Light & Motion’s release of its acclaimed Sola 600 dive / focus light was only its first step. Since Alex Mustard’s glowing review at the end of August, Light & Motion has expanded the suite of compact Sola lights to include dive lights, photo lights, and video lights. Each product line is subtly different, aimed for specific use cases (although any light can be used for any purpose).

The lights are all called “Sola” and feature varying combinations of spot/flood beam patterns, built-in red beam, and adjustable power levels. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the Sola space.

The Sola Dive line features 3 different lights: Sola Dive 500, 600, and 1200. The 600 and 1200 feature both spot and flood beams (toggle). The 500 only features spot. All models feature 3 power levels. Sola Dive lights feature a blue bezel.

MODELS		SOLA 500D	SOLA 600D	SOLA 1200D
MSRP		$379	$579	$679
Output Lum:		500 Spot	670 Flood 500 Spot	1200 Flood 500 Spot
Run Time: Min		High- 70 Med- 140 Low- 280	High-80 Med- 160 Low- 320	High- 70 Med- 140 Low- 280
System Weight		287 gr	287 gr	287 gr
Battery		2 Cell Li-Ion	2 Cell Li-ion	2 Cell Li-ion
Charger		1.5 Amp	1.5 Amp	1.5 Amp
Dimensions		57mm x 101mm	57mm x 101mm	57mm x 101mm

The Sola Photo line features the Sola Photo 500 and 600. The 500 produces a 500-lumen flood, while the 600 produces a 670-lumen flood and and 500-lumen red. Both lights feature 3 power levels for white light. The new Sola Photo 600 features 3 different power levels for red, addressing one of the early criticisms made about the old Sola 600, which only has one. (UPDATE: The lumen measurements for red light power levels are 225, 110 and 55 on high, medium and low, respectively). Light & Motion has not yet decided whether or not it will update older lights with adjustable red. The feature is so new it hasn’t even made it onto their website yet. Sola Photo lights feature a red bezel.

MODELS		SOLA 500P		SOLA 600P
MSRP		$379		$579
Output Lum:		500 Flood		670 Flood 500 Red
Run Time: Min		High- 80 Med- 160 Low- 320		High- 80 Med- 160 Low- 320 Red- 320
System Weight		283 gr		283 gr
Battery		2 Cell Li-ion		2 Cell Li-ion
Charger		1.5 Amp		1.5 Amp
Dimensions		57mm x 101mm		57mm x 101mm

The Sola Video line features the Sola Video 4000 and 1200. The Sola 1200 features both spot and flood beams with 3 power levels of each. Not much is known about the Sola 4000, which only currently exists in prototype form. The Sola 4000 will ship in April 2011 and should feature 7 power levels, be neutrally buoyant, and support clip-on filters and diffusers. Sola Video lights feature a silver bezel.

MODELS		SOLA 1200V	SOLA 4000V
MSRP		$679	$1,599
Output Lum:		1200 Flood 500 Spot	4000: 7 levels
Run Time: Min		High- 70 Med- 140 Low- 280	High- 60 Med- 120 Low- 240
System Weight		265 gr	750 gr
Battery		2 Cell Li-Ion	6 Cell Li-ion
Charger		1.5 Amp	5.0 Amp
Dimensions		57mm x 101mm	85mm x 143mm

There you go – a full roundup of the Sola lineup.

Light & Motion lent Wetpixel 4 lights to take on our Ambon Night Safari and Raja Ampat expedition last month. We’ll be posting video and photos of the lights in action, soon. Stay tuned!