Princeton Tec

Princeton Tec was founded in 1975 by Bill Stephens, whose invention of the Bottom Timer, the first automatic dive timer, launched the company into personal lighting manufacturing. Still family owned and operated after nearly five decades, Princeton Tec designs and builds its lighting products in the United States. A third generation of the Stephens family now contributes to daily operations, carrying forward the company's focus on rugged, purpose-built lights.

Product Lines

Princeton Tec's catalog spans headlamps, handheld flashlights, and lanterns built for outdoor, industrial, and emergency use. The company's origins in waterproof dive lights carried over into headlamp and flashlight lines designed for durability in wet, dusty, and demanding jobsite conditions. A tactical line, developed for military and first responder use, includes strobe lights and dive lights originally supplied to units such as Navy SEALs.

Why Contractors Specify Princeton Tec

Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians working in crawl spaces, mechanical rooms, and low-light jobsites rely on hands-free headlamps and durable flashlights to see their work clearly. Princeton Tec's background supplying military and first responder equipment means its lighting is built to survive drops, moisture, and daily use on a truck or tool belt. Long battery life and consistent beam output matter on long service calls, and Princeton Tec's product design reflects decades of field use in similarly demanding conditions.

How to Choose Princeton Tec Products

Matching a light to the task starts with beam type. Flood beams suit close-up panel or pipe work, while spot beams help when scanning a larger mechanical room or attic space. Battery type and runtime should match the length of a typical service call, and technicians working outdoors or in wet crawl spaces should confirm a light's water resistance rating before relying on it in those conditions. Weight and mounting style, headlamp versus handheld, also affect comfort during extended hands-free tasks like wiring or soldering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Princeton Tec's first product?

Princeton Tec's first product was the Bottom Timer, the industry's first automatic dive timer, which launched the company in 1975.

Are Princeton Tec lights made in the United States?

Yes, Princeton Tec is a family owned and operated company that manufactures its lighting products in the United States.

Does Princeton Tec make headlamps suited for jobsite use?

Yes, Princeton Tec's headlamp and flashlight lines were developed from its waterproof dive light technology and are built for durability in wet and demanding conditions.

Does Princeton Tec supply lighting to military or first responder users?

Yes, Princeton Tec's tactical line includes strobe lights and dive lights that have been supplied to military units, including Navy SEALs.

Is Princeton Tec still family owned?

Yes, the Stephens family that founded Princeton Tec in 1975 continues to own and operate the company, with a third generation now involved.