SeaLife, in collaboration with Fire Dive Gear, introduced the new Sea Dragon Mini Fluoro light at the DEMA (Dive Equipment & Marketing Association) tradeshow in Orlando in early November. Featuring the same LED and filter technology as the full-size Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam, the Mini Fluoro emits a powerful blue-light beam and adds an integrated dichroic filter creating the optimal light wavelength to “excite” underwater life.
How does it work?
Here’s how fluorescence works to give underwater viewers an incredible underwater light show: When energy emitted from the fluoro light strikes an atom on the surface of an underwater marine organism, it knocks an electron up to a higher energy state. When the electron decays back to its normal state (usually instantly, after a few nanoseconds), it emits a photon of light (in the visible, lower energy part of the color spectrum). In much simpler terms — when illuminating marine life with the Mini Fluoro’s light, a colorful energy reaction occurs and the sea creature emits its own light.
The compact, handheld Fluoro light uses a blue LED and a special mirrored “dichroic” filter to pinpoint the light wavelength needed for an optimal energy, or light response. The light also includes a yellow-mask barrier filter, which eliminates excess blue light remaining in the viewing area and maximizing the fluoro viewing effect.
“The Sea Dragon Mini Fluoro’s compact size and affordable price makes it ideal for anyone to explore the marvels of underwater fluorescence” says Bjorn Harms, SeaLIfe’s VP and lead product developer. “It’s also the perfect light for dive operators to run nighttime fluoro dives and equip everyone in the group with a Mini Fluoro light and barrier filter.”
The Mini Fluoro light boasts an impressive seven watt/M² brightness at full power, more than enough to get a spectacular display of color, and while fluoro diving and viewing is most visible at night, the light is certainly effective in daylight. Unlike UV lights, Mini Fluoro is powerful, but not harmful to human eyes or those of sea creatures.
The light runs for eight hours on one 18650 rechargeable Li-ion 3400mAh battery at quarter power or two hours at full power. Two single-use CR123 may also be used with four-hour run time at quarter power and one hour at full power. The battery grip features an integrated safety pressure-release valve that relieves internal pressure built-up in the vent if the battery becomes damaged. The light is sold with or without batteries.
The Mini Fluoro light is constructed of an anodized-aluminum machined body for maximum durability and corrosion resistance. The dual O-ring design ensures a reliable waterproof seal down to depths of 330 feet (100 m).
Featuring simple one-button operation, the Mini Fluoro can cycle through three brightness levels: 100 percent, 50 percent and 25 percent brightness.
The Mini Fluoro light includes the universal mask barrier filter with protective cover, lanyard with BCD clip, two spare O-rings and O-ring lube.
The Sea Dragon Mini Fluoro will be available for shipment in November of 2017 and retails for $159.95
SeaLife launched its first fluorescent dive light, the Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam, also in partnership with Fire Dive Gear. one of the world’s foremost experts in fluoro diving and imaging. Favored by divers for its spectacular show of color and impressive nighttime display of emitted energy, fluorescence or “fluoro” diving with specialized lighting has become popular. The Fluoro-Dual Beam is already available at select SeaLife dealers.
About SeaLife
SeaLife Underwater Cameras are made by Pioneer Research in Moorestown, NJ and were first introduced in 1993. In 2000, SeaLife developed the world’s first digital underwater camera. In 2007, SeaLife developed the first non-housed digital underwater camera, and in 2013 SeaLife introduced the powerful Sea Dragon Lighting system and its innovative Flex-Connect tray, grip, arm, and accessory system. By 2014, SeaLife introduced the Micro HD, the world’s first permanently sealed underwater camera, followed by the new Micro 2.0 in 2015 and the cutting-edge DC2000 underwater camera in 2017. SeaLife cameras, lighting and accessories are sold and serviced in 64 countries around the world.
