ABOUT US

Light makes anything possible. It’s a symbol of hope and innovation. From runners to Emergency service workers, light is a must-have to keep everyone safe and secure. For over 40 years, Princeton Tec has been pushing back the darkness with robust, dependable lighting for every situation.

LIFE BEGAN IN THE OCEAN

Our story begins 40 years ago in Princeton, New Jersey. Bill Stephens was running a diving shop he founded with friends whilst still working his daytime engineering job.

When Bill’s engineering firm tried to relocate the Stephens family to non-coastal Indianapolis, far from Bill’s favourite diving spot in the Atlantic Ocean, Bill quit and focused on creating the industry’s first automatic dive timer, called the Bottom Timer. Princeton Tec was born.

LIFE BEGAN IN THE OCEAN

Our story begins 40 years ago in Princeton, New Jersey. Bill Stephens was running a diving shop he founded with friends whilst still working his daytime engineering job.

When Bill’s engineering firm tried to relocate the Stephens family to non-coastal Indianapolis, far from Bill’s favourite diving spot in the Atlantic Ocean, Bill quit and focused on creating the industry’s first automatic dive timer, called the Bottom Timer. Princeton Tec was born.

THE BOTTOM TIMER

SCUBA (that’s Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) divers need to know how long they can safely remain underwater before nitrogen builds up in their blood, otherwise bad things can happen. In the mid 1970s, only one luxury brand made a waterproof wristwatch and it was most definitely out of the price range of most divers. The Bottom Timer was the first fully automatic, waterproof stopwatch that tracked your time underwater.

Word quickly spread about the Bottom Timer. As it became the go-to dive timer, Bill and his team began packaging it with a depth gauge and a pressure gauge. Together, those three pieces of equipment allowed people to dive safely, with greater peace of mind. The company was growing. But we soon hit a bump in the road.

THE BOTTOM TIMER

SCUBA (that’s Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) divers need to know how long they can safely remain underwater before nitrogen builds up in their blood, otherwise bad things can happen. In the mid 1970s, only one luxury brand made a waterproof wristwatch and it was most definitely out of the price range of most divers. The Bottom Timer was the first fully automatic, waterproof stopwatch that tracked your time underwater.

Word quickly spread about the Bottom Timer. As it became the go-to dive timer, Bill and his team began packaging it with a depth gauge and a pressure gauge. Together, those three pieces of equipment allowed people to dive safely, with greater peace of mind. The company was growing. But we soon hit a bump in the road.

TIME FOR CHANGE

Affordable, waterproof digital watches started to become widely available in the early ‘80s and sales of the Bottom Timer began to drop. Luckily, Bill and his team had another product up their sleeve. The Bottom Light was the first affordable, waterproof torch available to divers. Made from high-quality, injection-moulded plastic, Bill hand-turned the first models on an 80-year-old lathe he bought from a military surplus shop.

The Bottom Light was an immediate hit – and it shifted the company in a bright, new direction. Princeton Tec had already moved from its dive shop premises into a 2,500-square foot building. By the mid-80s, Bill’s son, Hal, would turn up after school to run the injection moulding machine that still produced Bottom Timers and the new Bottom Lights.

TIME FOR CHANGE

Affordable, waterproof digital watches started to become widely available in the early ‘80s and sales of the Bottom Timer began to drop. Luckily, Bill and his team had another product up their sleeve. The Bottom Light was the first affordable, waterproof torch available to divers. Made from high-quality, injection-moulded plastic, Bill hand-turned the first models on an 80-year-old lathe he bought from a military surplus shop.

The Bottom Light was an immediate hit – and it shifted the company in a bright, new direction. Princeton Tec had already moved from its dive shop premises into a 2,500-square foot building. By the mid-80s, Bill’s son, Hal, would turn up after school to run the injection moulding machine that still produced Bottom Timers and the new Bottom Lights.

SHINING A LIGHT ON NEW MARKETS

As the market was increasingly flooded with cheap imports, we increased our product line range and began offering the Bottom Light in a rainbow of colours. It was the ‘80s, after all, so divers were excited to match their torch to their wetsuit. We added a wrist cord, revamped the packaging to include batteries, and started selling our torches to the emergency services.

Clearly, there was a whole new world out there, eager for better lighting. The company moved into a 12,000-square foot factory and added 15 more moulding machines. The Bottom Light evolved into the TEC 40 and TEC 400 (which we still produce today) and we added the iconic Sector 5 & Sector 7 pistol grip handheld torches to the range. When we introduced the Solo – a waterproof, incandescent headtorch – outdoor enthusiasts took notice. We connected with paddlers, campers, walkers and climbers – and we’ve never looked back.

SHINING A LIGHT ON NEW MARKETS

As the market was increasingly flooded with cheap imports, we increased our product line range and began offering the Bottom Light in a rainbow of colours. It was the ‘80s, after all, so divers were excited to match their torch to their wetsuit. We added a wrist cord, revamped the packaging to include batteries, and started selling our torches to the emergency services.

Clearly, there was a whole new world out there, eager for better lighting. The company moved into a 12,000-square foot factory and added 15 more moulding machines. The Bottom Light evolved into the TEC 40 and TEC 400 (which we still produce today) and we added the iconic Sector 5 & Sector 7 pistol grip handheld torches to the range. When we introduced the Solo – a waterproof, incandescent headtorch – outdoor enthusiasts took notice. We connected with paddlers, campers, walkers and climbers – and we’ve never looked back.

HEAD TORCHES

It’s no exaggeration to say that head torches have been transformative for Princeton Tec. By moving our lights from hands to heads, we’ve been privileged to serve a whole new group of customers – from climbers and campers to emergency workers and global peacekeepers. The Solo was Princeton Tec’s first waterproof or water-resistant headlamp. Next, we introduced the industry’s first LED headtorch, the Matrix, which was a game-changer for brightness, durability and burn time.

We’re always refining our design and manufacturing to create head torches that can withstand just about anything. The Sync is renowned for its single arm bracket and dial interface, while the Quad can run on alkaline or lithium batteries. The Apex shines in places like Alaska, where extreme conditions require serious light, power and durability. Just like you, we’re determined to keep pushing the limits of what’s possible.

HEAD TORCHES

It’s no exaggeration to say that head torches have been transformative for Princeton Tec. By moving our lights from hands to heads, we’ve been privileged to serve a whole new group of customers – from climbers and campers to emergency workers and global peacekeepers. The Solo was Princeton Tec’s first waterproof or water-resistant headlamp. Next, we introduced the industry’s first LED headtorch, the Matrix, which was a game-changer for brightness, durability and burn time.

We’re always refining our design and manufacturing to create head torches that can withstand just about anything. The Sync is renowned for its single arm bracket and dial interface, while the Quad can run on alkaline or lithium batteries. The Apex shines in places like Alaska, where extreme conditions require serious light, power and durability. Just like you, we’re determined to keep pushing the limits of what’s possible.

THE FAMILY SERIES

Speaking of head torches, we soon introduced the first member of Princeton Tec’s Family Series: the Fuel. Our team looked at the available headlamp options and decided to create some alternatives. The Family Series features an asymmetrical bracket that rotates on its own axis, which centres the weight and prevents the headlamp from flopping forward. The Family Series also includes lighter-weight models and easy user interfaces. In due time, the Fred, Remix, Sync, Axis and Bot (which is ideal for mini adventurers) joined the ranks.

THE FAMILY SERIES

Speaking of head torches, we soon introduced the first member of Princeton Tec’s Family Series: the Fuel. Our team looked at the available headlamp options and decided to create some alternatives. The Family Series features an asymmetrical bracket that rotates on its own axis, which centres the weight and prevents the headlamp from flopping forward. The Family Series also includes lighter-weight models and easy user interfaces. In due time, the Fred, Remix, Sync, Axis and Bot (which is ideal for mini adventurers) joined the ranks.

LANTERNS

In the early Noughties, we knew our customers needed a better lantern. We conceived a robust, easy to use light with lots of intuitive features. The design and engineering teams worked relentlessly before we introduced the Helix – a first-of-its-kind lantern that hangs, sits, dims, collapses, and glows in the dark. We’ve continued to expand this product line with new lamps, more lumens, and rechargeable models.

LANTERNS

In the early Noughties, we knew our customers needed a better lantern. We conceived a robust, easy to use light with lots of intuitive features. The design and engineering teams worked relentlessly before we introduced the Helix – a first-of-its-kind lantern that hangs, sits, dims, collapses, and glows in the dark. We’ve continued to expand this product line with new lamps, more lumens, and rechargeable models.

DESIGNING OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS

We’re not saying you should ditch the instructions that come with your favourite Princeton Tec lights, but we do try to create products that are easy to use straight out the box… like the Sync, which features a simple dial interface. Our designers and engineers really do obsess over every detail. They push to ensure the controls are easy to use and intuitive, and the components work seamlessly. Once you’ve experienced our products, using a Princeton Tec light should feel like coming home.

Since our diving shop beginnings, we’ve chosen to use engineering-grade materials and brand name components, including the batteries. Our polycarbonate plastic is the same material used to make motorcycle helmets, bulletproof glass and aircraft windshields. It’s virtually indestructible. Our lights can take a beating, but they won’t crack or break. We also create lights with chemical and UV resistance for customers who are working in extreme and hazardous conditions.

DESIGNING OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS

We’re not saying you should ditch the instructions that come with your favourite Princeton Tec lights, but we do try to create products that are easy to use straight out the box… like the Sync, which features a simple dial interface. Our designers and engineers really do obsess over every detail. They push to ensure the controls are easy to use and intuitive, and the components work seamlessly. Once you’ve experienced our products, using a Princeton Tec light should feel like coming home.

Since our diving shop beginnings, we’ve chosen to use engineering-grade materials and brand name components, including the batteries. Our polycarbonate plastic is the same material used to make motorcycle helmets, bulletproof glass and aircraft windshields. It’s virtually indestructible. Our lights can take a beating, but they won’t crack or break. We also create lights with chemical and UV resistance for customers who are working in extreme and hazardous conditions.

SERVING ATHLETES, PROFESSIONALS AND EVERYDAY HEROES

Today, Princeton Tec operates from two large facilities that house manufacturing, engineering, assembly, distribution and office space. We have over 200 employees, and we still run every part of the business in New Jersey. We’re proud to be an American manufacturer and a local employer.

Most importantly, our catalogue has expanded to feature lights for nearly every situation, condition and environment. We love hearing from customers who use our products in every corner of the world. From Alaska to Afghanistan to Brazil, we know that people rely on Princeton Tec to scale mountains and save lives. It’s a responsibility that we take seriously.

SERVING ATHLETES, PROFESSIONALS AND EVERYDAY HEROES

Today, Princeton Tec operates from two large facilities that house manufacturing, engineering, assembly, distribution and office space. We have over 200 employees, and we still run every part of the business in New Jersey. We’re proud to be an American manufacturer and a local employer.

Most importantly, our catalogue has expanded to feature lights for nearly every situation, condition and environment. We love hearing from customers who use our products in every corner of the world. From Alaska to Afghanistan to Brazil, we know that people rely on Princeton Tec to scale mountains and save lives. It’s a responsibility that we take seriously.