The long answer is that our LED light specifications (including PC series, C-Lite 8 LED and Pro-V8 LED) have recently changed for a combination of reasons. There are changes in both the overall (average) brightness of the lights, as well as in the way we present the brightness of the lights.
The average brightness in our original specifications was based on a very limited run of prototype, pre-production lights. There is a natural, unavoidable variation in brightness amongst populations of LED lights. We initially chose to publish the lowest, most conservative luminosity from our sample lights.
After many months of production (over a year for the PC series), repeated testing indicates that our LED lights have a more accurate average rating of approximately 80-85 lumens. This number would replace the 45-48 lumens rating we had previously published.
At the same time there appears to have been an industry-wide change in posted specifications. Currently there are no regulations governing manufacturer's luminosity ratings for LED lights. It seems that over the last few months many other manufacturer's of underwater lights have changed their reference point for a light's luminosity. Most have now chosen to reference the peak luminosity, or brightness when the light is first turned on, rather than the average luminosity. This number, which we had never previously published or referenced, is the 135 lumens you now see listed.
So hopefully this clears up the confusion over the new numbers. I plan to post this detailed explanation on the website as well, but haven't had a chance to get it up yet. While we don't like to play the numbers game with our products, it's only fair to follow the unofficial industry standard and give consumers a chance to compare lights on an equal playing field.
The short answer is that the light you purchased a couple of months ago is the same light we are currently advertising on our website.
Regards,
Jean / Ikelite
IKELITE Underwater Systems
