Cordless LED Worklights

[Butters]

Looking for suggestions for an LED worklight or two. Wondering what people are using and recommending.

I think I might actually end up with two. A smaller magnetic one that I can stick in hard to reach places like these:

and a larger, general worklight like this:

I already have a corded fluorescent. It's okay, but it gets hot and the cord can be a PITA. I'd like an upgrade.

I searched a bit, but only found some fairly old threads. I have to think there's some pretty good LED worklights out now.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Most LED work light (bar/stick type)I have seen does not give you good flood type beam. So you have to adjust often or hold them in one spot.

 

[Tunger]

My dad gave me one of the craftsman versions. I really like it, it's got a magnetic base and a flashlight function. I use it 90% of the time at work instead of our old flourescent drop lights, pretty handy little light, I think they run about $35.

 

[usdemt]

I have the magnetic one on a the swivel. Its Blue Point rebranded but it is one of the handiest tools I have. I highly recommend them.

 

[shoturtle]

I like the larger one, I pick one up for 10 bucks. Like the fact it can be recharged or work off the charger. The light do not flood, but the area the light is cast is well light.

 

[PaulR]

recently picked up #3 in your pics, the Craftsman, no complaints, 3 modes, good light, hook and magnet, nice stiff on/off button that does not turn off accidently every time you grab it.

oh, 12v charge cord too.

 

[defy]

Does anyone know who is the OEM for the the bluepoint led work light that has the magnetic back and base, where the base will flex 180 degrees. They had one with 21 LEDs but now they've updated to 2 higher watt

 

[JASTECH]

I have the one like 3rd picture down from "commercial electric" supply. It can blind you if close, it charges via ac/dc cig lighter or I can use solar cell panel for diesel batts.


I liked the butterfly style that came out prior to December for 49.99 MSRP on sale for 39.99. It has rare earth magnets on back of both wings, or it can just sit up. Great for sticking under the hood or mag'd to anything underneath to keep hands free or just set it up like a open book. I did see it at a store last night for 20.00 clearence.

 

[Greatbear]

The green and black "puck" style lights are similar to the ones sold by HF (they are blue and black, but otherwise identical). I bought several for less than 4 dollars a pop, and they are handy as hell. Decent light output, they have a 24 element flood light and a three element "spot" flashlight on the end. Comes with three AA cells. The only issue with them is the magnet WILL eventually fall out. Clean off the glue residue and reglue it and you're good to go. I have them on the garage, the basement workshop and in the RV. They seem to be very well made, especially given the price.

 

[Danglerb]

I've heard good things about the HF pucks, they are on my list for next HF trip.

This is an item where I am convinced good/disposable is best for now, as LED stuff is improving so fast something really good should be around in a year or so.

Right now I think CFL is best for high level of output, LED more of a spot thing, but the smaller ones are still handy enough to have a couple.

 

[Butters]

This is an item where I am convinced good/disposable is best for now, as LED stuff is improving so fast something really good should be around in a year or so.

That's sort of the reason I'm asking. Although I actually think LEDs are at the point they can do almost anything the other lights can do, only better. But you still have to pay for good ones. Which I don't mind doing.

There still seems to be a wide variety in the quality and price of LEDs lights. The cheaper LEDs generally fail pretty quickly (not the LEDs themselves, but the product), the internal batteries are garbage, or the light quality borders on useless.

I wouldn't mind paying for a decent LED droplight. But it can be pretty hard to determine that just by looking. I was thinking I might go with Craftsman so I could take it back easily, but those don't seem to be rated very well on the Sears site. If anybody has specific makes and models, please feel free to post them.

 

[bgott]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=34548&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=2441&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I have both of these. I bought the ECFBP20 first and loved it, then I decided to try the ECFPTK20 and it's even better. I love being able to stick these lights up into confined places and being able to see! I did a search to see if I could find the original manufacturer so I could buy them cheaper, no luck. I did find out that quality lights such as these are not much cheaper.

 

[metaleltr]

The ones in the first picture are handier than hell. The magnet will collect massive amounts of shavings in metalworking environments.

 

[bentt]

I recommend the Streamlight Knucklehead. I bought the alkaline model and use it with AA Eneloop rechargeables. (Even though the light is regulated, rechargeable AAs may void the warranty so check before using!!)

The beam is a centre weighted flood; white but on the cool side of neutral, colour rendition is quite good.

The magnet is removable and the rubber boot covering the magnet keeps the light from sliding even on rounded vertical surfaces such as pipes; on finished surfaces I just throw a clean rag under the magnet.

AFAIK, replacement lens, boot & hook can be purchased separately.

http://streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=205

 

[DrkMtnDew]

i'm realy happy with the black/blue HF lights. bright, compact, magnet/hook, and cheap.

 

[xurusaibobx]

i think ive gone through over 6 different LED work lights none of them lasted very long or was bright enough.

i do have the Snap On/Blue point puck round one and thats great if you want to have it mounted to the frame under the car as a spot light or under the hood down.

right now i use the craftsmans CORDED led light which works the best. ( i had the cordless ones and it just doesnt last long and bright to my opinion bot the black and red sticks)

had a few bayco ones and after maybe 2 months of usage charging. the battery no longer kept charge

hard to find a good light these days

 

[SIDECAR BOB]

puck lighst reasonable light super cheap

 

[SINISTER]

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MXL30B/CORDLESS-30-LED-WORK-LIGHT/

I use that one. Its a bit expensive but it works great and I put it through the grind. Snap on also has the same one in green. I am sure its re-branded so you can find it cheaper somewhere.

I also have a strap type worklight that straps around the hood of a car. Its flexible and has I think 4-6 cree leds affixed on it. I got it through my snap on dealer though its not generally sold by them. I dont have the PN im not at work. Its like day light when you are working under there. Best hood light I have ever seen.

 

[Butters]

I ordered the bottom two just to have something. My experience is similar to xurusaibob's.

That Matco light pretty expensive relative to the others, but not really out of line with good LEDs. Something like sinister described, 4-6 cree LEDs, would be way more preferable to 24 resistor fed LEDs IMHO.

I may try to see if I can figure out who makes that Matco one. I think if I could find it for about $75 I would jump on it.

Thanks for all the tips.

 

[plinker]

I've used the Craftsman one in the bottom pic, nice light but the switch takes getting used to (flashlight mode?) .

I have an ATD saberlight (30 LED) and know a couple of others that have them. They are a good light for the money.

 

[Butters]

Somebody had posted that this is the same light as the Matco. I'm not sure - they're similar, but not identical. However, it gets good reviews and is under $70 shipped on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Z-Red-XL3000-Rechargeable-Cordless/dp/B000OCHBDI

I ordered it (and cancelled my previous order for the black LED droplight). I'll post a review when it comes.

 

[91bronc300]

I plan on buying this when I get around to placing another order with amazon

 

[gtrotter]

I use a railroad lantern. It uses rechargable batteries, has both led and old style light, and you can use the handle to position it or hang it. They take a beating, plus you can hang it in the crook of your arm while working on something.

 

[91turbogsx]

I've got the Craftsman cordless and couldn't be happier. Mine seems to be brighter than a new one just recently purchased by a friend though...??

 

[Sureshot]

I m on my second Bayco light and love them. Take them on hunting trips and all over in my pickup. Comes with wall and lighter chargers, good battery life, magnets stick where you want them and pretty rugged. My first lasted about 2 yrs of alot of abuse and droppage etc. Never gave a second thought on getting another. slr-2166 is the model. May even buy another incase they discontinue them as seems to happen to all items to good to be true.

 

[bimmerZ5]

get the dewalt dw919 and the LED replacement bulb from eBay. I can get almost 19hrs on a full charge and that bulb can blind people!

 

[aar0s]

I have two on the side of my box and one on top of the fridge in the house, real handy when the power goes out, stuck it to ductwork and door hinges. power is decent but not real real bright.

 

[Mori55]

I saw this , wish it had lithium batteries.http://www.maxxeon.com/led_professional_worklight_workstar_2000.html

 

[BBC71Nova]

What brand is that red swivel puck led. I got the blue point for christmas and wouldn't mind having another. It has been more handy than I thought.

Thanks

 

[yogitech]

Streamlight for me!

 

[P1et]

Who makes these?

 

[Butters]

What brand is that red swivel puck led. I got the blue point for christmas and wouldn't mind having another. It has been more handy than I thought.

Thanks

The one I typically see is Ullman, as pictured. There's a Matco badged one that will set you back $30. I ordered mine off Amazon from a 3rd party vendor. I believe Duluth Trading has them for a couple more bucks if you want a more trusted source.

I never thought about converting my DeWalt to LED. I never really use the thing because I forget I have it. I really should keep it somewhere more handy.

 

[Butters]

I received both my lights today and my initial reaction is it was money well spent. After receiving the two lights, I am fairly certain they are identical to the ones Matco rebadges and sell for $28 and $141. I paid about $75 for both. The worklight looks slightly different from what is shown in post 21. But it looks identical to what is listed as MXL30B on the Matco site.

It's bright and has a decently broad beam. My initial impression is that it seems pretty well made. If it lasts a couple years and gives me anything even close to 10 hours per charge, I will be thrilled.

I also bought a magnetic clip so it can be attached by that if the hook doesn't get me where I need it.

I'll probably post a review in a separate thread, but only after I've gotten enough use out of it to form an opinion one way or another.

 

[Butters]

After putting the two lights through their paces now, I feel comfortable recommending either.

The EZ Red XL3000 exactly fit the bill. I had a garage project that lasted the entire weekend. I really don't doubt the advertized 10 hour life on it. I probably used it about that long each day (charged at night). I also had bought the magnetic clip:

. It was nice having the light exactly where I wanted it and never getting blinded from the light. It was definitely worth the $60.

The Ullman rotating LED has also been useful. I actually have been using this on more often just because it is easy to grab for quick projects. I don't know that the light is any better than the under $5 ones you can find everywhere, but the swivel head is awesome. Stick it to something metal and then point the light where needed. It also survived a quick dunk in the oil catch pan.

 

[RKA]

I'll recommend you do NOT get the bayco FLR-2134PDQ from lowes. Run time is far too short, and the brightness falls off after the first half hour or so. I'm on year two with this, and I'm ready for something better. The physical design is great though...being so thin it can be fished down into the engine bay with ease. I just wish they would improve it with better LED's and batteries already. I'm dying to replace it.

 

[Dave.R]

I have this http://www.tektontools.com/All_Products/6119 I love it, it comes with a car charger and a house charger, end is a flashlight, and it slides out for a worklight. Magnet base will also hold it full extended out. While I admit I work for Tekton, I was a flashlight nerd long before I did. Also In the first post you show that puck light, our maxcraft light is one of the better ones out there I have tested, polycarbonate lens vs. poly styrene, Our magnet is .108 thick, and most are .75 or less, and thicker virgin plastic. not trying to bump the brand, just have spent the last week on this subject, Pieces are all over my desk as we speak!

 

[topdog849]

I plan on buying this when I get around to placing another order with amazon

This is a really great light!!!, as an alignment tech i use it everyday. i got it for a great price on amazon. the light output will light up a pitch black room, its really flexable so you can aim the light perfectly anywhere, magnetic base. it uses 3 AA it came with and they last pretty long. i hated my craftsman rechargeable light stick with magnetic holding ring. i had to charge that everyday and it wasnt even that bright, and the magnet was too weak for its weight it would always fall. then it wouldnt charge anymore unless i hold the plug inside with pressure. so i replaced it with this and have been happy sense. i may buy another for my truck/junkyard toolbox. only con is it doesn't come in black and the red gets dirty in shop environment. but it works better then any original corded chop light ive used and own

 

[RKA]

still trying to figure out what that ^^^ is