**Update, September 2026:** the AP02 has been discontinued and is no longer listed on Amazon Australia. The closest current model is the [APLOS AP30, 3000 lumens for about $68](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BXLJ9T5S?tag=scubadownun08-22). The review below covers the AP02 as we tested it.

The APLOS AP02 punches well above its $62 price tag, delivering 2500 lumens of genuinely useful output in a solid aluminium body that feels like it belongs in a higher price bracket.

Finding a decent dive torch under $100 used to mean accepting serious compromises. The AP02 changes that equation. For $62 you get a rechargeable aluminium-bodied torch rated to IPX8, throwing 2500 lumens through a beam that is wide enough for general diving and focused enough to be useful for spotting critters in holes. It is not going to replace a $400 primary canister light for cave diving, but for recreational night dives at Cabbage Tree Bay or lighting up the inside of a wreck at HMAS Brisbane, it does a surprisingly capable job.

## Overview

The AP02 uses a high-output LED housed in a machined aluminium body with a rear-mounted magnetic switch. It is powered by a rechargeable battery and comes with a USB charging cable, so there are no disposable batteries to worry about. The aluminium construction gives it a solid, durable feel, and the IPX8 waterproof rating means it is designed to handle submersion well beyond recreational depths. A wrist lanyard and basic mounting hardware are included.

## Key Features

- 2500-lumen LED output from a single emitter - Machined aluminium body with anodised finish - IPX8 waterproof rating for reliable submersion - Rechargeable battery with USB charging - Magnetic rear switch for easy operation with gloves - Wrist lanyard included

## The Good

- The output is impressive for the money. 2500 lumens is enough to serve as a primary torch on most recreational night dives. On a recent night dive at Clifton Gardens, the AP02 lit up the sandy bottom across a wide area and brought out the colours in cuttlefish and decorator crabs. - The aluminium body feels genuinely robust. It has a quality heft to it that inspires confidence. After six months of use including salt water, sand, and the occasional bump against a boat gunwale, ours shows only minor cosmetic marks. - Rechargeable battery is a welcome feature at this price. You charge it via USB before a dive trip and forget about carrying spare batteries. A full charge lasts comfortably through two standard night dives. - The magnetic switch works well with gloves. You can feel the click through 5mm neoprene, which matters on a cold winter night dive off the NSW south coast. - IPX8 rating has held up in our testing. No moisture ingress across multiple dives to 25 metres, including entries with the torch switched on. - At $62, the value proposition is strong. Comparable output from name-brand dive torch manufacturers typically costs three to four times as much.

## The Bad

- The beam profile is a compromise. It is neither a tight spot beam nor a wide flood, it sits somewhere in between. This works for general use but is not ideal for photography fill lighting or long-range spotting in low vis. - Brand recognition is limited. APLOS is not a household name in Australian dive shops, so sourcing replacement parts or warranty service may require dealing directly with the manufacturer online. - The magnetic switch, while functional, can occasionally be activated by contact with metal objects in a dive bag. We learned to store it with the head wrapped in a cloth to prevent accidental activation and flat batteries. - The anodised finish, while durable, does show scratches more visibly than a matte-finish torch. Purely cosmetic, but worth noting. - The included lanyard is flimsy. Replace it with a proper wrist lanyard or bolt snap before taking it on a dive. - No multiple beam modes. You get full power or off. A lower-power mode would extend battery life on longer dives and be useful for close-range macro spotting without blasting subjects.

## Verdict

The APLOS AP02 is the kind of product that makes you wonder why name-brand dive torches cost so much. At $62, you get 2500 lumens of reliable output in a solid aluminium body with rechargeable convenience. It is not perfect, the beam profile is generic, the brand is unfamiliar and the lanyard needs replacing on day one, but for the price, the performance-to-cost ratio is outstanding. Whether you need a primary light for occasional night dives or a serious backup for deeper work, the AP02 delivers real value.

**Rating: 4.0 / 5 stars**