OceanLED X-Series X4 Midnight Blue Underwater LED Light
OceanLED X-Series X4 Midnight Blue Underwater LED Light — Product description
The OceanLED X-Series X4 Midnight Blue (MPN 012302B, UPC 5051803007210) is a 1,150 fixture-lumen underwater LED transom light - the entry / mid-range model in OceanLED's X-Series, sized and priced for boats up to 30 feet. Designed for permanent through-hull or transom-mount installation below the waterline, the X4 puts a focused 60-degree circular beam of Midnight Blue light into the water - the color that penetrates marine water best and attracts baitfish most reliably (which in turn attracts gamefish to your boat at night for dock and at-anchor fishing). 1,450 raw LED lumens / 1,150 fixture lumens (the actual light output that reaches the water after the housing and lens losses) - bright enough to light a meaningful pool of water around the transom of a typical 22-28 ft fishing or cruising boat. Fish-Strobe mode emits a random strobe pattern proven to attract additional baitfish (and the predator fish that feed on them) - one tap of the control switches between solid-on and strobe modes. Compact low-profile housing measures roughly 6.1 inches long by 5.5 inches wide by 3 inches deep with the housing rim sitting flush against the hull exterior - minimal drag, minimal visual presence above the waterline. Made from chemically resistant optical polymer (NOT metal) with a built-in driver - eliminating the corrosion failures common to legacy metal-bodied underwater lights, no separate driver box to mount and wire below decks. Tritonium coating on the lens releases marine growth with a simple wipe of a cloth - the typical seasonal cleaning that takes 30 minutes per light on traditional lenses takes about 30 seconds with Tritonium. Active Thermal Control regulates LED temperature to maintain rated 40,000-hour service life. Install needs only a small 12.5mm hole through the hull / transom for the power cable, plus four mounting screws - no bonding required, no transom cutout, no specialized tools. Plug into your boat's 12V electrical system. Recommended for boats up to 30 ft, typically 2-4 transom lights in pairs spaced 2-3 feet apart, OR 4-8 hull lights for full underwater illumination of larger vessels. NOT a hull-penetrating fixture - the X4 mounts to the external hull surface (NOT requiring a cutout through the hull).
The OceanLED X-Series X4 Midnight Blue is a 1,150 fixture-lumen underwater LED transom / hull-mount light - the entry / mid-range model in OceanLED's X-Series, sized for boats up to 30 feet, designed for permanent installation below the waterline. The Midnight Blue color is the right pick for blue / deep water applications where the color penetrates farther and attracts baitfish more reliably. For light-bottom shallow water applications (typical Bahamas / Florida flats), the Ultra White variant of the X4 is the typical choice instead.
What underwater lights actually do for fishing. The basic dynamic is straightforward: bright submerged light at the boat at night attracts zooplankton, which attracts baitfish (which feed on zooplankton), which attracts predator fish (which feed on baitfish). Within 20-40 minutes of switching the lights on at anchor or at the dock, you'll typically see a meaningful concentration of baitfish around the boat, with predators following soon after. Productive species depending on geography: snapper, snook, tarpon, sea trout, striped bass, redfish, sheepshead, jacks, mackerel, and more. The X4 is sized for the typical 22-28 ft fishing / cruising boat where 2-4 transom lights produce enough light for serious nighttime fishing.
Why Midnight Blue. Water absorbs light at different rates depending on wavelength - red light is absorbed within a few feet of the surface, while blue / green wavelengths penetrate dozens of feet down. Midnight Blue light therefore travels much farther through marine water than white light - the X4 Midnight Blue effectively illuminates a deeper, larger pool of water than the same-output white light. For deep / blue water applications (offshore, deep reef, dropoffs), Midnight Blue is the right call. For shallow / light-bottom water (flats, sandbars, shallow reefs), Ultra White gives better visibility against the light bottom. If you fish both, install one set of each color and switch between them based on conditions.
Fish-Strobe mode. The X4 includes a Fish-Strobe mode in addition to solid-on operation. Strobe mode emits a random-pattern strobing of the LED light - the irregularity is the key (not just simple on-off blinking). The random strobe attracts additional baitfish that would otherwise ignore steady light, which means more predator activity around the boat. Switch between solid and strobe via the power switch on the boat's control panel - the X4 detects the on-off sequence and toggles modes. For situations where the solid-light fish attraction has slowed down, switching to strobe often re-stimulates the bite. For situations where solid light is producing well, no need to switch.
1,150 fixture lumens - what it means in practical terms. Underwater LED ratings get confusing because manufacturers quote different metrics. Raw LED lumens (the bare LED output before any housing / lens losses) is the easiest spec to inflate. Fixture lumens (the actual light output that reaches the water after housing / lens losses) is the meaningful number. The X4 puts out 1,450 raw LED lumens / 1,150 fixture lumens - the 1,150 is what actually lights the water. For comparison: the smaller X1 in the same series outputs roughly 700 fixture lumens, the larger X8 outputs roughly 4,400. The X4 is appropriately sized for typical 22-28 ft boats - bright enough to be useful, not overkill that draws excessive power.
Surface-mount construction - no through-hull cutout required. The X4 is a surface-mount light, NOT a hull-penetrating fixture. The housing mounts externally to the hull or transom surface (the wet side), and only the small 12.5mm power cable hole penetrates the hull. This matters because surface-mount installs are dramatically simpler than through-hull installs: no big cutout in the hull, no risk of leaks at the fixture, no bonding required for galvanic protection (the optical polymer housing isn't a galvanic concern like metal hull-penetrating fixtures would be), no risk of structural compromise to the hull. The trade-off: surface-mount fixtures add slight drag at speed compared to flush-mount, but at 5-6 mm of housing thickness above the hull surface, the X4's drag impact is minimal.
Tritonium lens coating. The lens is treated with OceanLED's proprietary Tritonium coating that releases marine growth with minimal scrubbing. Practical impact: the typical seasonal cleaning that takes 30+ minutes per light on uncoated lenses (scraping barnacles, scrubbing algae, etc.) takes about 30 seconds per light with Tritonium - just wipe the lens with a soft cloth and the growth releases. For boats kept in the water continuously (not trailered between trips), the Tritonium coating is the difference between practical maintenance and a tedious haul-out chore. The coating lasts the life of the fixture - no reapplication required.
Active Thermal Control. The X4 includes an Active Thermal Control circuit that monitors LED junction temperature and adjusts drive current to keep the LEDs within their thermal operating range. Practical impact: rated 40,000-hour LED service life (roughly 11+ years at 10 hours per day, or roughly the typical useful service life of a fishing boat owner's lighting installation). Without thermal control, LEDs run hot and degrade faster - 10,000-15,000 hours is more typical for cheap underwater lights without thermal management. The Active Thermal Control plus the cooling effect of the underwater operating environment is what delivers the 40,000-hour spec.
Install. Plan for 30-60 minutes per light for an experienced installer. Tasks: drill the 12.5mm power cable hole through the hull / transom (use a stepped drill bit and seal carefully with marine adhesive sealant after running the cable through), position the X4 against the hull and mark the four mounting screw holes, drill pilot holes for the mounting screws, seal the mounting holes and back of the X4 housing with marine sealant, screw the X4 in place, route the power cable through the hull and seal the cable hole inside and out, connect 12V power to the boat's electrical system through an appropriately-sized fuse (5A is the standard recommendation for the X4 size). Total wiring is straightforward: two wires per light, positive and negative. No driver box to mount separately - everything is integrated in the housing.
Where to install on your boat. For transom mounting (the most common location for fishing applications), space lights 2-3 feet apart across the transom width - typical 22-28 ft boat takes 2 lights on the transom, larger boats take 4. For hull-side mounting (for full underwater lighting of cruising boats), space lights 4-8 inches apart at the same depth below the waterline - typical 25-30 ft cruising boat takes 4-8 hull lights for full effect. Position 300mm (about 12 inches) below the waterline at rest for proper submersion at rest and at speed. NOT for above-waterline installation - the X4 requires immersion for thermal management.
Warranty. OceanLED standard 5-year limited warranty applies, save the receipt and the original packaging. Warranty service runs through the authorized OceanLED service network. Most field failures OceanLED sees are install-related (improper sealing of the cable penetration, wiring corrosion at the cable connection inside the boat) rather than fixture defects - careful install delivers the full rated service life. The X4 Midnight Blue is the workhorse of the OceanLED X-Series - thousands installed and producing reliably across all marine geographies.
Key Features
- OceanLED X-Series X4 underwater LED light - Midnight Blue color
- 1,450 raw LED lumens / 1,150 fixture lumens (actual water-illuminating output)
- Midnight Blue color penetrates deeper water than white - right for blue / deep applications
- 60-degree circular beam angle - wide pool of underwater illumination
- Fish-Strobe mode emits random strobe pattern to attract additional baitfish
- Toggle between solid-on and Fish-Strobe via panel switch on-off sequence
- Compact 6.1 x 5.5 x 3 inch surface-mount housing
- Surface-mount install - NOT a through-hull cutout fixture
- Optical polymer housing - NOT metal - no galvanic concern, no bonding required
- Built-in LED driver - no separate driver box to mount and wire
- Tritonium lens coating - marine growth wipes off with a cloth
- Active Thermal Control regulates LED temperature for 40,000-hour rated life
- Compatible with standard 12V DC marine electrical systems
- 5 amp recommended fuse per light
- Install needs only one 12.5mm power cable hole plus 4 mounting screws
- No bonding required, no through-hull cutout, no specialized tools
- Recommended for boats up to 30 ft (9 m)
- Typical install: 2-4 transom lights or 4-8 hull lights per boat
- Install position: 300mm (12 in) below waterline at rest
- 5-year OceanLED limited warranty
- Manufacturer Part Number 012302B / UPC 5051803007210
Why Buy from NVN Marine
- Authorized OceanLED reseller, full manufacturer warranty
- NMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs
- Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items
- NY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store
Technical specifications
| Title | OceanLED X-Series X4 Underwater LED Light - Midnight Blue Surface-Mount Transom / Hull Light |
|---|---|
| Brand | OceanLED |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 012302B |
| UPC | 5051803007210 |
| Series | X-Series |
| Model | X4 |
| LED Color | Midnight Blue |
| Raw LED Lumens | 1,450 |
| Fixture Lumens | 1,150 (actual water-illuminating output) |
| Beam Angle | 60 degrees circular |
| Operating Modes | Solid-on and Fish-Strobe (random pattern) |
| Mount Type | Surface mount to hull or transom |
| Housing Material | Chemically resistant optical polymer (NOT metal) |
| Lens Coating | Tritonium (marine growth release) |
| Thermal Management | Active Thermal Control |
| Rated LED Life | 40,000 hours |
| Power | 12V DC |
| Current Draw | 2-3 amps per light |
| Recommended Fuse | 5 amp per light |
| Required Hole Size | 12.5mm power cable penetration |
| Mounting Screws | 4 per fixture (included) |
| Bonding | Not required (polymer housing) |
| Recommended Boat Size | Up to 30 ft (9 m) |
| Install Position | 300mm (12 in) below waterline at rest |
| Dimensions | 6.1 in L x 5.5 in W x 3 in D |
| Weight | 0.72 lb |
| Warranty | 5-year OceanLED limited |
Frequently asked questions
How many do I need for my boat?
For transom mounting (the most common fishing application), space lights 2-3 feet apart across the transom width - typical 22-28 ft boat takes 2 lights on the transom, larger boats take 4. For hull-side mounting (full underwater lighting of cruising boats), space lights 4-8 inches apart at the same depth below the waterline - typical 25-30 ft cruising boat takes 4-8 hull lights for full effect. For most fishing boat applications, start with 2 transom lights (one X4 pair) - if you want more light, add 2 more later. The X4 is sized so that pairs deliver meaningful illumination without overkill.
Should I get Midnight Blue or Ultra White?
Depends on your water and bottom. Water absorbs light differently by wavelength - red light absorbs within a few feet of the surface, blue / green wavelengths penetrate dozens of feet. Midnight Blue light travels farther through marine water than white - the right pick for blue / deep water applications (offshore, deep reef, dropoffs). Ultra White gives better visibility against light bottoms (flats, sandbars, shallow reefs) where the water is clear and shallow. If you fish both deep and shallow water, install one X4 of each color and switch between them based on conditions. For pure fishing applications in typical water depths, Midnight Blue is the default recommendation.
How does Fish-Strobe mode work?
Strobe mode emits a random-pattern strobing of the LED light - the random irregularity is the key (not simple regular on-off blinking). The random strobe attracts additional baitfish that would otherwise ignore steady light, which means more predator fish activity around the boat. Switch between solid and strobe via the power switch on the boat's control panel - the X4 detects the rapid on-off sequence and toggles between modes. For situations where solid-light fish attraction has slowed down, switching to strobe often re-stimulates the bite. For situations where solid light is producing well, no need to switch.
What's the install like?
Plan for 30-60 minutes per light for an experienced installer. Tasks: drill the 12.5mm power cable hole through the hull / transom (stepped drill bit, sealed carefully with marine adhesive sealant after running the cable through), position the X4 against the hull and mark the four mounting screw holes, drill pilot holes for the mounting screws, seal the mounting holes and back of the X4 housing with marine sealant, screw the X4 in place, route the power cable through the hull and seal the cable hole inside and out, connect 12V power to the boat's electrical system through a 5A fuse. Total wiring is straightforward: two wires per light. No driver box to mount separately.
Does it require a hull cutout?
No - the X4 is a surface-mount light. The housing mounts externally to the hull or transom surface (the wet side), and only the small 12.5mm power cable hole penetrates the hull. This matters because surface-mount installs are dramatically simpler than through-hull installs: no big cutout in the hull, no risk of leaks at the fixture, no bonding required for galvanic protection (the optical polymer housing isn't a galvanic concern like metal hull-penetrating fixtures), no risk of structural compromise to the hull. The small cable hole is sealed with marine adhesive and is a standard sealed penetration - no different from any other electrical cable through the hull.
What about the cleaning - does Tritonium really work?
Yes - the Tritonium coating releases marine growth with minimal scrubbing. Practical impact: the typical seasonal cleaning that takes 30+ minutes per light on uncoated lenses (scraping barnacles, scrubbing algae, etc.) takes about 30 seconds per light with Tritonium - just wipe the lens with a soft cloth and the growth releases. For boats kept in the water continuously (not trailered between trips), the Tritonium coating is the difference between practical maintenance and a tedious chore. The coating lasts the life of the fixture - no reapplication required. Note that Tritonium reduces growth - it doesn't eliminate it entirely. Heavy growth seasons (warm shallow water with lots of nutrients) may need monthly wipes instead of seasonal.
How long do the LEDs last?
Rated 40,000 hours of LED service life - roughly 11+ years at 10 hours per day, or roughly the typical useful service life of a fishing boat owner's lighting installation. The Active Thermal Control circuit monitors LED junction temperature and adjusts drive current to keep the LEDs within their thermal operating range - that's what delivers the 40,000-hour spec. Cheap underwater lights without thermal management typically deliver 10,000-15,000 hours before significant brightness degradation. For most owners, the LEDs will outlast the fixture housing and the rest of the boat's lighting before they reach end-of-life.
What's the power draw?
The X4 draws roughly 2-3 amps at 12V during operation - well within typical marine electrical system capacity. For a typical 2-light transom install (the most common configuration), total draw is roughly 4-6 amps - the boat's house battery can power the lights for many hours without significant capacity impact. For larger installations (4-8 hull lights), total draw scales up to 8-24 amps, which benefits from a larger house battery bank or running the engine periodically to charge during long anchored sessions.
Will it work in freshwater applications?
Yes - the X4 works in both saltwater and freshwater. The optical polymer housing and Tritonium coating are designed for the harshest saltwater environment, so freshwater is well within the design envelope. For freshwater bass fishing, the Midnight Blue color attracts crappie, white bass, and other open-water predator species - the lights are commonly used for night fishing on freshwater reservoirs and lakes. Note that freshwater typically has less marine growth issue than saltwater, so the Tritonium coating's growth-release benefit is less pronounced in freshwater (still works fine, just less obvious benefit).
Can I install it above the waterline?
No - the X4 requires immersion in water for thermal management. The water provides the cooling that the LEDs need to operate at full output. Above the waterline, the LEDs would overheat quickly and the Active Thermal Control circuit would dim the light significantly to protect the LEDs - the light would be useless. For above-waterline marine lighting (deck lights, courtesy lights, etc.), look at OceanLED's surface lighting product lines, NOT the underwater X-Series.
How does this compare to the X1, X8, X16?
The X-Series scales by light output and fixture size. X1 is the smallest at roughly 700 fixture lumens for small boats (under 20 ft) or accent lighting. X4 (this product) is the workhorse mid-range at 1,150 fixture lumens for typical 22-28 ft fishing / cruising boats. X8 steps up to 4,400 fixture lumens for larger boats (28-40 ft) or applications needing more illumination. X16 is the high-output variant at 8,800+ fixture lumens for large yachts or applications requiring deep illumination. All four use the same surface-mount install approach, the same Tritonium coating, the same Active Thermal Control. Pick based on boat size and desired light intensity.
What's the warranty?
OceanLED standard 5-year limited warranty applies, longer than most underwater lighting brands offer. Save the receipt and the original packaging. Warranty service runs through the authorized OceanLED service network. Most field failures OceanLED sees are install-related (improper sealing of the cable penetration through the hull, wiring corrosion at the cable connection inside the boat) rather than fixture defects - careful install delivers the full rated service life. The X4 Midnight Blue has been in production for years with thousands of units installed across all marine geographies - a proven, mature product.
