Fisheye FIX / FIX Neo Lights

Manufacturer: Fisheye Co., Ltd. (Japan) Type: Focus lights and video lights (LED and halogen) Years active: 2004–present Key models: HG20DX, LED1000DX, Aquavolt 3500/7000, Neo 1500 SWR, Neo Mini 1000, Neo 3000, Aquavolt Mini 5000

Overview

The Fisheye FIX light range was the product line that created the dedicated underwater focus light category. As Alex Mustard wrote in his 2010 review of the competing Light & Motion Sola: “The big revolution in focus lights came with the introduction of Fisheye FIX light range (highly recommend in James Wiseman’s Wetpixel review in 2004), which was the product that caused a mainstream switch from small diving torches to dedicated focus lights among serious shooters” (^[1]).

Before FIX, underwater photographers used repurposed dive torches — narrow-beam, often too bright or too dim, not designed for camera work. The FIX HG20DX (2004) offered a wide, even beam specifically designed for autofocus assistance and subject illumination, with variable power control and a purpose-built form factor. Over the next decade, Fisheye iterated through halogen, LED, and COB technologies, culminating in the modular FIX Neo system (2014) with interchangeable light heads, LCD displays, and fiber-optic remote control.

Fisheye Co., Ltd. is a Japanese company directed by Kenji Ohmura (also spelled Omura), who also founded the Seatool housing brand. In September 2021, Fisheye acquired Sea & Sea, making it a subsidiary (^[2]).

Product Timeline

FIX HG20DX (2004) — The Pioneer

The original FIX light and the product that defined the category. Reviewed by James Wiseman in December 2004 (^[3]).

• Type: 20W halogen
• Features: Variable power dial, rechargeable battery, optional red filter
• Depth rating: 120m
• US Distribution: Reef Photo & Video (Ryan Canon)

Wiseman noted the wide, even beam that made it ideal for focus assistance, but found reliability issues — the halogen bulb burned out after approximately 4 days (16 dives) of use, and the battery cap was difficult to unscrew. Despite these issues, the light established the paradigm: a purpose-built, variable-output illumination tool for underwater photographers, distinct from dive lights designed for navigation.

FIX LED48DX / LED44DX (2006)

Shown at DEMA 2006, the LED versions replaced the fragile halogen bulb with solid-state lighting — a 48-LED high-end model and a less expensive 44-LED version (the same unit sold by Fantasea) (^[4]).

FIX LED1000DX and LED500DX (2009)

Previewed at DEMA 2008 and shipped May 2009 (^[5], ^[6]).

• LED1000DX: 1000 lumens, Li-Ion battery with multivolt quick charger, $599
• LED500DX: $299
• Features: Variable output dial, blink function, battery level indicator, leak sensor, YS adapter, 120m depth rating
• Improvements over HG20DX: Twice as powerful, improved locking mechanism, larger power dial, larger knurled battery cap, inner cap to block water intrusion

Eric Cheng at DEMA 2008: “The FIX LED1000DX is a fantastic upgrade from their older halogen and LED-based lights. It produces 1000 lumens, has a 120-meter depth rating, easy-to-open cap, an inner cap to block water from entering when opening the light, an optional wired remote control, and a higher-capacity battery” (^[7]).

FIX Aquavolt 3500 (June 2012)

A significant step up in output for video work (^[8]).

• Output: 3500 lumens, 24 LEDs
• Beam: 115°
• Burn time: 60 min at full power
• Color temp: 6500–7000K
• Depth: 100m
• Weight: 498g (air) / 295g (water)
• Price: $1,380 / £1,059.95
• Features: Rear LCD screen showing output power, battery life, temperature, and remaining burn time; machined aluminium body; double o-ring seal; optional fiber optic remote controller
• UK Distribution: Fisheye UK

FIX Aquavolt 7000 (March 2013)

Reviewed by Adam Hanlon (^[9]).

• Output: 7000 lumens, 42 LEDs
• Beam: 115°
• Color temp: 6500–8000K
• Burn time: 55 min at full power, then drops to 20% for 20 more minutes
• Depth: 100m
• Weight: 1,190g (air) / 510g (water)
• Price: £1,439.95

Hanlon’s conclusion: “The output to size ratio seems unique, and they are significantly brighter than any other similar sized lights that I am currently aware of.” Light loaned by Alex Tattersall of Underwater Visions.

FIX Neo System (2014) — The Modular Rebrand

Previewed at ADEX 2013 and officially released April 2014, the Neo series represented a complete redesign with a modular philosophy (^[10], ^[11]).

Launch models (April 2014):

Key Neo innovations:

• Microprocessor-controlled consistent output (no dimming as battery drains)
• 25% power steps + 1% micro adjustments
• LCD status display
• Dual charging: external gold contacts (no need to open light) or swappable battery
• Interchangeable light heads (buy body once, swap heads)
• FR1 fiber optic remote controller ($199) — controls up to 4 lights simultaneously
• Red filter for light-sensitive marine life (used because “there is a patent on red LED lights on an underwater light” per ADEX 2013 report)

US Distribution shifted from Reef Photo & Video to Nauticam USA (Fort Lauderdale, FL) starting with the Neo series. Chris Parsons, Nauticam USA: “The Neo is the culmination of listening to market demands and delivering the most advanced underwater photo and video light system to date.”

FIX Neo 1500 DX SWR (April 2015)

Spot + Wide + Red in one unit (^[12]).

• Output: 1500 lumens wide (100°), 500 lumens spot (30°), 250 lumens red
• Burn time: 55 min wide, 150 min spot, 180 min red
• Price: $599
• Features: 1% power increments, swappable battery, FR1 remote capable

FIX Neo 3000 DX (May 2015)

COB (chip-on-board) LED for video work (^[13]).

• Output: 3000 lumens, 100° beam
• Burn time: 55 min
• Depth: 100m
• Price: $799

FIX Neo Mini 1000 WR (May 2015)

Billed as “The Focus Light Reimagined” (^[14]).

• Output: 1000 lumens white (95°), 100 lumens red (95°)
• Burn time: 90 min white, 120 min red
• Weight: 160g
• Price: $299
• Features: Auto shut-off when strobe flash detected, swappable Li-ion battery, YS mount

This became one of the most popular and recommended FIX products in the community. Users continued recommending it years after it was discontinued — in 2023, forum member draq called it “my favorite” focus light (^[15]), and in 2022 Adam Hanlon noted it was “sadly discontinued” (^[16]).

FIX Neo Aquavolt Mini 5000 (September 2015)

High-output video light (^[17]).

• Output: 5000 lumens (CREE CX2540 LED)
• Beam: 100°
• Color temp: 5000K
• Weight: 565g
• Burn time: 55 min
• Depth: 150m
• Price: $1,199

FIX Neo Premium 2200 DX (September 2015)

First “Premium” model emphasizing color accuracy for video (^[18]).

• Output: 2200 lumens
• CRI: Ra95
• Color temp: 4000K
• Beam: 100°
• Burn time: 55 min
• Price: $799

FIX Aquavolt 10000 (2016)

Shown at ADEX 2016, available May 2016. 10,000 lumens — “weighs a little less than twice as much” as the Aquavolt Mini 5000 with “similar burn times” (^[19]).

Comparison to Light & Motion Sola

The Sola 600 (2010) and FIX LED1000DX competed directly. Mustard’s comparison (^[20]):

The Sola’s sealed design eliminated flood risk entirely — a major advantage. The FIX Neo series (2014+) responded with external gold-contact charging while maintaining the variable output and interchangeable head advantages.

Distribution History

• 2004–2013: Reef Photo & Video (Ryan Canon, Richard Perry) and Backscatter in the US
• 2014–present: Nauticam USA became primary Americas distributor for FIX Neo
• UK: Fisheye UK (fisheyeuk.com)
• International: fixneo.com
• Third-party accessories: Noodilab (Kay Burn Lim) made optical light condensers for FIX Neo lights (January 2017) (^[21])

By 2016, Nauticam USA explicitly listed their dealer network as “your source for the finest underwater imaging products from Inon, Fix Neo, and Keldan” (^[22]).

Community Impact

The FIX light range established several paradigms that became industry standard:

1. Variable output — a rotary dial for continuous power control (vs. fixed levels)
2. Wide, even beam — designed for autofocus assistance, not navigation
3. Red mode — for working with light-sensitive marine life
4. Purpose-built form factor — compact enough to mount on a camera arm, bright enough to serve as primary illumination for macro subjects

The community’s continued affection for discontinued FIX products (particularly the Neo Mini 1000 SWR) years after they left the market speaks to how well-designed these lights were. Forum discussions in 2022–2023 still reference them as benchmarks against which newer lights are measured.