Automotive slim folding light comparison
- Thread starter qqzj
- Start date
This is my main light. I got it before I visit GJ often. Don’t know what I have missed relative to these auto special lights
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have the Icon light and completely agree that is was built backwards. 
however, I still like mine. I haven't soaked it in a bucket of liquid but, it has gotten covered in oil/atf/coolant and has been dropped numerous times without failing. Perhaps TTC got a lemon 
I view these fold up lights as expendable/consumable. If they last over a year, I'm happy.
however, I still like mine. I haven't soaked it in a bucket of liquid but, it has gotten covered in oil/atf/coolant and has been dropped numerous times without failing. Perhaps TTC got a lemon I view these fold up lights as expendable/consumable. If they last over a year, I'm happy.
The Critic
Well-known member
If the tool truck brands have a true unconditional lifetime warranty, that Matco one actually looks quite good. I wish they tested the Milwaukee 2128-22 though.
decableguy2000
Well-known member
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- Nov 4, 2012
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- 653
The 500 lumen Braun from HF is great for the price, I did swap to a 3400mah battery though, as I had them on hand. I carry 2 of them in my tool bag daily and use almost daily.
assassin10000
Well-known member
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- Feb 11, 2022
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Wish they tested the astro ones as well. 
I have three of the Brauns and have dropped at least one of them multiple times from a few feet and it survived, but it definitely screams "too fragile to last for everyday use". Still, it has a replaceable battery, and I think I paid $20 for them on sale so I'm not expecting them to last more than a year or two, and I'm well past the year point with home use.
I agree that the Matco was the winner. If only you could change out the batteries....
I agree that the Matco was the winner. If only you could change out the batteries....
allinon72
Well-known member
I have the Icon and love it. Besides the larger LED being on the wrong side, but most of the time the smaller light is plenty anyway.
Sanny81
Well-known member
I absolutely love my Icon light. I use it everyday and when I left my first one on a job site I bought a second one. I recommend it to all my coworkers.
Wish they tested the astro ones as well.
I was thinking the same thing. I have two of the Astro 52SL lights. Use them constantly. But it would be interesting to see them actually abused on purpose.
I hope they are only leaving Astro out because they don't technically fold like the others that were tested.
The Braun style done pretty good for me in daily shop, this style can be found under various brands for pretty cheap money and easy swapping of the battery is BIG plus. along with easy positioning of main light as not back the front mess of icon, Icon could of done a lot better if had made proper effort sourcing/designing .Braun that cheap it totally disposable tool at professional shop costs and I would loose/damage a big buck light yearly at minimum, downside is Braun bit fragile on the joint and switch seems more problematic the newer you have purchased, little more lumens be good .
If want spend real coin then the Matco is currently a proper nice effort/design folding light . The matco folding light, the locking flex ratchets and the old Matco tool cabinets are about all I own/use of Matco .
If want spend real coin then the Matco is currently a proper nice effort/design folding light . The matco folding light, the locking flex ratchets and the old Matco tool cabinets are about all I own/use of Matco .
Andres26tnt
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- May 11, 2018
- Messages
- 994
All my HF lights have been ****. The Braun underhood light couldn't hold a charge to save its life. The Braun Slim also died within 6 months. Those cheap Amazon lights in the test video lasted longer lol. Now I buy quality first, don't care much about lumens as long as it's adequate. durability deff matters as my industry A&P isn't forgiving on tools.
Ditchdigger
Well-known member
The best thing about the Braun light is the control circuit. The fact that after being on for a short amount of time you do not have to cycle through the other light settings to turn it off is awesome.
The Braun also do not have the completely useless in infinitely irritating "strobe mode". At this point I refuse to buy any light that has to cycle through a strobe mode to turn it off. That simply means the maker based the circuit off the cheapest LED driver chip available.
I do however have 5 Brauns with bad USB charging ports. I like the lights a lot, but the micro USB port is poor quality and fails.
I am hitting the Matco rep up about their light this week.
The Braun also do not have the completely useless in infinitely irritating "strobe mode". At this point I refuse to buy any light that has to cycle through a strobe mode to turn it off. That simply means the maker based the circuit off the cheapest LED driver chip available.
I do however have 5 Brauns with bad USB charging ports. I like the lights a lot, but the micro USB port is poor quality and fails.
I am hitting the Matco rep up about their light this week.