Kraken Sports Hydra 5k Video Light

Best For

• Underwater video and photography
• Wide-angle reef and wreck imaging
• Macro and close-focus photography
• Night diving and low-light shooting
• Fluorescence and creative color lighting
• Camera trays where compact size and underwater weight matter

Key Features

• 5000-Lumen Continuous Output: Powerful primary white illumination for underwater video and photography.
• 6000-Lumen Burst Mode: Fiber-optic-triggered brightness boost for compatible still-photography setups.
• 120° Flood Beam: Wide white beam provides broad, even coverage without a narrow spotlight pattern.
• CRI 90: High color-rendering performance helps reproduce natural-looking colors in underwater footage.
• 5600K Color Temperature: Daylight-style white output provides a neutral lighting base for underwater imaging.
• Full WRGBU Lighting: Includes White, Red, Green, Blue, UV, and RGB lighting options.
• Manual RGB Control: Allows custom color mixing for creative underwater video and photography.
• Disco Mode: Automatically cycles through RGB colors.
• 11 Power Levels: Fine brightness adjustment lets you balance output, exposure, and battery life.
• Push-Button Rotary Dial: Rotate to adjust power and press to cycle through lighting modes.
• Battery-Level Indicator: Integrated into the control dial for convenient pre-dive and in-use monitoring.
• Safety Modes: Includes Pulsing Strobe, SOS, and Rapid Blink modes.
• 100 m / 330 ft Depth Rating: Built for recreational and advanced underwater imaging applications.

Specifications

• Brand: Kraken Sports
• Model: Hydra 5000
• Product Type: Underwater Video Light
• Continuous White Output: 5000 Lumens
• Burst Output: 6000 Lumens
• White Beam Angle: 120°
• CRI: 90
• Color Temperature: 5600K
• Power Levels: 11
• Lighting Modes: White, Red, Green, Blue, UV, RGB, Disco Mode, Burst & SOS
• Safety Modes: Pulsing Strobe, SOS & Rapid Blink
• Depth Rating: 100 m / 330 ft
• Burn Time at 100%: 40 Minutes
• Burn Time at 80% / 4000 Lumens: 60 Minutes
• Battery: 3 x 18650 Wrapped Rechargeable Battery Pack
• Charging: USB-C
• Dimensions: 58.5 mm Diameter x 157 mm Length
• Weight on Land: 520 g
• Weight Underwater: 265 g
• Control: Push-Button Adjustment Dial with Battery-Level Indicator

White & Color Lighting

• White: Delivers the primary 5000-lumen output through a wide 120° flood beam.
• Red: Can be used as a lower-profile focus and aiming light for night-diving and imaging applications.
• Green: Provides an alternative focus-assist and creative lighting option.
• Blue: Supports fluorescence work and creative narrow-band illumination.
• UV: Provides ultraviolet illumination for fluorescence photography and observation.
• Manual RGB: Lets you create custom color combinations for creative video and photography.
• Disco Mode: Automatically cycles through RGB colors.

Burst Mode

The Hydra 5000 can produce a 6,000-lumen Burst output when connected to a compatible camera setup through a fiber-optic cable. The light synchronizes with the camera's built-in flash to produce a brief increase in brightness timed with the shutter.

Kraken Sports notes that Burst mode is not a replacement for a dedicated xenon strobe. Its light duration is longer than a conventional photographic strobe, but it can provide additional illumination for slower-moving subjects and macro photography compared with continuous lighting alone.

Battery & Runtime

At maximum 5,000-lumen output, Kraken Sports rates the Hydra 5000 for approximately 40 minutes of burn time. Reducing output to 80%, or approximately 4,000 lumens, extends the rated runtime to approximately 60 minutes.

The light uses a dedicated rechargeable 3 x 18650 wrapped battery pack and supports USB-C charging.

Remote Control & Accessories

The Hydra 5000 is compatible with the optional Kraken Sports RC02 Remote Control, allowing light output to be adjusted without reaching directly for the light. Kraken Sports also offers the FB04 Float for reducing underwater tray weight and a fiber-optic cable for Burst mode synchronization.

What's Included

• Kraken Sports Hydra 5000 Light
• Rechargeable Battery Pack
• Charger / AC Adapter
• USB-C Cable
• YS Mount
• Ball Mount
• Spare O-Rings

Not Included

• RC02 Remote Control
• FB04 Float
• Fiber-Optic Cable
• Camera or Underwater Housing
• Camera Tray or Arms

FAQs

What does CRI 90 mean?
CRI, or Color Rendering Index, describes how accurately a light reproduces colors compared with a reference light source. A CRI of 90 helps the Hydra 5000 reproduce more natural-looking colors in underwater photos and video.

What does the 120° beam angle mean?
A 120° beam spreads light across a wide area, making it well suited to wide-angle video and photography where even coverage is more useful than a narrow spotlight.

What is the difference between continuous and Burst output?
The Hydra 5000 produces up to 5,000 lumens continuously for video and general lighting. Burst mode briefly increases output to 6,000 lumens when triggered through a compatible fiber-optic camera setup.

Is Burst mode the same as an underwater strobe?
No. Kraken Sports specifically notes that Burst mode is not a conventional xenon strobe. Its flash duration is longer, so it is not intended to freeze fast motion in the same way as a dedicated photographic strobe.

How long does the battery last?
Kraken Sports rates the Hydra 5000 for approximately 40 minutes at full 5,000-lumen output and approximately 60 minutes at 80% power, or about 4,000 lumens.

Can the Hydra 5000 be controlled remotely?
Yes. It is compatible with the optional Kraken Sports RC02 Remote Control, sold separately.

How deep can the Hydra 5000 be used?
The light is rated to 100 meters / 330 feet.

Does it include mounting hardware?
Yes. Both a YS mount and ball mount are included, giving you flexibility when attaching the light to a compatible underwater camera system.

Warranty

Kraken Sports backs the Hydra 5000 with a one-year manufacturer warranty, subject to the manufacturer's current warranty terms and conditions.

Expert Insight

The Hydra 5000 hits a useful middle ground for underwater shooters who want substantial output without moving to a much larger lighting system. Its 5,000-lumen CRI 90 white beam handles conventional video duties, while RGB, UV, Burst, and remote-control compatibility add creative flexibility. At 265 g underwater, it also keeps camera rigs relatively manageable while still providing enough power for wide-angle reef scenes and general underwater imaging.