Harbor Freight, Braun Lights Any Good ???

[Renegade1LI]

Just picked up two Braun slim bar rechargeable lights, the reviews look good and they are on sale for 25$. They're all aluminum, can be used while being charged, the magnet feels strong and it's bright, clear light. I will put them to a full test starting tonight, giving them to a couple guys that are pretty rough on tools, if they make the week, they're good. Three only issue I see so far is they can be overcharged, says charge 4 hours, but the battery is replaceable, worst case set up a timer for charging. I wish Milwaukee would make one like this.

 

[dlwilson]

I started with the Eastman version, and then bought the HF. They are nearly identical. The Eastman has held up for three years, and the HF for one year. They are great tools. I've never worried about overcharging; I just plug them in when I'm done with them and leave them until next time.

 

[Bogie1632]

I've got one of those. Works very well...but...the lense is easily scratched and they won't last a full day so as a habit, I turn it off when not in use and put it on a charger when I take a break. I've also got one of their rechargeable Quantum pen lights (56511). Its been a great addition as well.

V/R
Bogie

 

[unslow1]

Since I bought two I rarely use anything else.

 

[vjquan]

Long running thread here:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=379119

 

[Renegade1LI]

I started with the Eastman version, and then bought the HF. They are nearly identical. The Eastman has held up for three years, and the HF for one year. They are great tools. I've never worried about overcharging; I just plug them in when I'm done with them and leave them until next time.

I'm going to do the same, not really worried about it, just mentioned it in the instructions, I also like the connections are oringed, doesn't say waterproof though.

 

[39 LaSalle]

I've had one since they first came out like 3-3 1/2 years ago. Back when they were still $18 not on sale. Absolutely love it. I rarely touch another light and I use it daily. Even have rebuilt most of a vintage car using this to light the way.

The only criticism I have of it is I wish the bar would fold down flush with the grip for more compact storage. Other than that though, well worth the money. I may even go buy another if they're on sale right now.

 

[charbar]

I had two. I think for light duty use they would be fine. When they worked I really did like them.

Hard, all day, every day use and mine only lasted a month or so each. I always kept one on the charger and swapped back and forth a couple times a day between the two because the battery life wasn't anything to brag about.

Great concept, I just needed something more rugged.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I had two. I think for light duty use they would be fine. When they worked I really did like them.

Hard, all day, every day use and mine only lasted a month or so each. I always kept one on the charger and swapped back and forth a couple times a day between the two because the battery life wasn't anything to brag about.

Great concept, I just needed something more rugged.[/QUOTE

If they work out I might buy a few extra batteries & keep them charged, those 3.7volt batteries aren't that expensive.

 

[Mr_B]

I've used these daily in autoshop for few years, the joint and button are weakest points .
had five and got 3 working, was 19 bucks when I got them, got some better 18650 cells and a off-board charger .
2 attached under hood make cheap and decent lighting .
3rd the price of most other offerings and we tend ruin or loose them in 1 or 2 years and 20 bucks is disposable costing to me .
Menards have it as well, design was originally an early astro light product .
I do thik some production runs had worse power button part sourcing as my early ones buttons seem better .

 

[c5greg]

I have 2, great lights. Good magnets, great flexibility and I really like the small pinpoint light on the end. I use an old cell phone charger and it works great.

 

[bigenos]

I have the underhood light and so far I'm pretty happy with it.
https://www.harborfreight.com/845-lumen-underhood-rechargeable-work-light-63990.html

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have the underhood light and so far I'm pretty happy with it.
https://www.harborfreight.com/845-lumen-underhood-rechargeable-work-light-63990.html

I was looking at that, looks good, waiting for it to go on sale, I just ordered a milwaukee so I'll see which is better.

 

[Professional Tool User]

At $20, the HF Braun lights are okay for what they are. The magnet isn't the strongest and the electronics/structure are definitely not shock resistant. They will work fine as a hood light. But if you constantly drop it or stick it near the part of the vehicle you are air hammering, either the electronics or the plastic parts like the hinge, the tip of the light, or the plastic lense will fail eventually. For something more durable with a stronger magnet, this is where Snap on and other more expensive options come in.

There are other branded versions of the light you want a 1 year warranty. Even Canadian Tire has their own similar if not identical Motomaster version of this light now. No need to cross the border for one if Canadian tire puts it on sale.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Got some snow melt on mine last winter (2019-2020) and it wouldn’t work so i let it dry out for weeks and it would work for a bit. I was bumming because I really liked it but i was to cheap to throw it away yet. I got a shumaker light and i love it. Gave the braun light a try the other day and now it works just fine.

 

[Mr_B]

if you hunt on google you will find similar light but it battery (3 AAA), pull out the AAA holder and it takes 1 18650 cell.
Benefit of this model is less electronics inside to be problematic, the heads are removable (allows bit more part swapping between busted ones to salvage a working one) and it potentially cheaper, I charged my 18650 on a dedicated charger even with the braun version and using higher capacity better brand cell was worthy improvement in run times .

 

[Renegade1LI]

Well let it charge overnight and it went from red to green, good sign,i would think it only charges of the indicator light shows red.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have the underhood light and so far I'm pretty happy with it.
https://www.harborfreight.com/845-lumen-underhood-rechargeable-work-light-63990.html

When charging does it show when charged, just curious as the instructions might be incorrect.

 

[Rickster]

I have the Braun 750 lumen little yellow rechargeable magnetic light..... the one that looks like the $90 Snap-on one. It works great!

 

[adsinnott1]

The button failed on both of mine. Lasted a month or so each time. Finally tossed it and use a milwaukee light now.

 

[Bodj Built]

I don't use mine daily. Maybe once or twice a week. But it has held up fine for me. I got another magnet and quick epoxied it to the back side. So now it can be used upright on the base magnet or using the new magnet on the back. I typically use it when welding in dim areas, or pop it on my bead roller to help me see better. I wouldn't buy it for the full price, but it works great for a $25 tool

 

[crerus75]

I charged my 18650 on a dedicated charger even with the braun version and using higher capacity better brand cell was worthy improvement in run times .

I do this as well. I have a lot of 18650 cells salvaged from laptop battery packs. I charge them in a dedicated 4-cell charger and just swap them out when they start to run down. I always have charged batteries ready to go.

Since the charger also does AA/AAA batteries and all common chemistry types, I can also keep NiMH batteries in meters, etc. I find that they are not as leak-prone as alkalines.

This is the charger I use.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Curious if the underhood light uses the same 18650 battery, I want to get one once they go on sale.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Curious if the underhood light uses the same 18650 battery, I want to get one once they go on sale.

I have the underhood light. I haven't tried, but it looks to me like getting the battery out would take tools and a partial disassembly and it wouldn't surprise me if the battery is soldered in.

As a personal opinion, I'm kinda meh on the underhood light. It's not real bright and the light doesn't stay lit as long as I'd like. It's a useful light but I'd be happier with something that is brighter and has a longer runtime. It will run off the charger but that takes away the cordless advantage.

I also have a couple of the Braun lights. I like them alot.

 

[Joe Mamma]

I started with the Eastman version, and then bought the HF. They are nearly identical. The Eastman has held up for three years, and the HF for one year. They are great tools. I've never worried about overcharging; I just plug them in when I'm done with them and leave them until next time.

Could someone post a link to the Eastman one and any other quality alternatives to the Harbor Freight light in the original post?

I have wanted to get something like that for a while (strip of lights, relatively small, etc.), but I don't have a lot of confidence in Harbor Freight quality.

Thanks.

Joe Mamma

 

[Renegade1LI]

Could someone post a link to the Eastman one and any other quality alternatives to the Harbor Freight light in the original post?

I have wanted to get something like that for a while (strip of lights, relatively small, etc.), but I don't have a lot of confidence in Harbor Freight quality.

Thanks.

Joe Mamma

So far I have two crews using them for 2 nights, they love em, work great , when the guys like something they tend to take better care of it. Unfortunately they all seem like the same quality, I was hoping milwaukee would make one, their lights really take a beating. I just ordered a milwaukee underhood light (150$) hopefully it's worth it, going to buy a braun & to a good job site comparison. For the $$$ Braun seems to be a good deal.

 

[CerberusM5]

Has anyone tried this under hood Braun light?

https://www.harborfreight.com/845-lumen-underhood-rechargeable-work-light-63990.html

 

[CerberusM5]

Has anyone tried this under hood Braun light?

https://www.harborfreight.com/845-lumen-underhood-rechargeable-work-light-63990.html

If not a good one, any recommendations on a reasonably priced one? I was also looking at the Milwaukee M12 light but is 3-4x the price.

 

[ZenkiS14]

Anyone have a comparison of these to the Astro lights? The Astro stuff has to be considerably nicer, right?

 

[macwhiz]

Has anyone tried this under hood Braun light?



https://www.harborfreight.com/845-lumen-underhood-rechargeable-work-light-63990.html

It's junk. It's not that bright. The battery becomes useless quickly. But worst of all is: the means of attaching it to the hood is atrocious.

The end caps have a flimsy but thick plastic hook that you can sort of wedge into any drain holes in the underside of the hood. They also have magnets that aren't strong enough to hold the weight of the lamp. But those end caps are attached to the light by bungee cords.

It's nearly impossible to get the light to stay pointed where you want it. The bungees keep twisting it. It gets worse when it inevitably becomes a corded light as the batteries **** out.

Don't waste your money. Get a Neiko or Milwaukee instead... something with a good clamping mount.


Sent from my iPad using Garage Journal

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Has anyone tried this under hood Braun light?

https://www.harborfreight.com/845-lumen-underhood-rechargeable-work-light-63990.html

That's the light I have. I don't think it's junk but it's not real good, either. I got it with a coupon and I don't think it's worth the list price.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Well I just received the Milwaukee underhood light, all I can say is I can't imagine the braun being even close to the Milwaukee. That said I plan to get the braun as soon as it's on sale this way I could do a real comparison. The question you have to ask, is the Milwaukee worth almost 4x the price? For business I can depreciate it, but for the average person, not sure it's worth it, but it is a really well made light.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Well I couldn't wait for it to go on sale so I picked up the Braun underhood light, it seems to be well made with some nice features. It has a power button on each endca magnet at each end, uses a 3.7 volt battery like their slim light and has a hook I each end. What I don't like is their is the bunjee cord pull out hooks, just seems cheesy, but they work except the light kinda swings, where the Milwaukee is very stable. Light output is almost as bright, but softer, the Milwaukee is bright and sharp, clean light. Hands down the Milwaukee is better at every detail and build quality, the self adjusting hood attaching bar is great,plus swapping out batteries is a big plus, though I will buy some extra 3.7 batteries since I have a few lights that user them now. Well it's too early to say how the Braun will hold up, we'll see after a few weeks of use on the job site, but it's clear the Milwaukee is built for being abused. The nice feature of the Braun is it's price point,35$ regular price, on sale it would be a great bargain for a nice light. One other thing the magnets are a little too weak to support the light and I don't care for the plastic hooks.

 

[Qualitytools]

The regular Braun light is on sale again for the Memorial weekend.

 

[Davefr]

If you buy this light, go to Ebay and order a 5/16" X 3" plate steel disc for a stand so you don't have to rely on the magnet. It makes the light a lot more useful.

 

[Theruse]

$19.99 for Memorial Day is the best price yet. Just bought my third yesterday. I use two of them under my 4post lift and couldn't be better light.

 

[39 LaSalle]

Bought two more today myself. Best lights I've ever owned. This is the best price I've seen on them in ages.

 

[unslow1]

I have loads of flashlights and work lights. Since I bought a couple of those Braun lights I rarely use anything else. If I make it by HF I might pick up another.

 

[bubinga]

Just picked up two Braun slim bar rechargeable lights, the reviews look good and they are on sale for 25$. They're all aluminum, can be used while being charged, the magnet feels strong and it's bright, clear light. I will put them to a full test starting tonight, giving them to a couple guys that are pretty rough on tools, if they make the week, they're good. Three only issue I see so far is they can be overcharged, says charge 4 hours, but the battery is replaceable, worst case set up a timer for charging. I wish Milwaukee would make one like this.

I just got one on sale for $20.00 but I don't have a harbor freight close by, so I had them ship it for $6.99.
Used it once time only, but every time I set the magnet down on metal, the light shuts off
Seems to shut off other times too.
I thought I was hitting the switch, but I made sure I was not near the switch, and it still shut off.
Harbor freight is supposed to send me a new one, but it won't be here until after Christmas .
Hope I have better luck with this one.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I just got one on sale for $20.00 but I don't have a harbor freight close by, so I had them ship it for $6.99.
Used it once time only, but every time I set the magnet down on metal, the light shuts off
Seems to shut off other times too.
I thought I was hitting the switch, but I made sure I was not near the switch, and it still shut off.
Harbor freight is supposed to send me a new one, but it won't be here until after Christmas .
Hope I have better luck with this one.

That sucks1 I just checked mine seem ok, hopefully the replacement is good!