Automotive work light recommendations

[scooby074]

I have the Snap On models at top. They were expensive when I bought them maybe close to 10yrs ago. I recently saw what looks like the same light with a bluepoint label? Maybe they are cheaper now?

You guys need to hone your China manufacturing radars. The light at bottom doesn’t look anything like the top one. I’d bet they are most definitely not from the same factory. The base looks different, the light bezel is different. It’s not just the center portion with the bulb that’s different. Those are different molds. Doesn’t mean it’s junk, but this is how China works. Chinese manufacturers rip each other off as much as they rip off everyone else.

For me, the key features of this light are its long life and strong magnet. Given a choice, I'd pick the magnet over the battery life.

If the cyclops one is like that, it’s good. Don’t care about lumen output too much. I’ve found when buying cheap lights the magnets are often weak. That’s probably an easy corner to cut. When you try out the Nebo lights in the hardware store, they are always stuck to a nice flat surface. My cars don’t have any of those (flat surfaces). Will it stick to a 1” iron pipe at 90degrees?

The magnet is what makes this light shine (sorry).

I think these are all I currently have:

The taller bluepoint ones are nice but they hinge at the top and their magnet isn’t strong enough to support them like that.

Here’s another rubber hits the road application. This little guy is hanging on despite not having much metal to attach to!


Pretty sure most of my cars' hoods are now aluminum which makes attaching lights for engine bay work more challenging.

Mine are genuine SO. Same as the first, only red. Its a quality unit.

As to the Cyclops, obviously the emitter is a different config. The rest is 90% the same as SO. Id love to see an internal teardown, I bet there is a whole lot in common inside.

 

[Wiz02]

Mine are genuine SO. Same as the first, only red. Its a quality unit.

As to the Cyclops, obviously the emitter is a different config. The rest is 90% the same as SO. Id love to see an internal teardown, I bet there is a whole lot in common inside.

Interesting comparison, but some measurements comparing the light output, color etc. would be nice.

 

[scooby074]

Interesting comparison, but some measurements comparing the light output, color etc. would be nice.

Yeah that would be a TTC thing. Id love to see it myself.

Even more interesting is the new SO light that replaced mine has a round emitter and battery charge indicator like the Cyclops that came before it ! New SO Body is a different shape and made of Aluminium though. Curious about whats inside the housing however.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Off topic I like Surefire products for lighting not only for auto. IMHO when it matters Surefire is the way to go.

 

[engineer2]

I'm thinking about the new Makita DML818 underhood light, but not sure if I would use it enough to justify it. Other than some routine maintenance, I don't do a lot of underhood time. My DML816 covers most everything I need including home repairs.

 

[charbar]

I have the Snap On light like above. Definitely my go to light. No idea what it cost since a customer gave it to me. Said he found it under the hood of his semi truck. Looked like it had been through hell and back when he gave it to me and I've sent it there and back a few more times and it keeps on ticking no problem. Been up and down the road countless times stuck to the bottom of vehicles, dropped in buckets of oil and coolant, bounced across the shop floor etc. Tough light for sure.

I bought one similar to it from HF...the Braun line not the Icon one. Not a bad light but battery longevity is nowhere close to the Snap On. It is fairly new so i haven't been too rough with it yet either.

I also have a Milwaukee M12 underhood light. Its awesome. Basically a must for underhood work anymore because unless you are working on 79 Fords then you are going to have a tough time finding anywhere to stick a magnetic light. Everything is plastic and aluminum under (and including) the hood anymore.
I a lot of times I will even use the Milwaukee light under the lift because it can be hung from various places under a car.

Another option I use is the cheap 120v 4 ft. LED lights that are supposed to be hung from the ceiling. Plug one in and lay it under the car pointing straight up and it will light up everything.

 

[Chefjpd]

Do you have a specific battery powered tool brand?
If so, there are a lot of lights that slide right on to your existing batteries.
I have a few for Milwaukee and Worx.

For example, this is a $15 petal light attachment for my Worx batteries:

20240723_173756 by chefjpd, on Flickr

20240723_173812 by chefjpd, on Flickr

 

[Wiz02]

I have the Snap On light like above. Definitely my go to light. No idea what it cost since a customer gave it to me. Said he found it under the hood of his semi truck. Looked like it had been through hell and back when he gave it to me and I've sent it there and back a few more times and it keeps on ticking no problem. Been up and down the road countless times stuck to the bottom of vehicles, dropped in buckets of oil and coolant, bounced across the shop floor etc. Tough light for sure.

I bought one similar to it from HF...the Braun line not the Icon one. Not a bad light but battery longevity is nowhere close to the Snap On. It is fairly new so i haven't been too rough with it yet either.

I also have a Milwaukee M12 underhood light. Its awesome. Basically a must for underhood work anymore because unless you are working on 79 Fords then you are going to have a tough time finding anywhere to stick a magnetic light. Everything is plastic and aluminum under (and including) the hood anymore.
I a lot of times I will even use the Milwaukee light under the lift because it can be hung from various places under a car.

Another option I use is the cheap 120v 4 ft. LED lights that are supposed to be hung from the ceiling. Plug one in and lay it under the car pointing straight up and it will light up everything.

Interesting idea to use a 4ft led under the car. I'm going to try it as it's basically free, given that I have all the bits and pieces.

 

[Wiz02]

Do you have a specific battery powered tool brand?
If so, there are a lot of lights that slide right on to your existing batteries.
I have a few for Milwaukee and Worx.

For example, this is a $15 petal light attachment for my Worx batteries:

20240723_173756 by chefjpd, on Flickr

20240723_173812 by chefjpd, on Flickr

Your suggestion is something that I never would have thought of and is exactly why I started this thread.

Thanks!

 

[P0234]

I have lots of lights spanning decades. However lately I just use a good head lamp. These Energizer ones are so cheap yet so good.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BF5XZMS9?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[charbar]

Interesting idea to use a 4ft led under the car. I'm going to try it as it's basically free, given that I have all the bits and pieces.

I haven't really had time to experiment much or do anything permanent but I have one lift that is placed only 12 feet from my front shop wall and when I held one of those lights against the wall so it was shining straight out it really lit up the front bottom side of the vehicle. I was holding it right above my stem wall so roughly 16" above the floor.

Might see what one light running vertical on the front or back of each lift post would be like also. Maybe mount them on some type of hinge so they can be folded flat against the lift post if you needed them out of the way.

In an attempt to not derail this thread anymore I also use my streamlight micro stream a billion times a day under the lift. 80 percent of the time I'm holding it in my mouth because I need both hands. A piece of heat shrink tubing at the back helps so you're not grinding your teeth on it. Gives me the shivers just thinking about metal scraping my teeth.

 

[P0234]

In an attempt to not derail this thread anymore I also use my streamlight micro stream a billion times a day under the lift. 80 percent of the time I'm holding it in my mouth because I need both hands. A piece of heat shrink tubing at the back helps so you're not grinding your teeth on it. Gives me the shivers just thinking about metal scraping my teeth.

What is it with people that like a big flashlight in their mouth? Covered with a rubber no less...

The Car Wizard (Youtube) is like this too.

Why why why.... a head lamp works great for this.....

 

[charbar]

What is it with people that like a big flashlight in their mouth? Covered with a rubber no less...

The Car Wizard (Youtube) is like this too.

Why why why.... a head lamp works great for this.....

Personal preference I guess? I do have a couple headlights but never really use them. Always seemed awkward and bulky to have it hanging off my head (the ones I have anyway). I wear a hat all the time as well so I would be swapping between a hat and the light all the time. Streamlight is on my person at all times so if I get into something before I realize I need a light I can just reach in my pocket and grab it instead of stopping what Im doing and going to the toolbox. Way handier especially if I already have my other hand stuck down in a hole or holding something. I can manipulate the flashlight in my mouth to shine anywhere I need it to as well without having to use my hands. Many times with a headlamp I found I either had to use a third hand to readjust or else have my head tilted back while Im starting down at my nose just to get the light where I need it and actually be able to look at what Im working on. Pretty strenuous on my eyes.

Microstream light is pretty small as well.

Sanitary? No, but touching a door handle in a public place grosses me out more than sticking a dirty flashlight in my mouth

That's my take on it anyway.

 

[P0234]

Personal preference I guess? I do have a couple headlights but never really use them. Always seemed awkward and bulky to have it hanging off my head (the ones I have anyway). I wear a hat all the time as well so I would be swapping between a hat and the light all the time. Streamlight is on my person at all times so if I get into something before I realize I need a light I can just reach in my pocket and grab it instead of stopping what Im doing and going to the toolbox. Way handier especially if I already have my other hand stuck down in a hole or holding something. I can manipulate the flashlight in my mouth to shine anywhere I need it to as well without having to use my hands. Many times with a headlamp I found I either had to use a third hand to readjust or else have my head tilted back while Im starting down at my nose just to get the light where I need it and actually be able to look at what Im working on. Pretty strenuous on my eyes.

Microstream light is pretty small as well.

Sanitary? No, but touching a door handle in a public place grosses me out more than sticking a dirty flashlight in my mouth

That's my take on it anyway.

Makes sense with the hat, when wearing one, I switch to yo-boi mode with the hat and all is well. I'm with you on the light and direction, I have tried a lot of head lights as well, some cheap, some expensive. But the Energizer light I linked above disperses the light so well, once you aim it once, you are done. Sometimes I even forget I have it on and I get yelled at when I come in the house and blind people with it.

 

[Rinspeed]

Off topic I like Surefire products for lighting not only for auto. IMHO when it matters Surefire is the way to go.

I've always been a huge Surefire fan and own at least 5 or 6 of them.

 

[mrjaw14]

What is it with people that like a big flashlight in their mouth? Covered with a rubber no less...

The Car Wizard (Youtube) is like this too.

Why why why.... a head lamp works great for this.....

I was on a job site once when maglights were common. one day all the electricians came in with some heat shrink wrap on the handles. I said what gives? They said that the day before someone had core drilled through a slab and hit some large electrical. They were there in the dark with their maglights between their teeth trying to decide if it was still hot or not when one of the dumber ones grabbed a stick of conduit and jammed it down the hole. Well it was still hot, and it threw him back a good distance. His maglight was tack welded to his teeth! They all continued on with their maglights now with heat shrink handles, but I went and got myself a headlight shortly after that.

 

[WagonHo!]

ATD Light Saber terrific

 

[charbar]

If anyone was curious about the new Snap On ECPRH108 light, don't waste your money.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Super bright, good battery life, USB-C charging, aluminum construction....I thought it would be great. BUT the magnet is absolutely terrible on this $150 dollar paper weight. If you breathe on it the thing will fall off. I stick all my magnetic lights to the side of my shop fridge to charge them and this thing will just barely hold itself to the side without sliding all the way down to the floor. It's pathetic honestly. Pisses me off every time I (try) to use it.

I can't help but think the assholes at Snap On released it knowing the magnets **** just so they can 'revise' it in two years with a stronger magnet and sell basically the same light for a second time around.

For anybody considering this light do yourself a favor and just buy four of the Harbor Freight Braun ones for the same price.

 

[scooby074]

If anyone was curious about the new Snap On ECPRH108 light, don't waste your money.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Super bright, good battery life, USB-C charging, aluminum construction....I thought it would be great. BUT the magnet is absolutely terrible on this $150 dollar paper weight. If you breathe on it the thing will fall off. I stick all my magnetic lights to the side of my shop fridge to charge them and this thing will just barely hold itself to the side without sliding all the way down to the floor. It's pathetic honestly. Pisses me off every time I (try) to use it.

I can't help but think the assholes at Snap On released it knowing the magnets **** just so they can 'revise' it in two years with a stronger magnet and sell basically the same light for a second time around.

For anybody considering this light do yourself a favor and just buy four of the Harbor Freight Braun ones for the same price.

I have the OG version of that light. Its been a goto for years. Magnet is strong enough to hold on even when the car leaves and comes back!
Im surprised they cheapened it. Wonder if you got a dud? Id be talking to my driver if it was mine.

 

[jonshonda]

I've got a few Astro 52SL's and while I do like them 75% of the time, 25% of the time I hate them. Magnets aren't very strong and it's tall, so it will easily tip over or fall off a metal surface. The magnets are weak enough that if you don't have a nice flat, clean metal surface then don't count on it staying in place.

There is also an issue of the magnets and metal debris. It's no fun running your finger across a magnet full of metal shavings.

I would suggest a multi light approach, as there is rarely a case of "too much light". So maybe a puck light with a nice wide base so it's sturdy when placed on unlevel surfaces, and a stick light for other stuff.

 

[charbar]

Magnet is strong enough to hold on even when the car leaves and comes back!
Im surprised they cheapened it.

Before I bought this light my Snap On driver and I were joking about how there are probably just as many Snappy lights out on the road stuck to the bottom of vehicles as there are in shops. This had usually been my experience as well so I didn't even question the magnet on this new light.

Hard telling if they actually cheapened it up or if they thought the same amount of magnet from the old lights would be sufficient for these new lights. New light is quite a bit heavier than any of the older ones so it would obviously need more magnet to be equal to the older ones. Regardless of how it happened, they definitely screwed the pooch in the 'weight to magnet power' department.

It is going back for sure, I just haven't seen the truck for like a month! He just text me again this morning that he won't be around today

 

[Shadowdog500]

I have two of the older HF Brawn, Item# 56329, 390 lumen lights which I really like. I can only assume the newer brighter HF ones are better. They have a magnet in the handle and can be put in tight places to illuminate whatever you are working on. This comes in handy on cars that have bottom engine covers that only give you a small hole to change the oil and filer.

I recently bought this coast XPH30R headlight. It’s more than bright enough and also has a magnet to place it in tight places. The photo shows it on my new bump cap for working under the lift.

 

[scooby074]

It is going back for sure, I just haven't seen the truck for like a month! He just text me again this morning that he won't be around today

Never fails does it! I got some snap ring pliers on order since well before . Still waiting for him to come by.

 

[landstuhltaylor]

I was wondering about that HF light with respect to sturdiness. I drop stuff all the time. Amazon has an Astro Pneumatic one and some knock offs, and the knock offs seem to have similar reviews as the Astro one.

I prefer to buy something decent that lasts, but so far all I've found are basically disposable lights.

Haven't had much garage time this year, but I did drop one of these off the tractor in a muddy field this spring. Found it about 3 months later half buried in the field and it still had a charge and turned on. For the price they seem solid. Even better at the 50% off they were a while ago.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

I have an astro stick light, and a streamlight switchblade. I prefer the streamlight but it's more expensive. The astros last a few years and get flicker issues. They're tough though, I've hit the Astros with torches, lots of drops, they usually soldier on until the flicker starts and I buy another light.

Now I have the switchblade AND the 65SL Astro. I just alternate between the two when the other dies. I think the ergonomics of the switchblade are superior since it bends and can easily point downwards. The Astro has a better magnet, better for hanging upside off the unibody. I think the astro is better under-car, and the streamlight is better under the hood.

This

The Streamlight switchblade is very nice. Under dash the softer light i find is a game changer on the eyes. Battery lasts a long time as well!

 

[WWheeler]

There's only one handheld lights I have been grabbing for the past 3+ years and that's been Astro's 52SLs. Best lights ever. Here's a 60 sec YT Short where Eric O @ SMA gives a quick rundown on them.

Just being able to grab it and go, and toss it on the magnetic charger and grab the other, is how they all should be. No more fiddling with the stupid plug that is always the first thing to go. I wouldn't use a light I had to actually plug in and charge again if they agreed to send them to me for free.

Now Astro has went and made their great lights even better. The 52SLMAX. It's quite a bit brighter, and now has a stronger hinge with detents.

 

[N_Jay]

COAST Crew PM300

Configure your light to any circumstance—with the COAST PM300, a twist-focusing chameleon of a work light that adapts to your needs with endless positioning options. The light’s smooth-ratcheting magnetic handle swings on a 360-degree arc around its body.

coastportland.com

 

[johninct]

I have the Snap On models at top. They were expensive when I bought them maybe close to 10yrs ago. I recently saw what looks like the same light with a bluepoint label? Maybe they are cheaper now?

You guys need to hone your China manufacturing radars. The light at bottom doesn’t look anything like the top one. I’d bet they are most definitely not from the same factory. The base looks different, the light bezel is different. It’s not just the center portion with the bulb that’s different. Those are different molds. Doesn’t mean it’s junk, but this is how China works. Chinese manufacturers rip each other off as much as they rip off everyone else.

For me, the key features of this light are its long life and strong magnet. Given a choice, I'd pick the magnet over the battery life.

If the cyclops one is like that, it’s good. Don’t care about lumen output too much. I’ve found when buying cheap lights the magnets are often weak. That’s probably an easy corner to cut. When you try out the Nebo lights in the hardware store, they are always stuck to a nice flat surface. My cars don’t have any of those (flat surfaces). Will it stick to a 1” iron pipe at 90degrees?

The magnet is what makes this light shine (sorry).

I think these are all I currently have:

The taller bluepoint ones are nice but they hinge at the top and their magnet isn’t strong enough to support them like that.

Here’s another rubber hits the road application. This little guy is hanging on despite not having much metal to attach to!


Pretty sure most of my cars' hoods are now aluminum which makes attaching lights for engine bay work more challenging.

I have both the Snap-On and Cyclops and use them interchangeably . They are about the same with the Cyclops (to me) being the improved version.

 

[Outlier]

I recently bought this coast XPH30R headlight. It’s more than bright enough and also has a magnet to place it in tight places. The photo shows it on my new bump cap for working under the lift.

I've been very pleased with my sample. It's gotten me through several long days that turned into long nights. It's went 4 hours on high multiple times.

 

[N_Jay]

Coast makes good light.
Not cheap, but not as overpriced as some other brands.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

If anyone was curious about the new Snap On ECPRH108 light, don't waste your money.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Super bright, good battery life, USB-C charging, aluminum construction....I thought it would be great. BUT the magnet is absolutely terrible on this $150 dollar paper weight. If you breathe on it the thing will fall off. I stick all my magnetic lights to the side of my shop fridge to charge them and this thing will just barely hold itself to the side without sliding all the way down to the floor. It's pathetic honestly. Pisses me off every time I (try) to use it.

I can't help but think the assholes at Snap On released it knowing the magnets **** just so they can 'revise' it in two years with a stronger magnet and sell basically the same light for a second time around.

For anybody considering this light do yourself a favor and just buy four of the Harbor Freight Braun ones for the same price.

Try snap on ECARD062 articulate light, magnet is not bad. Very sturdy and bright.

 

[J808]

https://www.amazon.com/Maxxeon-MXN00811-Rechargeable-Cyclops-Workstar/dp/B07WJHGL82/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I've got them at home and work and have held up well, strong battery and durable, it's a good little light.

 

[fourjeepin]

I was about to start a new thread on this topic and found this one. Anything new to share that you guys would recommend? I’m leaning toward the cyclops style at the moment. I currently use a corded style droplight. It was a CFL but I switched it to led a few years ago. It does the job but the cord is super annoying.

 

[AEAdam]

I was about to start a new thread on this topic and found this one. Anything new to share that you guys would recommend? I’m leaning toward the cyclops style at the moment. I currently use a corded style droplight. It was a CFL but I switched it to led a few years ago. It does the job but the cord is super annoying.

I think the small puck style lights are invaluable. I recommend buying at least 2 because the one you need is guaranteed to burn out when you need it most. And you grow dependent on them.

The cyclops is pretty clearly NOT made in the same factory as the Snap On and is pretty clearly a rip off of the Snap on design. Only thing to watch out for with bargain Chinese cordless tools is their battery/charging circuitry. Plenty of smart people have dissected these things and found identical or superior power cells in the clones, but the on board power management chips can be dodgey. The concern is fire.

As long as you are careful with where and how you charge stuff, which you should be regardless of where the tool comes from, you should be okay.

If I were reviewing these, these would be my criteria:
1) we use these in close quarters. How wide is the beam?
2) does it have a hot spot?
3) how many clicks for on off?
4) how strong is the magnet? Will it stick to something round like a coil spring or jack handle? (Oriented parallel or perpendicular to the bar)
5) when it burns out, can you plug it into power and have it turn on again immediately?
6) will the magnet scratch a painted surface?
7) how long is the run time on high?

The snap on lights I have do a very good job of all of these. But there must be a clone that is nearly as good or just as good for less money. I’m not sure I would pick the cyclops due to what looks like exposed magnets and 3 click on.

The wand style lights are also nice to have in addition to the pucks.

I lost one of my Snap on lights. When it burned out I didn’t see it. Choose bright colored models that don’t match your cars’ paint.

Note I didn’t mention lumens in my criteria. I would pick CRI over lumens every day. I don’t think we need tons of lumens. Multiple sources is in some ways better. I often use 2 at the same time.

Hope this helps. I find these things to be pretty invaluable. And I wear a headlight most of the time.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

I use the Milwaukee underbody light and the Milwaukee USB stick light. Both of those are outstanding!

 

[richfinn]

I have a couple of rechargeable O Lights.

Perun 2 headlamp

Arkfield Pro flashlight (LED/UV light/Laser pointer)

They are both metal bodied and have a magnetic charging port, if you give me any kind of plastic lamp with a USB charging port I will find a way to destroy it

 

[Mirage]

I've been using the Ridgid magnetic task light just because that's the battery system I'm in.

 

[M635_Guy]

As an update to my original post, I've found the Icon bar a bit fiddly compared to the Milwaukee underhood light, but the two Icon puck lights have been terrific. My only small complaint is the lining on the base wore through on the one I use the most (and it's a lot), but some gaff tape solved that for a while. I got one of the smaller Braun ones that is mainly just that - smaller and not as bright. It serves the (non-automotive) task I bought it for, but would probably just spring for the Icon one if I ever want another. Milwaukee has a new version of the Rover light that's now 1200 lumens and has an articulated light. Pricey at a hundred bucks, but I've loved the original "Service and Repair Flood Light" so much it's actually tempting.

 

[scooby074]

Mine are genuine SO. Same as the first, only red. Its a quality unit.

As to the Cyclops, obviously the emitter is a different config. The rest is 90% the same as SO. Id love to see an internal teardown, I bet there is a whole lot in common inside.

An update. My long lasting ECFHKY has finally started to not hold charge very long. All the emitters are still working 100% and the USB charge port is also still working. Might look into a battery replacement if I get motivated. I dont think there is anything in the current catalog as good as the ECFHKY.