Underwater Light Recommendations

[Shoyrtt]

I'm hauling out my boat next month for bottom paint and the Admiral wants underwater lights. In my limited research, here is what I have come up with so far:

1. Lumitec SeaBlaze Typhoon: https://www.lumiteclighting.com/seablaze-typhoon-through-hull-underwater-light.html

2. Shadowcaster SCR-24: https://www.shadow-caster.com/produ.../24-led-round-underwater-marine-light-scr-24/

3. Ocean LED E7: https://www.oceanled.com/below-water/explore-e7/

4. Aqualuma 24 Series Gen 5: https://www.hodgesmarine.com/aqlaql24rgbg5-aqualuma-24-series-gen-5-thruhull-underwater-li.html

5. Macris Industries MIU Chroma: https://macrisindustries.com/product/miu-chroma-compact/

Any thoughts on these or anything else you have used? The Ocean LED is rated at 11,000 lumens, but at $2,700 each stretches my budget a bit. I can get four of the Shadowcasters for $2,400 rated at 7,500 lumens each. The Lumitec is rated at 10,000 lumens, but again pricey at roughtly $1,850 each. The Aqualuma are budget minded at $750 each, but they don't list the lumens and are made in Australia. I'm also skeptical about the Macris for similar reasons.

 

[Fill Ess]

I went with the Lumitec SeaBlaze X2

It's 6000 lumens but that's enough for me. I also like that it's only a small center hole to drill through the transom.

Besides budget what are your goals for them?

 

[Skybolt]

Same as @Phil S I went with the X2's they are perfect. I have a 4' deep swim platform and they light the whole underneath up perfectly.

 

[Shoyrtt]

I went with the Lumitec SeaBlaze X2

It's 6000 lumens but that's enough for me. I also like that it's only a small center hole to drill through the transom.

Besides budget what are your goals for them?

Phil,

I'm guessing these are the lights you have? https://www.lumiteclighting.com/seablazex2-led-underwater-light-1.html
I want the spectrum option for all of the colors. I would also like them to be durable. I like the thought of the small center hole as opposed to the larger holes needed for the other models.
What sort of controller do you use with the X2s?

 

[ocgrant]

+1 on the X2’s. That is what I am going with. Really no need for the RGB honestly as the white and blue are the best colors to see anything. My buddy just installed 4 of these on his 46 and they were perfect this year in the Bahamas super clear water. Where you are it is green anyway so white is all you need. I am planning on 6 when I haul out, 4 in the back and 1 on each side.

 

[Shoyrtt]

+1 on the X2’s. That is what I am going with. Really no need for the RGB honestly as the white and blue are the best colors to see anything. My buddy just installed 4 of these on his 46 and they were perfect this year in the Bahamas super clear water. Where you are it is green anyway so white is all you need. I am planning on 6 when I haul out, 4 in the back and 1 on each side.

I actually like all of the colors. They show up great in Avalon!
Green:

Blue:

Searching some more I found that Lumitec offers it's "Poco" controller at a very reasonable price. It has a wireless function so you can control the lights on an app through your cell phone or I can go through my Garmin. We have a frontrunner with the X2s and Poco!
https://www.lumiteclighting.com/poco-digital-lighting-control-module1.html

 

[Fill Ess]

Phil,

I'm guessing these are the lights you have? https://www.lumiteclighting.com/seablazex2-led-underwater-light-1.html
I want the spectrum option for all of the colors. I would also like them to be durable. I like the thought of the small center hole as opposed to the larger holes needed for the other models.
What sort of controller do you use with the X2s?

I went for the X2 white/blue instead of the Sprectrum RGBW. My boat is only 10.5 feet wide so 3 in the back. Now I'm wondering if I should add one on each side or if that's overkill? I didn't opt for a controller but that Poco until looks sweet!

 

[Fill Ess]

These are the X2 instructions if you haven't seen them:

https://www.lumiteclighting.com/amfile/file/download/file/41/product/52357/

 

[dtfeld]

Might also want to consider Aqualights. https://www.aqualights.us/
They are another through hull type light. I believe the original owner of my boat installed 4 of them back when they were using HID lights. At some point, a PO removed 2 of the 4 and screwed 2 Lumitec SeaBlaze over the 2” hole. I thought that was a bad idea and this winter I’m reinstalling 2 new AL90 and having the other 2 refurbished, and going with 4 new LED cartridges.

I LOVE lumitec lights…top notch. However, the through hull options have one feature I like. The through hull versions are serviceable in the water. I don’t pull the boat very often, so this is a benefit to me.

These things are impressive. Marine bronze housing, borosilicate glass lens, and a lot more light output. Current ones have been in the water for almost 20 years. The sales rep has been great, so I like the customer service as well. I’ve been working on this project for well over a year and a half, and the Rep Steve has answered every question.

I considered the RGBW SeaBlazeX2, and the same in the Aqualights. The downside is these put out a lot less light, as there are not as many LEDs. I went with Blue as this is the best color underwater IMHO.

Just something to consider.


Removing the Lumitec. Only held in with 3 screws and likely some 4200. These were easily removed!!

All the old hardware

2” mounting hole ready for new thru hull housings.

 

[dtfeld]

2 New and 2 refurbished Aqualights.

 

[mnm99]

2 New and 2 refurbished Aqualights.

View attachment 116930 View attachment 116931 View attachment 116932

Are those 50w or 100w Ebay LED's in the refurbished? I have a bunch of them I play around with.

 

[dtfeld]

Thats what I thought as well. Mounted on a custom heat sink an set into a 2" thru hull.

 

[mnm99]

Thats what I thought as well. Mounted on a custom heat sink an set into a 2" thru hull.

I wonder. I built a a lot of under water lights and those get hot. I wonder how the heat sink cools them off.

 

[dtfeld]

They are in the housing in the water...off course we'll find out.

5 year warranty and they are local to me.