The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Picking Your First OrcaTorch
If you’ve only ever dived in the crystal-clear tropics, you might think a dive light is a luxury you can do without. But for the rest of us, a high-quality torch is an essential safety tool and a way to restore colours underwater. As you descend, water absorbs light—starting with reds and oranges. By 10 metres, everything appears a dull blue-grey. A good light revives those vibrant reef colours and helps you peer into rocky crevices where the coolest critters hide.
As the UK’s #1 OrcaTorch stockist, we’ve put the best-selling handheld models head-to-head to help you choose your first underwater companion.
1. The Ultimate Multi-Tool: Orcatorch ZD710 MK2
If you’re the type of diver who wants a single piece of gear that can do everything, the ZD710 MK2 is the top choice. Its party trick? An adjustable beam angle. But that comes with a trade-off in size. This adjustable beam powerhouse is also the largest model in its range.
- The Beam: Using a unique twist-head, you can transition from a piercing 4° spot beam (perfect for signaling your buddy) to a massive 72° floodlight.
- The Power: In “Turbo” mode, it pumps out 1500 lumens.
- Burn Times: It’s built for long days on the boat. You get 2 hours on High (880 lumens), 3 hours on Medium (420 lumens), and a massive 12 hours on “Energy-saving” mode (150 lumens).
- The Build: Constructed from high-strength A6061-T6 aluminium, it features a titanium alloy side button with a built-in safety lock so it won’t accidentally turn on in your gear bag. It’s depth-rated to 150 meters, far exceeding any recreational limit.
- The Battery: It uses an included 21700 5000mAh USB-C battery that charges directly from any compatible wall plug (or car adapter) without a separate charge cradle. Spare batteries can also be optionally purchased.
Read all the specs of the Orcatorch ZD710 Dive Light
2. The Pocket Rocket: Orcatorch D710
The more compact Orcatorch D710 is known as the “Pocket Rocket” of the diving world. It is smaller and lighter than the ZD710, making it an ideal travel companion, but it lacks an adjustable beam. If you’re into some serious underwater videography, also check out the Orcatorch D710V Video Dive Light.
- The Beam: It features a fixed 6° concentrated centre beam. This is the “sabre” of dive lights—ideal for cutting through murky coastal waters or highlighting a tiny nudibranch.
- The “Boost”: It features a massive 3000-lumen Boost mode. While this mode is brief to prevent overheating, it’s incredible for lighting up a dark wreck or cavern for a couple of minutes.
- Runtimes: On High (1,700 lumens), you get 1 hour and 40 minutes, which covers most standard recreational dives (and batteries can be replaced in between dives). On Medium (800 lumens), its burn time extends to just under 4 hours. And on Low (400 lumens), it lasts nearly 8 hours.
- The Battery: It features an included 21700 5000mAh USB-C battery that can be charged directly from any compatible wall socket or car adapter, without needing a separate charge cradle. Spare batteries are also available for purchase if desired.
- Bonus: It comes in various body colours, so you can finally match your torch to your fins or mask, or suit!
Read all the specs of the Orcatorch D710 Dive Light
3. The Rugged Reliable: Orcatorch D700
Don’t like buttons? The D700 is designed for divers who value mechanical simplicity and extreme durability. Like all Orcatorch twist head dive lights, a long thread and triple O-rings make switching on and off the light underwater safe and straightforward.
- The Switch: Instead of a push-button, it uses a mechanical head rotary switch (twist-to-activate). This is a favorite for cold-water divers wearing thick gloves who might find small buttons fiddly.
- The Specs: You get a clean 1700 lumens with a focused 6° beam at a colour temperature of 6500K.
- The Power: Cited burn time is 1 hour 50 minutes subject to changes in ambient temperature and battery health.
- The Battery: It features an included 21700 5000mAh USB-C battery that can be charged directly from any compatible wall socket or car adapter, without needing a separate charge cradle. Spare batteries are also available for purchase if desired.
- Safety First: Similar to other dive lights in this range, it features triple O-ring protection and internal “intelligent overheat protection,” ensuring the LED stays cool even if you use it on the surface briefly before a night dive.
Read all the specs of the Orcatorch D700 Dive Light
4. The Compact Classics: Orcatorch D530 & D520
If you’re looking for a primary light on a budget, or perhaps your first dedicated backup light, these two are tried-and-tested legends in the diving community.
- OrcaTorch D530: A sleek, 1300-lumen light with an 8° super-focused beam. It features a smart LED battery indicator as part of the magnetic switch apparatus: Green means you’re good to go, Red means you’re under 30%, and Flashing Red means it’s time to head for the surface! Battery: 18650 USB-C rechargeable, 3400mAh. The D530 even has a dedicated 1200-lumen video version: the Orcatoch D530V.
Read all the specs of the Orcatorch D530 Dive Light
- OrcaTorch d520: This 1000-lumen workhorse with a fixed beam of ~12° (spot) to ~72º (corona) has earned quite a reputation — even our local scallop divers who bash about haven’t managed to beat it to death after a few years of use! It features a straightforward, reliable twist-on control mechanism. It’s slightly warmer in colour (5000K), with excellent colour rendition, making the yellows and reds underwater look remarkably natural. The centre-spot beam of the D520 is ~12° for long-range penetration and to point out specific objects, whereas the ~72° corona of this beam provides a view of the surrounding environment. Battery: 18650 USB-C rechargeable, 3400mAh.
Read all the specs of the Orcatorch D520 Dive Light
Orcatorch Handheld Dive Lights Specs Comparison Table
| Model | Max Lumens | Beam Angle | Switch Type | Battery Included |
| ZD710 MK2 | 1500 (boost) ~ 880Lm | 4° – 72° (Adjustable) | Titanium Button | 21700 5000mAh USBC |
| D710 | 3000 (Boost) ~ 1700Lm | 6° (Fixed) | Titanium Button | 21700 5000mAh USBC |
| D700 | 1700 | 6° (Fixed) | Rotary Twist | 21700 5000mAh USBC |
| D530 | 1300 | 8° (Fixed) | Titanium Button | 18650 3400mAh USBC |
| D520 | 1000 | ~12° – 72º (Fixed) | Rotary Twist | 18650 3400mAh USBC |
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
- For the “Allrounder”: The ZD710 MK2 offers the most flexibility for videography, photography and signaling but it also largk,ers in size and heavier than the others in this lineup. yo
- For the “Lumen-Hunter”: The D710 offers unrivalled brightness in a tiny form factor, and its sibling D530 comes second for titanium button dive lights.
- For the “No-Fuss” Diver & Reliable Backup: The rotary-twist D700 is an excellent choice, positioned between the D710 and D530, with a high lumen output. Meanwhile, the D520 series has proven to be an affordable and nearly indestructible dive light, equally easy to operate while wearing heavy gloves.
No matter which you choose, every OrcaTorch we sell comes with a high-quality rechargeable battery, charging cable, a set of spare O-rings and a wrist lanyard to ensure you don’t drop your new pride and joy into the abyss!
Looking for a more powerful Primary Dive Light?
Check out our review of the Orcatorch D630 V.2 umbilical (canister) torch and the handheld power of the Orcatorch D920.
Dive Light Pro-Tips: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Buying your first high-end torch is an investment. Here are the most common questions we get from new divers in our showroom:
Q: How do I make sure my torch doesn’t leak?
A: It’s all about the O-rings. Before every dive, check the rubber rings at the base of the head or battery compartment. Ensure they are clean, hair-free, and lightly lubricated with silicone grease. If an O-ring looks cracked or “flat,” replace it immediately using the spares included in your OrcaTorch box.
Q: Can I use my dive light on land?
A: Briefly, yes—but be careful! High-lumen LEDs generate significant heat. While OrcaTorches have Intelligent Overheat Protection that drops the brightness if the unit gets too hot, they are designed to be cooled by water. Using them for long periods on land can shorten their lifespan or, with extended use, burn them out.
Q: What is “Burn Time” and why does it change?
A: Burn time is how long the battery lasts on a single charge. It varies based on the mode you use. For example, the ZD710 MK2 lasts 2 hours on “Turbo” but up to 12 hours on “Energy-saving.” For most recreational dives (45–60 minutes), any of these torches will easily last for two consecutive dives on a single charge. The rule of thumb is to rely on ~80% of the advertised burn time, while also accounting for ambient temperature and battery recharge cycles. The more a battery is charged and used, the less burn time to expect.
Q: Why does my light have a “Safety Lock”?
A: There is nothing worse than opening your dive bag at the site only to find your torch accidentally turned on and the battery dead. Given the high intensity of LED lights, a torch left on in a container, whether a dive bag or box, is also a fire risk. On models like the D710, a quick double-click or long-press (depending on the model) locks the button so it can’t be bumped “on” during travel.
Q: What’s the difference between a “Spot” and a “Flood” beam?
A: A Spot beam (like the 6° on the D710) is a tight, piercing laser-like light. It’s great for murky water and signalling buddies – or for signalling in emergencies. A Flood beam (like the wide setting on the ZD710 MK2) spreads light evenly over a large area—perfect for Go-Pro videos or seeing everything inside a wreck or small cavern.
[View the Full OrcaTorch Collection Here]