manufacturer details
- Plongée à la Carte: Test : Cressi Astra 2100 — torche sous-marine à LED rechargeable
Questions worth settling
Does the higher lumen number mean the better dive light?
Not by itself. Beam geometry, output duration, controls and the intended role matter. Published figures may use different measurement conditions. This comparison does not create a performance score where there is no matched independent test.
Which is the better buy for this particular comparison?
Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light: Brightness falls after its peak-output period; do not read the total burn time as constant brightness. Cressi Astra 2100 Dive Torch: The battery is built in, so it is a different travel and charging choice from a torch with swappable cells.
Our pick is where we would start. Choose the other model if its fit or features better match your setup—especially where a camera, valve, boot or exposure suit needs an exact match.
