Dive “beacon” xtar or orca

[lexvil]

Overall a thing that may or may not matter but due to unusual circumstances I have been diving in about 6 weeks so I start looking for projects.

Anyway there have been some posts from the manufacturers recently, it’s an item I don’t normally have a call to use but I looked and these are pretty cheap.
I bought the Xtar SD1 kit, $30 and it comes with a rechargeable 16340 battery and an Orcatorch SD01 orange beacon (looks more yellow than orange)

Xtar comes in disposable packaging, it includes a lanyard and carabiner and the Orca comes in a cool little zippered package also with a lanyard, both include spare orings.

Xtar has 8 options 4 colors and a flashing version of each color, Orca just flashes, it used a AAA battery and is much less bright

These things have their place, tank markers for night dives to marking exit points. Both are metal and plastic construction and very well made, the Xtar is the more versatile I think but that cool little pouch of the orca…

Good news is the Xtar fits in the Orca pouch

 

[Eric802]

Is the Xtar positively buoyant? One of the beefs I've heard about the Orcatorch beacons is that they're negative, so they won't float up above your tank.

 

[lexvil]

Is the Xtar positively buoyant? One of the beefs I've heard about the Orcatorch beacons is that they're negative, so they won't float up above your tank.

No, both sink like a rock. Probably have to rig them to a rubber ducky for them to float up .

 

[heftysmurf]

For what it's worth, underwater during night dives, OrcaTorch is certainly plenty bright, at least in my experience. I'm sure I can post a pic after work.

 

[lexvil]

For what it's worth, underwater during night dives, OrcaTorch is certainly plenty bright, at least in my experience. I'm sure I can post a pic after work.

No doubt it’s all you need.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

No experience with Orcatorch one but I like the Xtar one that I have.

That is a nice little case. I clip mine off with a bolt snap to the milk crate I drag around.