Battery powered lights. What are you using?

[impactims]

Hand held flashlights? To me they are kinda useless unless they have a magnetic base. A light must have the ability to be hands free to be useful. If you hands are ******* holding a light, what can you beyond look? Not much.

Headlamps? I always use one not matter what it seems like. Which one do you like? I am guessing most here find them as useful as I do.

Little rectangular lights that pivot and have a magnetic base? They have been getting popular lately. I have a few.

Goose neck lights? I have one. It is not as useful as it looks like it would be. But I keep it around.

I will take some pics tomorrow.

What are your go-to battery powered lights?

 

[Gebirgekind]

1. Streamlight Strion Switchblade: love the natural light setting and that I can keep a spare battery on the charger; really versatile, especially around the engine compartment
2. Bosch FL12 12v Worklight: basically a mini floodlight, super bright, excellent under the truck and shares batteries with my handy 5-in-1 drill/driver
3. Any quality headlamp: Petzl is my preferred, but I've worked as a climbing guide for too long so have several hanging around; all major outdoor brands are excellent.

 

[signcrafter]

Depends on what you are doing, car repairs or construction?

I have a few milwaukee lights that I mainly use. I have the m18 tripod light that I use for construction projects. Have a m12 rover light that works good for car repairs and is magnetic and the head swivels. Also have the m12 compact flood light. Then have a few other stick lights from astro. And some others.

 

[zimman]

$27.99 and you'll never go back.
Zim

 

[Snip's]

Thanks for the recommendation Zim... Been wanting one for awhile... Order placed this morning on the Jungle site... $27.99

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Sometimes you just have to look. So #1 will always be the Surefire in my pocket.

Headlamp? ScanGrip
Inspection light with magnetic base? Unilite IL-425R & Snap-On
Hybrid inspection light? Würth

Neck light? Not for me.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[LeeG]

How much light, where. and for how long?

I EDC a Fenix LD30. I use it many times a day. If I am going to be walking around doing different tasks, I prefer a Milwaukee neck light. Under a vehicle or in a confined space, usually an M12 Rover, a Maxxeon Cyclops light, or one of the one of the folding stick lights. For work in rooms or outdoors, I'll use the M18 Rocket lights.

IMO, the big advantage of these powerful battery powered lights is that they are so easy to set up, I use them rather than trying to work in poor lighting because its such a pain to string an extension cord or hook up a generator.

Lee

 

[pbon]

For car and construction projects I use Milwaukee because I have a lot of Milwaukee and can share batteries among the tools. For handheld flashlights, I don’t think Milwaukee is anything special. I have steam light, olight, Fenix, sofirn and others, all rechargeable except a few of the little ones.

Head lights and neck lights are also useful. I have a few different brands but no favorites. Mostly rechargeable.

 

[seber]

Magnetic stick lights. Head lamps don't work for me as I need to wear a cap due to often working under grimy tractors. I also carry a Nitecore Tini 3.

 

[Davefr]

I like these. You need to supplement them with a heavy 3" x 5/16" steel disc for situations where you don't have a ferrous surface.

Has anyone tried flashlight gloves for working in tight spaces where it's difficult to aim a light??

 

[WisJim]

How about some links to the lights, or at least some specific model numbers?

 

[Jakemedic]

I have had excellent experiences with Fenix lighting. These people provide world class customer service. https://www.fenixlighting.com/
I had my granddaughter chew the rubber switch cover off my EDC flashlight from them. I reached out, they shipped me a new one at no cost and a link to the instructions how to replace it. I’ve purchased at least 10 different lights for gifts to family. Not a single complaint or problem.

i purchased this headlamp for my aging brother for Christmas this year. It should be at his door today. https://www.fenixlighting.com/products/fenix-hm70r-rechargeable-headlamp

I have had my Headlamp for 8 yrs now, and other than replacing the strap, I haven’t had any problems whatsoever.

I don’t leave home without my Fenix PD35. In fact I lost my original PD32 like 3 days before a 2 week camping trip to Alaska. I ordered a replacement and asked them to send it quickly because of the trip. It was in my hands a day before the trip at no additional charge.

This is not a paid advertisement for Fenix at all. There are plenty of places to buy them from. But the company I listed above takes care of their customers.

 

[zendriver]

I’m a big fan of the icon, magnetic hockey puck lights

Hardest part is forgetting where I leave them

 

[mrvm]

I’m a big fan of the icon, magnetic hockey puck lights

Hardest part is forgetting where I leave them

I recovered my puck light many moons & miles away still under the vehicle after blaming someone else LOL

 

[zendriver]

I recovered my puck light many moons & miles away still under the vehicle after blaming someone else LOL

Just yesterday, I stuck one to the side of my black torpedo heater, so I could see how much fuel I was putting in

 

[kbeefy]

Streamlight wedge in my pocket all the time.

Strion has been retired to nightstand and vehicle.



I have several Astro 40SL and several cheap copies scattered around the house, in the camper, and on my workbench.
Astro 100SL on my workbench.



Several headlamps, don't recall the brands.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

How about some links to the lights, or at least some specific model numbers?

I added a Model# for the Unilite that is actually currently still available. All others from my lineup are long discontinued.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[dnschmidt]

ASTRO for me along with Milwaukee. The advantage of Milwaukee is the interchangeable batteries of which I have an unlimited supply.

 

[mooman]

Lights with magnetic bases are becoming a less useful feature with all the aluminum body panels that are newer vehicles these days.
I went to stick one on the bed of my truck to help me see while I buffed out a scratch......nope!

 

[impactims]

My go to for under the hood and under the car. Maxxeon Cyplops lights.

The 900 Maxxbeam is the beast. If room allows, it is the first choice. Amazing light and long battery life.







For scale, here it is next to its little brother the Maxxeon Cyclops 800 series. Smaller, less light, less battery life. If the 900 is too big, out comes the 800 Cyclops.

 

[impactims]

I always use some form of head lamp. There are the “band” types that have LED lights then there are the “flashlight on your head” types.

Conveniently, the LED bands can work in conjunction with the flashlight on your head, the flashlight above the LED band. The LED band takes up very little forehead space thus room for two or one band plus a flashlight head light, whichever you prefer. I do this frequently.

The best LED band headlight I have ever used by far is the Lightband Pro 1000. Very long battery life and 1000 lumens. Not exactly ideal when on a creeper laying down because the big battery pack is on the back of your head. But for anything else, this this is awesome!

 

[paulsomlo]

Flashlight: Fenix PD36R
Headlamp: Fenix HM50R
Stick Light: Astro 72SL

 

[impactims]

I have had excellent experiences with Fenix lighting. These people provide world class customer service. https://www.fenixlighting.com/
I had my granddaughter chew the rubber switch cover off my EDC flashlight from them. I reached out, they shipped me a new one at no cost and a link to the instructions how to replace it. I’ve purchased at least 10 different lights for gifts to family. Not a single complaint or problem.

i purchased this headlamp for my aging brother for Christmas this year. It should be at his door today. https://www.fenixlighting.com/products/fenix-hm70r-rechargeable-headlamp

I have had my Headlamp for 8 yrs now, and other than replacing the strap, I haven’t had any problems whatsoever.

I don’t leave home without my Fenix PD35. In fact I lost my original PD32 like 3 days before a 2 week camping trip to Alaska. I ordered a replacement and asked them to send it quickly because of the trip. It was in my hands a day before the trip at no additional charge.

This is not a paid advertisement for Fenix at all. There are plenty of places to buy them from. But the company I listed above takes care of their customers.

They look interesting! Never heard of them. Looks like Zoro carries them which is nice, considering the coupons they frequently send out. For the kind of stuff they offer, flashlights and flashlight type head lamps I have always stuck to Coast.

 

[Jakemedic]

They look interesting! Never heard of them. Looks like Zoro carries them which is nice, considering the coupons they frequently send out. For the kind of stuff they offer, flashlights and flashlight type head lamps I have always stuck to Coast.

They have sales a few times per year. Typically 20% off. I have an EDC, a much larger one I used when I was working the streets and my headlamp, which is 8 yrs old now. I personally purchase direct from that website. Mostly because I know I will get support if I need it, and they have the record of the purchase.

 

[fourjeepin]

I recently got one of the cyclops knocks offs for working on my Jeep and love it.

 

[wjjeep]

Everyday carry type: Fenix 1x18650 flashlight
Garage use/around the house tasks: Milwaukee M12 and M18 trueview LED lights

 

[Snap-on_rich]

M18 rovers for area lights, m12 for work lights/task lights and streamlights for handheld flashlights

 

[jsaw]

I have a few of those Braun lights They do not stand up to the daily use I put them through. I have dropped them and broken them in half . I had to JB weld a couple of them back together, but now they do not flex. Battery life *****. I have 3 batteries that I rotate..Just to last a day . They are handy when they work, but I won't buy any more of them.

 

[impactims]

Lights with magnetic bases are becoming a less useful feature with all the aluminum body panels that are newer vehicles these days.
I went to stick one on the bed of my truck to help me see while I buffed out a scratch......nope!

You bring up a good point.

I do run into more and more aluminum; however, I have never actually run into not having any options at all as to where to put a magnetic light.

 

[Rinspeed]

They look interesting! Never heard of them. Looks like Zoro carries them which is nice, considering the coupons they frequently send out. For the kind of stuff they offer, flashlights and flashlight type head lamps I have always stuck to Coast.

Fenix makes a pretty damn good light for the money, I also have a PD35 that I carry some. I also have four or five Zebralights and they make an amazing small light/headlamp. Another one to take a look at is the Acebeam H16, after buying my first H16 several months ago I bought two more because they were on sale and the quality is very good.

 

[bcschief]

Streamlight Stinger LED, not cheap but built to last.

 

[jpaw]

For automotive I use a streamlight stinger and a maxxeon cyclops 800.

 

[KnurledNut]

I’m getting to where I don’t much care for worklights with integrated batteries.
I would rather charge the battery separately and still have use of my light.
I make exception for small edc like my MicroStream usb.

 

[mervyn]

Got one of these several years ago. Awesome.

Liteband

Shop Liteband for the leading wide beam and multi spot light LED headlamps. Our head lamps provide 210° of full area high illumination. Bright, rechargeable and AAA battery powered models. Adjustable headlamp hard hat light for pros. Find your best rated, hands free lighting solution for work...

liteband.com

 

[mervyn]

This one

 

[willf650]

Lights are becoming my thing. Not because I like them but because I'm getting older and can't see squat in low light.

For a flash light I always have this stream light wedge xt in my pocket.


For a headlamp I had several Klein ones but this one is simply the best. Everything at arms reach is lit up tremendously. It's much like the couple other headlamps posted above, maybe made by the same OEM.
Headlamp



As far as small work lights I have a bunch. They are all stuck inside the back door of my work truck cap and I'll grab one or two when tooling up and throw them in a sac. They rotate on which ones are used based on which are recharging in my truck cab. The Milwaukee on the left and the orange Klein are my favorites in this class.
Klein
Milwaukee

The Icon octagon light I just got in the past two weeks while on sale 40% off so I can't give an informed opinion on it yet. Only used it on a job twice so far. On paper it should be a winner.

The Bosch on the right is probably about 18 years old and the only reason I keep 10.8/12v Bosch batteries around. It was head and shoulders the best compact work light at the time and still not bad now.
Bosch



When I need more light and may be working in a dark mechanical room for a while I'll break out the M18 lights. The one is a topper and is tiny. It's nice just to throw in a tool sac when you know you will have M18 batteries with you for other tools.

Battery topper light



Bear in mind I'm not in a shop environment so I have to carry everything in with me. If I'm really set up in a place for a while I have an m12 rocket light I may bring in but that one has to be purposely be brought in because you can just throw it in a sack.

 

[impactims]

Snap on neck light. Can be used on head or neck. Not even close to being as useful as I thought it would be. The lights are removable and have a magnetic base. So, mini flashlights I guess. But the magnet is so weak it’s useless to use it for sticking it somewhere under a hood for light.

A big thumbs down for this one.

The only time it has been useful is when it is used along with a headlamp for additional light.

Not even close to being comfortable on the neck or the head.

 

[impactims]

Snap on gooseneck light. Another one of those tools that look better than they actually are. Not useful at all. Not for working on cars, truck and motorcycles anyways. Huge, bulky, weak magnet, not a lot of light output. Thumbs down.

 

[impactims]

Nebo slim mini.

Awesome little light. Amazing output for its size and a very nice magnet. Very compact. Perfect for sticking somewhere out of the way in a crowded space.

The ultimate light when there is no space for something like a Cyclops light.

Lasts for 4 hours.

Very rarely do I do a job without pulling at least one of these out. If a Cyclops will fit, great. If not, out comes one of these. Sometimes I’ll use these in addition to a Cyclops.

 

[impactims]

Snap on folding flashlight.

Big, bulky, heavy, magnet not strong enough considering its size and weight. It’s “OK” as a hand held flashlight.

When opened up, it is a foot long and very tipsy when standing up on its magnet. One bump and it falls over due to its size and weight. So it’s not much use as a light that you can stick somewhere and use it hands free. It’s just too big and tipsy. As a hand held flashlight, it’s decent. Not as good as a flex light (more on that later). Hands free, a Cyclops light is far superior. So this light just isn’t that great. Hand held, not great. Hands free, terrible. When am I supposed to use it?