The KR-S160 is a high-output manual underwater strobe aimed at photographers who want strong, repeatable lighting without relying on TTL. Its combination of 160Ws output, approximately 120° coverage without a diffuser and a 1.6-second full-power recycle time makes it particularly appealing for wide-angle shooters and photographers working in bright ambient light.
Best For
Enthusiast and advanced underwater photographers who shoot manual strobes and want enough power for wide-angle reefs, larger subjects, close-focus wide angle and demanding ambient-light conditions.
Main Advantage
160Ws of flash power paired with broad coverage gives you useful lighting headroom when you need to stop down, illuminate larger scenes or balance stronger ambient light.
Compatibility
Supports fiber-optic triggering and 5-pin electrical sync. Your housing, flash trigger and cable configuration still need to support the chosen connection method.
Important to Know
The KR-S160 does not offer TTL exposure control. It is best suited to photographers who are comfortable setting and adjusting strobe output manually.
Quick Specifications
| Maximum Output | 160Ws |
|---|---|
| Guide Number | GN 16 at 1m / ISO 100 |
| Beam Angle | Approx. 120° without diffuser |
| Full-Power Recycle | 1.6 seconds |
| Full-Power Flashes | Approx. 400 per charge |
| Color Temperature | 5500K |
| Triggering | Fiber optic / 5-pin electrical sync; no TTL |
| Depth Rating | 100m / 330ft |
What You Need to Know
Compatibility
The KR-S160 can be incorporated into many compact, mirrorless and DSLR underwater systems, but the triggering path matters. Confirm that your housing and flash trigger can provide the appropriate fiber-optic or electrical signal before ordering cables.
What You'll Need
In addition to the strobe, most systems require the correct sync or fiber-optic cable plus a compatible strobe arm and clamp. A charged KR-S160 battery pack is required for operation. PLEASE ONLY CHARGE THIS BATTERY WITH THE INCLUDED CHARGER AND CHARGING CABLE
Who Should Choose It?
Choose the KR-S160 if strong manual output and broad coverage matter more to you than automatic TTL exposure. Photographers who strongly prefer TTL may be better served by a strobe designed around TTL integration.
Not sure about your setup? Contact Bluewater Photo with your camera, housing and flash-trigger configuration and we can help confirm the correct connection before you order.
Kraken KR-S160 Underwater Strobe Overview
The Kraken KR-S160 is built around a 160Ws circular flash tube designed to provide broad, even illumination. That combination is especially useful in wide-angle underwater photography, where a strobe needs enough output and coverage to illuminate larger subjects without creating an obvious central hotspot.
At full output, the KR-S160 recycles in approximately 1.6 seconds. At reduced output the practical recycle time becomes considerably shorter, making the strobe useful for moving subjects and sequences where you do not want to wait several seconds between frames.
The tradeoff is straightforward: this is a manual strobe. There is no TTL circuitry to automatically determine flash exposure. For photographers accustomed to controlling strobe output themselves, that keeps operation predictable and puts exposure decisions directly in the photographer's hands.
Key Features
- 160Ws maximum output provides useful power for wide-angle scenes and brighter ambient-light conditions.
- Circular flash tube and broad beam help create smoother, more even illumination across the frame.
- 1.6-second full-power recycle keeps the strobe responsive even when substantial flash output is required.
- 5500K color temperature provides a relatively neutral-to-cool underwater lighting character.
- Manual, S1, S2 and Multi modes provide several ways to integrate the strobe into different shooting workflows.
- 500-lumen spot light provides a built-in aiming/focus-light option for low-light shooting.
- 100m / 330ft depth rating covers recreational diving and many deeper photographic applications.
What's Included
Included with the KR-S160
- KR-S160 underwater strobe
- Dedicated rechargeable battery pack
- Ball mount
- YS adapter
- Dome diffuser
- Warming filter
- USB-C PD charger
- Fiber-optic port cover
- Spare O-rings
Sold Separately / May Be Required
- Compatible fiber-optic or electrical sync cable
- Strobe arm
- Arm clamps
- Housing-side flash trigger or sync connection where required by your camera system
Built for Real Underwater Shooting
Powerful, Broad Light for Wide-Angle Work
Wide-angle underwater photography demands both output and coverage. The KR-S160's 160Ws maximum power and broad beam give you more flexibility when lighting reefs, wreck details, divers and larger marine subjects.
- Useful power for balancing flash against brighter ambient light.
- Broad coverage reduces the need to aim a narrow hotspot precisely.
- Circular flash-tube design helps produce softer transitions toward the edge of the beam.
Fast Recycling with a Dedicated Battery Pack
Kraken specifies a 1.6-second recycle at full 160Ws output and approximately 400 full-power flashes per charge. When you shoot below maximum output, recycle time and the number of available flashes improve substantially.
- Less waiting between high-output frames.
- Dedicated rechargeable battery avoids relying on disposable cells.
- A spare KR-S160 battery can be useful for liveaboards and multi-dive days.
Manual Control with Useful Underwater Feedback
The KR-S160 is designed around manual exposure control, with S1, S2 and Multi triggering modes plus a rear display for checking settings. A built-in 500-lumen spot LED can also assist with aiming and focusing.
- Predictable output for photographers who prefer manual flash exposure.
- S1 and S2 modes provide flexibility with optical triggering and pre-flash behavior.
- Rotatable display helps keep settings readable from different mounting positions.
How Does the Kraken KR-S160 Compare?
Strobe manufacturers do not always publish output using the same measurement system, so watt-seconds and guide numbers should not be treated as directly interchangeable.
| Feature | Kraken KR-S160 | Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo | Ikelite DS165 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published Output | 160Ws / GN16 | GN33 | 160Ws |
| Beam | Approx. 120° bare | 80° x 105° bare; 100° x 110° with diffuser | 120° |
| Full-Power Recycle | 1.6 sec | 1.7 sec with Ni-MH batteries | Up to 1.0 sec |
| TTL | No | DS-TTL II / RC support | Available with compatible Ikelite systems |
| Power Source | Dedicated rechargeable lithium-ion pack | 4 x AA | Rechargeable NiMH pack |
| Best Fit | High-output manual shooting and wide-angle work | Photographers wanting TTL plus compact system flexibility | Fast recycling and photographers using compatible Ikelite TTL systems |
Please view our Kraken DS160 Review video as we delve into the strobe in more detail
Sample Underwater Images:
(Nikon Z6, Ikelite housing, Z 105mm macro lens, dual Kraken DS 160 pro strobes, weefine 7000 as a focus light)
Recommended Cords and Cables:
- Sea & Sea Fiber Optic Cable
- Sea & Sea Fiber Optic Cable (Long)
- Nauticam Universal Fiber Optic Cable
- iTorch Fiber Optic Cable
Related Underwater Gear Categories:
- Kraken Lights, Optics and Housings
- Underwater Strobes & Flashes
- Underwater Video Lights
- Snoots for Underwater Strobes
Technical Specifications
Flash & Lighting
- Maximum flash power: 160Ws
- Guide number: 16 at 1m / ISO 100
- Color temperature: 5500K
- Beam angle: approx. 120° without diffuser
- Full-power recycle: 1.6 seconds
- Focus/spot light: 500 lumens
- Spot-light beam: 15°
Power & Control
- Battery: dedicated 4000mAh 7.2V lithium-ion battery pack
- Approx. 400 flashes at full power
- USB-C charging system
- Modes: Manual, S1, S2 and Multi
- Manual power adjustment with fine control
- TTL: No
- 180° rotatable rear display
Size & Dive Rating
- Depth rating: 100m / 330ft
- Dimensions: 84 x 100 x 194mm
- Weight on land: 1210g
- Weight underwater: approx. 300g
- Fiber-optic triggering supported
- 5-pin electrical triggering supported
- Kraken KS160 underwater Strobe
- Strobe Battery
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Kraken KR-S160 support TTL?
No. The KR-S160 is a manual-control underwater strobe. Photographers adjust flash output directly rather than having the camera automatically calculate strobe power.
How can I trigger the KR-S160?
The strobe supports fiber-optic triggering and 5-pin electrical sync. The correct connection depends on your housing and flash-trigger configuration.
How many flashes can I expect per charge?
Kraken specifies approximately 400 flashes at full power. Shooting at lower power extends the number of available flashes considerably.
Is the KR-S160 good for wide-angle underwater photography?
Yes. The combination of 160Ws output and a broad beam makes wide-angle photography one of the KR-S160's strongest applications.
Can I use the KR-S160 for macro photography?
Yes. It has far more maximum power than most macro scenes require, but reduced manual output and fast recycling can work very well for macro and fast-moving small subjects.
How deep is the KR-S160 rated?
The published depth rating is 100m / 330ft.
Do I need float arms with the KR-S160?
They are not required for operation, but the strobe is approximately 300g negative underwater. Adding buoyancy can make a larger or dual-strobe system more comfortable to handle.
How do I know which cable I need?
Cable choice depends on your camera housing and trigger system. Contact Bluewater Photo with your camera and housing model if you would like us to confirm the correct connection.
