Orcatorch D720 Review
A reliable, adjustable-beam primary dive light that performs across all environments. The Orcatorch D720 has been with me on every dive for over a year, delivering consistent brightness, flexible beam control, and durable construction. Whether I’m diving cold quarries, guiding students, or traveling for warm water, this light adapts to the conditions and never lets me down.
Overall Score: 8.4 / 10
Last updated: July 2025
After more than a year and 50+ dives, the Orcatorch D720 has become my go-to primary dive light. From cold Midwest quarries to warm tropical dives, it has been on every single dive I’ve done. The key reason I upgraded from my older D710 was the D720’s adjustable beam. Being able to dial from tight spot to wide flood lets me adapt to visibility, task loading, and even buddy awareness. It has earned a permanent place in my kit.
Yes. It has the power, beam adjustability, and reliability to stand on its own. I’ve used it for everything from quarry night dives to murky daytime exploration. It cuts through low visibility without being overwhelming in clearer water.
The light head twists to adjust the beam angle. You can go from a tight, focused spotlight to a wider flood. This gives you control over how much light you throw and where it lands. The only challenge is adjusting it one-handed if it's mounted in a soft Goodman handle.
Definitely. Even at lower settings, it is plenty bright. At full power in spot mode, it easily outshines many compact lights. The beam is also narrow enough to avoid blinding your buddy if you keep it aimed properly.
I added a bolt snap to the rear and run it in an Oxycheq Raider III soft Goodman handle on my left hand. This keeps it secure and hands-free, but it does limit your ability to twist the bezel easily while diving.
Just one. The twist head can be hard to operate underwater if you're wearing gloves or if it's mounted to your hand. The friction is high, so turning it while in a Goodman handle takes some effort or requires a pre-dive adjustment.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Beam angle can be adjusted from spot to flood | Difficult to adjust bezel while mounted |
| Very bright and effective in all conditions | No visual battery level indicator |
| Reliable on every dive with no failures | |
| Compatible with soft Goodman handles | |
| Solid build, good battery life |
Why I Chose Orcatorch D720
I originally used the Orcatorch D710 as my primary light and had no complaints about brightness or quality. However, I wanted more control over beam shape. The D720 gave me that flexibility. Whether I’m signaling a student in low visibility or just scanning a reef gently on vacation, being able to tweak the beam is incredibly useful. Staying with Orcatorch made sense since I already trusted their design and consistency.
Verdict
The D720 has never missed a dive. It is bright, rugged, and gives me the adjustability I didn’t realize I needed until I had it. While the twist bezel has some limitations in terms of ergonomics, the benefits far outweigh that minor tradeoff. It is my primary light for all conditions and I have zero interest in replacing it.
Would I buy it again? Yes. No hesitation. It fills the gap between fixed-beam lights and complex canister systems beautifully.
Who Orcatorch D720 Is Best For
This item is best suited for:
- Divers who want an adjustable beam without going full canister
- Divers who regularly switch between night, low visibility, and clear conditions
- Anyone who uses a soft Goodman handle and needs a robust primary light
It may not be ideal for:
- Users who prefer fixed-beam lights with no manual adjustments
- Those looking for a light specifically designed for one-handed bezel control while mounted
Deep Dive into the Score
Scoring System: Each category is scored out of 10 and weighted by importance. This model is used consistently across all gear reviews for transparency.
| Category | Score (0–10) | Weight | Weighted Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Function & Performance | 9 | 30% | 2.7 |
| Ease of Use | 7 | 20% | 1.4 |
| Versatility | 9 | 15% | 1.35 |
| Durability & Build Quality | 9 | 15% | 1.35 |
| Value | 8 | 10% | 0.8 |
| Brand Trust & Transparency | 8 | 10% | 0.8 |
| Total | 8.4 | ||
Rounded Display Score: 8.4
Deep Dive Score Explanations
- Function & Performance – 9: The light does exactly what it claims and performs well across conditions. Adjustable beam is a major plus.
- Ease of Use – 7: Twist control is simple but harder to operate underwater, especially when mounted. No quick-access switch.
- Versatility – 9: Spot or flood on demand makes it useful in any dive scenario. Works for signaling, scanning, or wide illumination.
- Durability & Build Quality – 9: No failures after 50 dives. Feels solid with no visible wear. Bolt snap mod was easy to add.
- Value – 8: Price is fair for what it delivers. Not cheap, but far more useful than lower-end fixed-beam lights.
- Brand Trust & Transparency – 8: Orcatorch has earned my trust with two reliable lights. Support could be more visible, but the product works.
My Custom Setup or Configuration
I added a bolt snap to the back of the D720 and run it on my left hand using an Oxycheq Raider III soft Goodman handle. This keeps the light aligned and frees both hands for other tasks.
- Bolt Snap: Attached directly to tailcap for clean clipping during gear-up and exit
- Goodman Mount: Soft Oxycheq Raider III. Fits well and is easy to adjust over gloves
The only drawback of this setup is that once the light is secured to my hand, it is nearly impossible to adjust the beam without using both hands. I usually set the beam before entering the water.
Performance in the Water
- Visibility Penetration: Excellent in both low and clear visibility. Spot mode cuts through silt nicely.
- Battery Life: No issues. Holds a charge well even after storage. Easily lasts several dives on a full charge.
- Comfort & Handling: Soft mount is secure and does not chafe. Light is well-balanced and does not roll.
- Signal & Communication: Beam tightness helps with buddy awareness and directional signals during training dives.