My new underhood light (Bluepoint ECUB128)

[mayday0017]

Well I had asked about under hood lights a couple different times in the past few months and finally got one yesterday. After all the research I could do I decided to go with the Snapon (Blue Point) light.

I have 9 2bulb fixtures in the garage but with the hood open so much light is blocked I feel like I'm always working in the shadows. I also think the light will really come in handy when camping to use in a tent or over a table.

The light weighs almost nothing (would guess less then 5lbs with mount and maybe 2lbs with out mount)

All and all I am very happy with it.... So On to the pics...

Before - Notice how bright the rest of the garage is but under hood is dark
View media item 31190
After - Things look about equal under the hood with the rest of the garage
View media item 31191
Two more in pitch black for good measure
View media item 31188
View media item 31189
More info on light if wanted.. http://www1.snapon.com/display/231/...argeable_Under_Hood_Light_01_15_12__FINAL.pdf

 

[Scout Driver]

Nice light. May I ask how much it cost?

Scott

 

[Danglerb]

Looks good, not sure I would spring for a BP vs OEM brand of same. Not sure how well it would work on my cars either, aluminum hood weighs about 5 lbs.

 

[Cobra6]

Nice light. May I ask how much it cost?

Scott

Same question - that light is nice - but the ones I have seen are cost prohibitive - thinking about putting one together unless I can find a deal.

 

[mayday0017]

The light was $200

There is no OEM version of this light, I searched high and low... You can buy other underhood LED lights. Very few come with Lithium battery, and NONE have the special coating the bluepoint has. (Notice how it cast light and looks like a flourescent not leds) That was what sold me on the light, LED's are directional and often so bright where they are shining that other areas look extra dark. This was designed specifically to over come that, and if you end up at an angle where it is shining in your eyes you arn't blinded by the LEDs.

My hood is also aluminum... and I doubt your hood weighs 5lbs if it is aluminium even Carbon Fiber hoods weigh more then 5lbs

 

[Scout Driver]

Thanks for the additional info, mayday. I've been on the hunt for a good-quality underhood light. I am not a fan of the old-style "trouble lights".

Scott

 

[ilovevocs]

That's a nice unit...one more thing for the wish list!

 

[turdferguson13]

I have that same light. I'm using it at work right now! Expensive but definitely worth it to me.

 

[warmpancakes]

Bayco makes it for snap on, but the snap on one getts a better battery

 

[mayday0017]

Bayco makes it for snap on, but the snap on one getts a better battery

Show the bayco please.... no bayco looks like the snap on or has the same coating. I spent hours looking, because bayco stuff often gets rebranded and is of high quality.

I could believe that Bayco makes it but they do not offer one with any of the same features. Different coating, Different battery, Different hydraulic lock, Different IP rating (IP66 vs IP67).

 

[CWP1616L]

BAYCO SLR-2120

LINK

 

[Nanashi]

I have the exact light the op has I scored it for $170 on special the light is bad *** and bright. I've had it for a few months now I actually this k I got it when they first came out. The only down side to this light is that its only got about 3.5 hours of work time. It usually dies on me during the big motor jobs. You could plug it in but that's a hassle lol.

Also my boss has the older blue point with the 100+ LEDs his lights not as bright but he does get about 5 hours out of his.

Lastly I love my light and it stretches out pretty large. Its over priced but you pay for convenience. You can get a similar corded version I thin for just over $100.

 

[CWP1616L]

They have it at Amazon for about $110 shipped.

 

[gsmornot]

The light was $200

The problem for me is it would cost a grand to see. My need for light has really increased over the years. Ha.

 

[M-EGT]

that certainly looks handy! do you know if they just sell the adapter for the hood (to attach your own lights to?)

 

[Danglerb]

Cheapest looks like the ATD for $86 shipped, but its corded flourescent, other versions in all the usual brands.

ATD Tools 80050 The Saber Light 30-Watt Underhood Light
$80 online

 

[mayday0017]

BAYCO SLR-2120

LINK

Not the same light at all... Just another version of a simular light... It does not have the coating, it does not have lithium battery, it does not have same angle of light, is not IP 67 it is only IP66, It has some flip up handles the bluepoint does not have, The flip up handles have magnets in them.

They have it at Amazon for about $110 shipped.

As mentioned above it is 100% NOT the same light, because the bluepoint is NOT made by any OEM supplier available to the public and rebranded.

Yes they make a cheaper underhood light but it is not the same and does not work as well. But keep trying to prove me wrong I spent weeks looking & would love to buy another at only $100 for someone as a gift.

 

[Skyline]

Not the same light at all... Just another version of a simular light... It does not have the coating, it does not have lithium battery, it does not have same angle of light, is not IP 67 it is only IP66, It has some flip up handles the bluepoint does not have, The flip up handles have magnets in them.



As mentioned above it is 100% NOT the same light, because the bluepoint is NOT made by any OEM supplier available to the public and rebranded.

Yes they make a cheaper underhood light but it is not the same and does not work as well. But keep trying to prove me wrong I spent weeks looking & would love to buy another at only $100 for someone as a gift.

I've got the Bayco, and it's awesome. Last night I used it outside at night in a completely dark area to help a friend with a dead battery, and it was bright as day under the hood. I've used the Blue Point unit, and while they may claim superiority, it is not anywhere near as well made. Or as versatile in terms of design. The Bayco does its job suberbly well, and it's half the price. Most of my tools come from Snap-on, but this was an instance where I preferred a different brand.

Aside from the big price difference, the Blue Point lights I have used have not been great in terms of reliability, and that was the final point that made me avoid them. Sometimes comparing specs on paper does not tell the whole story.

 

[mayday0017]

Well damn Skyline, where were you in the other 2 or 3 threads I posted asking for info. I didn't know anyone who had used one of the Bayco lights only the newer and older Blupoint. Biggest feature difference and selling point of the new Blupoint for me was the coating to scatter the light instead of it being directional by LED nature.

Wish there was a way I could test out the Bayco and compair it against the Bluepoint side by side. I thought long and hard about buying the Bayco as I have several lights by them and all work great. Plus at 1/2 the price I figured I could buy 2 of them...

 

[RKA]

Cheapest looks like the ATD for $86 shipped, but its corded flourescent, other versions in all the usual brands.

ATD Tools 80050 The Saber Light 30-Watt Underhood Light
$80 online

I have this one and I'm pretty happy with it even though it doesn't get used often. It's built well, but it's a little chunky compared to the BP the OP got. It's probably better than way since you got a glass tube in there. It stands nicely on the floor when I'm working under the car, so it's good for more than underhood lighting. And it's got a long AC cord so I'm not dragging out extension cords with it. If I used it more frequently, a cordless variety might be better.

 

[Skyline]

Well damn Skyline, where were you in the other 2 or 3 threads I posted asking for info. ...

Sorry, I must have missed that query. In my defense, I DID start my own thread talking about the Bayco light back when I bought it about a month ago:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201095

I am more than satisfied with the Bayco light. It's one of those tools for your garage where you can marvel at the cleverness of the (Chinese?) engineers:

Features like:

---The ends swivel and have powerful magnets on the ends. This is useful if you want to use the light under the car, or even stick it to the side of the car to work on a window regulator or door panel. The light can stand up on the floor on the two swiveled ends (pivoted to 90 degrees) if you are working on jackstands. (So you don't get the tube scratched from contact with the floor). You can even stand the light vertically, balanced on one end.

---Hi-Low-off switches at both ends. Like multi-position three way switches.

---Clever swivel hooks at each end that recess back into the end handles. These things are engineering marvels in themselves.

---Comes with 110 volt charger adapter, (and can run indefinitely on that) and also a 12 volt cigarette lighter adapter.

I'm sure you will have no complaints with the BP unit, and perhaps it will run a little longer on a charge??? But anyone who buys the Bayco light I'm sure will be very happy with that.

 

[T1320T]

I have this Bluepoint light also & am thoroughly impressed w it. I paid $160 on the SO truck. Sure, it's expensive but it beats the **** out of alternative lighting methods IMO.

 

[Ign]

I'm not understanding why an underhood light needs an IP67 rating? Are you gonna hang it in your machining center and let it get hosed with coolant all day? Even then an IP66 rating would be fine.............

Thoroughly confused.

However congrats to the OP as I now don't know how I lived without my corded Central Tools unit. Nice long cord lets me leave it on fullsize trucks and still take my 2 post all the way up. For cordless, I've made it a personal policy to not buy anything that has built-in, proprietary batteries. Something like this that would take Milwaukee M12 batteries would be AWESOME.

edit: the .pdf in post #1 claims IP56. That's a lesser rating. Even more confused.

 

[rival904]

Does this work when It is plugged in?

Thanks

 

[turdferguson13]

Yeah, if the battery dies while you are using it the light comes back on when plugged in.

 

[muddinguy]

Old thread but I have 2 of these.. Bought one when I first saw them in a flyer I snatched it up cause I had the same problem wanted A cordless underhood wanted some battery life so obviously LED was a must but I hate led light output! So I tried this on the truck and snatched it up... I work on tow trucks and a 19 or 20' bed has a way of blocking shop light lol.. This light has been used for EVERYTHING! I liked it so much I wanted another apparently I wasn't the only one.. They were back ordered for like 2 months.. Now I have 2 and two other guys have gotten theirs in the shop...

 

[xurusaibobx]

do they still sale these? couldnt find them anywhere now

 

[Danglerb]

What looks best to me right now is the Mountain UL39 via Amazon sourced from Tooltopia, but free shipping via Amazon. 39 watt corded, it will have the most light output.

 

[Brownsfan]

Why does anytime someone posts their new snap on tool people go out of their way to find similar but not the same products just to make him feel ****** about how much he paid. I have this light and love it. Couldn't find one that was LED but cast light like this one or has the same battery life. Now as I say this someone will find one post it and tell me I got tricked by a business and I am fool for paying SO prices. If you truly feel that anything snap on is a rip off then stay out of threads that are about snap on. Sorry for the rant i have just seen this so many times lately and it's just as annoying as the snap on guys that Only buy snap on and believe everything else is ****.

 

[xurusaibobx]

talked to my dealer and he surprised me and told me these are on sale for 178 i believe in the holiday catalog. so i have one on order but disappointed it only has 1 year warranty

 

[joel63]

Why does anytime someone posts their new snap on tool people go out of their way to find similar but not the same products just to make him feel ****** about how much he paid. I have this light and love it. Couldn't find one that was LED but cast light like this one or has the same battery life. Now as I say this someone will find one post it and tell me I got tricked by a business and I am fool for paying SO prices. If you truly feel that anything snap on is a rip off then stay out of threads that are about snap on. Sorry for the rant i have just seen this so many times lately and it's just as annoying as the snap on guys that Only buy snap on and believe everything else is ****.

I agree 100%.
But you know butts will be butts.

 

[Subyroo651]

What looks best to me right now is the Mountain UL39 via Amazon sourced from Tooltopia, but free shipping via Amazon. 39 watt corded, it will have the most light output.

It appears that the only true advantage is the light diffusion coating on the Snap=on/BluPoint lights. As far as I've seen, no one else offers that.

I found real pics of the Mountain model and it is just a clear lens but then again its florescent so duh

 

[Scotty31588]

I bought the same light about a year ago! i like to lie in done flat on my roll cart facing up when a car is high up on the ramp. (This time of the year in the UK its dark at 4 o'clock and the roof lights do very little) just and idea for you

 

[GoodEnough]

You can get something like this on Ebay for about $90
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=under hood work light&_sop=15&_udlo=75&_udhi

 

[GoodEnough]

If anyone needs a cheaper solution, I've been using this for $15
http://www.ebay.com/itm/36-LED-12VO...298490?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item5d3089d77a

 

[sks]

I use one of these. But I want one of those Bluepoints.

 

[Danglerb]

If anyone needs a cheaper solution, I've been using this for $15
http://www.ebay.com/itm/36-LED-12VO...298490?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item5d3089d77a

12v DC at 0.11 amp is 1.32 watt, not a lot of light.

 

[GoodEnough]

Can anyone tell what this brand is? Is it a rebranded generic?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120-LED-Rec...with-Magnetic-Ends-41-5-8-Reach/321160601762?

 

[Fixitnow]

From the packaging, it looks like the Harbor Freight light. I own it. Think I paid about $24.00 out the door after a 25% coupon. It's not bad . Magnets are weak and it lasts about 3 hrs on a charge. It's worth what HF charges but it isn't anywhere near the Blue Point for quality or output.

 

[unslow1]

Looks identical to my Harbor Freight version. Colors are even the same. I paid $25 out the door. It was on sale and I had a 25% off coupon. Works OK. It generally lights up the whole underside of the hood. You will need a smaller light to do anything on the sides or front of an engine. I used it and a hand held Craftsman to change a serpentine belt 2 days ago.