Bluewater Photo announces the Release of the New Ikelite DS165 and RC165 Underwater Strobes

The latest strobes to be released by Ikelite are the Ikelite DS165 and Ikelite RC165 strobes, which deliver matched performance and lighting consistency, ideal for advanced and professional underwater applications. The DS165’s built in electrical bulkhead supports sophisticated TTL and accessory integration, while the RC165 enables flexible off camera lighting via fiber optics—both providing 160 Ws of power, 120° coverage, fast recycle, balanced color, NiMH reliability, and rugged construction. Together, they form a cohesive, powerful, and field-proven lighting system trusted by photographers exploring the world’s most demanding underwater environments.

The Ikelite DS165 Underwater Strobes

The Ikelite DS165 is a robust TTL-capable underwater strobe designed for professional-grade imaging, making it ideal for divers ranging from serious amateurs to seasoned pros. Featuring a powerful 160 Ws flash output , it achieves a guide number of 32 at ISO 100 in air and delivers a daylight-balanced color temperature of approximately 5000 K within the housing.

Encased in an ABS‑PC housing that is corrosion-resistant and significantly lighter than aluminum, the DS165 is depth-rated to 100 meters (330 feet), ensuring durability in challenging environments. Manual exposure control is simplified with a tactile, 10‑stop dial that clicks securely into place at half‑stop intervals, allowing divers to adjust settings effectively—even when wearing gloves.

Recycle times are impressively fast, ranging from 0 to 1.2 seconds, powered by an airline-friendly NiMH battery pack. Unlike common AA battery systems, this custom NiMH pack ensures consistent power delivery and longevity, with many units still performing reliably well past five years of use.

A 205‑lumen spot modeling light aids in composing shots before firing, while the proprietary circular flash tube and soft white powder-coated reflector provide wide and even 100° light coverage without the need for a diffuser. Built with professional use in mind, the DS165 includes a no‑lube positive cam‑lock battery housing, smart charging with international plug options, and full compatibility with legacy Ikelite systems.

The inclusion of an electrical bulkhead (ICCS‑5) enables integration with TTL converters, sync cords, and power-hungry accessories—an exclusive feature that broadens creative control and reduces dependency on external cords.

Field-tested across extreme environments—from the Arctic to Antarctica—this strobe delivers consistent, reliable performance

The Ikelite RC165 Underwater Strobe

The Ikelite RC165 serves as a complementary partner to the DS165, offering identical power output (160 Ws) and the same rugged, depth-rated ABS‑PC build that ensures exposure resistance and prolonged field use. It maintains a 100° beam coverage without diffusers and matches the DS165’s daylight-balanced 5000 K color quality, enabling dual-strobe setups with uniform lighting.

Like its counterpart, the RC165 employs a tactile 10-stop dial with half-stop increments for straightforward manual control and includes a 205‑lumen spot modeling light. The NiMH battery pack and quick recycle capabilities are identical to the DS165, ensuring the pair share the same operational endurance and performance reliability.

The main difference between the two Underwater Strobe models, is that rather than using an electrical bulkhead, the RC165 relies on a fiber‑optic connection for triggering. In TTL mode, it supports compatible fiber‑optic TTL systems and manual triggering via fiber optic slave from any pre-flash or standard flash source. This makes the RC165 ideal for off-camera use, enabling flexible placement on arms, trays, or remote mounts, and ensures the unit retains live status under the sea. It works seamlessly with current Ikelite housings and is also compatible with many legacy systems.

For more details on compatibility or to purchase either the Ikelite DS165 Strobe or the Ikelite RC165 Strobe, visit BluewaterPhoto Store for $995. If you require any assistance or further advice, please do not hesitate to contact our sales team at sales@bluewaterphotostore.com.