TillyTec LED 2000 underwater VIDEO light

Took advantage of TillyTec's fairly unique offer to upgrade almost any of its light-heads or battery-packs to a newer more powerful one.

That is, I exchanged my outdated-technology HID 35 not just for one, but for two new LED 2000 VIDEO light-heads, in order to have a dual evenly illuminated video lighting solution.

TillyTec's standard LED 2000 has a 175W halogen equivalent 10° beam ideal for technical diving, whereas the non-focussed VIDEO version has a more diffused 110° wide beam optimal for videography.


⊕ Modular & expandable underwater lighting system configurable to one's needs.

⊕ Power: Seven hi-tech LEDs delivering 175W of halogen equivalent output according to TillyTec's specifications (5500°K, 45000 Lux).

∅ Despite its power, the VIDEO version has a rather limited range.

⊕ Burn time: two LED 2000 light-heads can shine for more than 100' on one TT 3 NiMh battery-pack. (note that it is not possible to connect two LED 2000s to a single Flexi II or TT 2 battery)

⊕ Robustness.

∅ It's not possible to dim the output, nor change the beam's angle.

⊕ A diffuser is available that can be popped on or off underwater. While not needed for the VIDEO version (except maybe for reducing its intensity), it can be useful for softening the SPOT version's beam.

∅ Note that, even with diffuser, the LED 2000 SPOT has a hotspot when pointed towards nearby subjects or surfaces, so this option is not recommended for e.g. macro photography or close-up videography.

⊕ A Goodman handle and flexible arms are available as accessory. Both can hold e.g. TillyTec's HID 35, LED 1000 or LED 2000.

⊕ IMO, TillyTec's LED 2000 VIDEO produces nice hotspot-free illumination for macro photography or close-up videography.

→ macro photography illuminated by just one LED 2000 VIDEO
→ close-up videography illuminated by one LED 2000 VIDEO

TillyTec LED 1000 underwater light

Having a movie project in mind needing illumination, I once more turned to TillyTec, maker of lights for divers venturing into darkness. And came back home with a bright new TillyTec LED 1000.


⊕ Modularity & expandability.

⊕ Power: 100W halogen equivalent output according to the manufacturer's specifications (5000°K, 25000 Lux).

⊕ Burn time: 195' on my Green Force Flexi II NiMh battery.

⊕ Robustness.

∅ It is not possible to dim the light's output, nor change the beam's angle from e.g. spot to flood. Remark that while you can slightly adjust the beam's focus while underwater, it's not really recommended to do so, due to the risk of flooding should any dirt have lodged itself on the lens's o-ring.

⊕ The clear glass lens can be replaced by a frosted one for more diffused lighting purposes.

⊕ A Goodman handle is available as optional accessory, and highly recommended for e.g. cave or wreck diving, where having one's hands free for other tasks may be crucial.

⊕ Great light both for recreational & technical diving.

→ LED 1000 in action while night diving with & filming white tip reef sharks around Cocos Island

→ LED 1000 (with diffuser) in conjunction with a HID 35 (with flood reflector) while cave diving in Mexico

TillyTec HID 35 underwater light

I met Tilly at Boot 2006. He's one of the original men behind Green Force. Until he went his way and formed his own company. TillyTec's modular lights are fully compatible with Green Force's components.

Disappointed by Green Force's misinformation and lack of improved models, and having some reservations about their HID lights, Tilly had no trouble convincing me to try out one of his new power lights.


⊕ Modularity & expandability. Not to mention compatibility with my Green Force set-up, i.e. umbilical cable & Flexi II battery pack.

⊕ Power: with an output equivalent to a 125W halogen bulb, this High Intensity Discharge light shines very brightly indeed (5500°K).

⊕ Burn time: combined with my Green Force Flexi II NiMh battery, TillyTec's HID 35 burns for about 90'. Coupled with a TT 3 battery pack, it can shine for up to 200': enough for long exploration dives.

⊕ Robustness is a critical requirement when cave or wreck diving. Luckily this light head is build so as to withstand some rough treatment. Meaning the bulb shouldn't burst just because you bump or dump it. And supposedly it will even keep burning should the light head get flooded for some reason.

⊕ Great light for technical diving purposes.

⊕ A HID bulb's lifetime is primarily measured in number of times one can power it on & off. With an expected 2000 switches, this one should last for a while.

∅ HIDs have a warm-up & cool-down delay, meaning they can't just be switched on & off at will.

∅ It is not possible to dim the light's output, nor change the beam's angle from spot to flood. Remark that while you can slightly adjust the beam's focus while underwater, it's not really recommended to do so, due to the risk of flooding should any dirt have lodged itself on the lens's o-ring.

⊕ You can choose from two reflectors and two glass types depending on your lighting needs. The standard light head comes with a 10° reflector and clear glass lens providing a nicely focused beam.

⊕ For use with my digital camera, I also bought an 80° flood reflector and frosted glass lens, in order to reduce, if not avoid, any hotspot. The frosted glass spreads out the light more evenly, further increasing the flood reflector's beam angle to about 100°, thereby however also reducing its intensity. Note that while adequate, this solution's not quite optimal yet for videography. Compared to a dedicated video light head though, it's a very affordable alternative.

⊕ A Goodman handle is available as optional accessory, and highly recommended for e.g. cave or wreck diving, where having one's hands free for other tasks may be crucial.