The Battle: Sea & Sea YS vs SeaLife Strobe Sea Dragon

[DevilEyeDog]

Newer underwater photographer who enjoys taking pictures for personal happiness with no drive to do anything other than post on facebook to show family/friends that I dive and they don't so they should be jealous.

Therefore I don't need super fancy. I also don't want dog-poop like products either.

I want a strobe with manual settings so I can grow in my photography skill and aspire to post one day on instagram.
I have a ball mount system.

I know Sea & Sea YS01 is likely the "better" strobe, but why. What makes it "better" than the SeaLife Sea Dragon.

Can you even mount the SeaLife Sea Dragon strobe on a ball mount? If the answer is no then this battle is over.

Many thanks in advance for your knowledgeable and amazing answers!

 

[Chris Ross]

Don't know if it's detachable, but doesn't look like you can remove it from the tray and mount on a ball?? The downside is long 5s recycle time, the YS_01 is better at 2.5s and the INON S2000 even better at 1.5s. It also has less flashes per set of batteries. Here's a comparison page: Best Strobe for Underwater - The Ultimate Strobe Guide | Mozaik UW

I would look at the S-2000, another advantage it has is the INON slave sensor is much more sensitive than the S&S, which means more reliable triggering.

 

[DevilEyeDog]

Thanks Chris Ross! Awesome information and thoughts. I really appreciate the breakdown of big reasons why the Sea & Sea is better. Rockstar!

 

[Ardy]

I have used both SnS and Inon and for me it is the SnS for its ability to sustain a battery flood and survive. SnS and Inon are considered to be the best flashes out there for good reason. Both are well thought out and have worked well for a long time.

A s/h SnS or an Inon would be a better buy than a new one outside of these 2.

Proviso: I flooded an Inon and a SnS very different outcomes. I have never used Ikelite but told they are very good. I drive my flashes ONLY on Manual.

 

[pfirejack]

There is a ball mount adapter available from sealife so all sealife lights & strobes will work with any system.

 

[hilljo88]

I have a pair of Sea Dragons. Got a good deal on them. I shoot in manual and have been happy with them. Recycle time is slower than others. Varies from about 1 sec to 5 sec. note that your camera cycle time can be controlling factor. I find them to be a good combination of price/ performance/size and weight.