SeaLife vs Dive Rite
Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light vs BX2 Handheld Light
Controls, charging and beam choice for your next torch.
SeaLife
Dive Rite
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 Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light.
We’d start with SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light. We like the tight underwater beam and three brightness levels for a small handheld light. Choose Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light instead if its strengths are a better match: we like BX2 for the straightforward twist control and the option to use Dive Rite’s QRM hand mounting system.
Which one suits you?
SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light
We like the tight underwater beam and three brightness levels for a small handheld light. A narrow beam is not what we would choose for lighting a wide video scene.
Get to know this model →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 →Specifications side by side
The details that matter, side by side. “Check with the brand” means we have not confirmed that detail.
| Detail | SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light | Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light |
|---|---|---|
| OutputCheck with the brand | 1600 lumens | Check with the brand |
| Underwater beamCheck with the brand | 4.5° | Check with the brand |
| Brightness levelsCheck with the brand | 100%, 50%, 25% | Check with the brand |
| SignallingCheck with the brand | Flash and SOS | Check with the brand |
| Camera mountingCheck with the brand | Optional YS adapter SL98104 | Check with the brand |
| LEDCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | CREE XP-L high intensity |
| ControlCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Twist activation |
| BatteryCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | 3500 mAh rechargeable 18650; micro-USB charging |
| Output behaviourCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Over one hour at peak, then gradual reduction (manufacturer) |
| MountingCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | QRM compatible |
Showing all 10 specification rows.
What the differences mean when you buy
Beam and usable illumination
SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light
- Underwater beam
- 4.5°
- Output
- 1600 lumens
Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light
Ask the brand about this detail before ordering.
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
SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light
- Brightness levels
- 100%, 50%, 25%
Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light
- Battery
- 3500 mAh rechargeable 18650; micro-USB charging
- Output behaviour
- Over one hour at peak, then gradual reduction (manufacturer)
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
SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light
- Camera mounting
- Optional YS adapter SL98104
Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light
- Mounting
- QRM compatible
- Control
- Twist activation
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
Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light
The Mini 1600 increases SeaLife’s compact torch output to 1600 lumens and narrows the underwater beam to 4.5°. It retains three brightness settings, flash and SOS modes, plus an optional instant-on configuration. The concentrated beam favours a small area of interest over broad camera coverage.
What we like
We like the tight underwater beam and three brightness levels for a small handheld light.
What would make us think twice
A narrow beam is not what we would choose for lighting a wide video scene.
More about the Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light →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 →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.
SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light
- Manufacturer details
- Scuba Diving / ScubaLab: SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1200 & 1600: ScubaLab First Look
Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light
Product details and further reading →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?
SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 1600 Underwater LED Dive Light: A narrow beam is not what we would choose for lighting a wide video scene. Dive Rite BX2 Handheld Light: Brightness falls after its peak-output period; do not read the total burn time as constant brightness.
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.
