Facom Ultra Slim Inspection Lamp

[ultgar]

Just got one of these in today. Nice design and incredibly thin lamp body for getting into tight spots....its less than 1/2" thick. I suspect others will follow with similar products.

As this is a new product, it is currently being made in France. Eventually, like all other LED products in the world, production will likely get shifted to China.

Facom has a video of the product....see

 

[SantaAna12]

Seems a bit low on the output, but I do not often convert to lumens from lux.

Love the car rolling over it! Damn impressive. Picking it out of the sump? Another strong selling point.

 

[ultgar]

Seems a bit low on the output, but I do not often convert to lumens from lux.

Love the car rolling over it! Damn impressive. Picking it out of the sump? Another strong selling point.

I initially thought that too but you really don't want more than 300 lumens when working in tight spots. It'll wash out details or reflect right back into your eyes. Even most LED flashlights have 2-4 brightness modes...both to preserve battery life and to avoid over illumination as required.

SD

 

[RedRabbit]

How much is it. I might want one.

 

[dede2897234]

Seems a bit low on the output, but I do not often convert to lumens from lux.

Love the car rolling over it! Damn impressive. Picking it out of the sump? Another strong selling point.

SantaAna12,

I too am impressed with the abuse this light can take especially for how much it costs: Ultimate Garage .

I would not buy this flashlight because of one issue: the white light output. I prefer a flashlight that outputs a yellow or natural light. It makes it easier to see objects especially in a dark engine bay. I would imagine with the new generation of LED bulbs that are used in the Facom 779.SILR that a specific spectrum of white light might be able to easily discern objects in a darker environment.


Dave

 

[ultgar]

How much is it. I might want one.

They're $175.00 with the DIN plug adapter for the US market. I can't find any UK dealers selling these yet. I only have 1 left in stock at this time but will be ordering 12 more tomorrow.

If there's enough demand, I can get the price down to $150 delivered (excl AK/HI).

SD

 

[ultgar]

SantaAna12,

I too am impressed with the abuse this light can take especially for how much it costs: Ultimate Garage .

I would not buy this flashlight because of one issue: the white light output. I prefer a flashlight that outputs a yellow or natural light. It makes it easier to see objects especially in a dark engine bay. I would imagine with the new generation of LED bulbs that are used in the Facom 779.SILR that a specific spectrum of white light might be able to easily discern objects in a darker environment.


Dave

I used to sell full spectrum flip up task lights than came with 5000k lamps. These were marketed to customers for "detail work". Facom advertises the use of neutral white LED's in some of their other lamps (eg, the 779.CL3) which typically means 4000-4500k. I personally think this is ideal for this type of work but everyone's tastes are different. Older guys like myself often need a little whiter light....scotopic over photopic lumens are more important as we age. SD

 

[superautobacs]

These, low-profile lights were introduced to the market a few year ago in Japan, using Nichia LEDs. 2nd generation lights were just released late last year with further improvements. MAC started to introduce them into their lineup about an year ago, but production did move to Taiwan by then. The same 1st gen offered by MAC was recently introduced by Astro Pneumatic as well.
I really, really like my low-profile LED light that I've been using for about an year now (KTC brand). The slim design can alleviate a lot annoying issues that were typical from using the more standard drop light....namely the size of light being an obstruction to your task at hand.

This Facom one has a sleek form and **** finish to it. I echo Dave's sentiment... I do wish that it came with a translucent filter to filter the glare, along with a colour range that's more natural instead of the blue-ish colour.

 

[Farmall450]

These, low-profile lights were introduced to the market a few year ago in Japan, using Nichia LEDs. 2nd generation lights were just released late last year with further improvements. MAC started to introduce them into their lineup about an year ago, but production did move to Taiwan by then. The same 1st gen offered by MAC was recently introduced by Astro Pneumatic as well.
I really, really like my low-profile LED light that I've been using for about an year now (KTC brand). The slim design can alleviate a lot annoying issues that were typical from using the more standard drop light....namely the size of light being an obstruction to your task at hand.

This Facom one has a sleek form and **** finish to it. I echo Dave's sentiment... I do wish that it came with a translucent filter to filter the glare, along with a colour range that's more natural instead of the blue-ish colour.

Astro Pneumatic produces it's own light. Matco was the exclusive distributor of said light until Astro also began selling it under their own name.

 

[superautobacs]

Astro Pneumatic produces it's own light. Mac was the exclusive distributor of said light until Astro also began selling it under their own name.

Interesting. I often wonder what AP actually produces themselves. Are you sure that they actually produce this model of light?
Suntech Mobile in Japan introduced the Skinny Light a few years ago, and AFAIK, at the time were made in Japan, using Nichia SMD LEDs. To meet production demands, they farmed production overseas, and with the current 2nd Gen light, it's Malaysia.

 

[colin39]

Im a facom -oholic but these are too expensive as they are still not loss resistant. So ill keep spending 23.95 on the ones i use.

 

[Fedwrench]

ASTRO claims to make the thin light themselves but who knows really?

At half the price of the FACOM unit, I think you lose the durability aspect with the ASTRO thin light that FACOM offers.

That FACOM model is one great looking light.

 

[superautobacs]

ASTRO claims to make the thin light themselves but who knows really?

At half the price of the FACOM unit, I think you lose the durability aspect with the ASTRO thin light that FACOM offers.

That FACOM model is one great looking light.

Yeah, I agree....who knows these days.

Actually, the Skinny Light can also be driven over by a vehicle and has an IPX 4 rating for a level of protection from water splashes. I've seen videos of drop tests too.

 

[Farmall450]

ASTRO claims to make the thin light themselves but who knows really?

At half the price of the FACOM unit, I think you lose the durability aspect with the ASTRO thin light that FACOM offers.

That FACOM model is one great looking light.

They are quite durable due to the design and cheaper than the Facom.

Interesting. I often wonder what AP actually produces themselves. Are you sure that they actually produce this model of light?
Suntech Mobile in Japan introduced the Skinny Light a few years ago, and AFAIK, at the time were made in Japan, using Nichia SMD LEDs. To meet production demands, they farmed production overseas, and with the current 2nd Gen light, it's Malaysia.

Well, I guess I should rephrase. I believe Astro designed the light and contracts a factory in Taiwan to make it for them. However, their design in unique to them and Matco as far as the 12SL

 

[ultgar]

Im a facom -oholic but these are too expensive as they are still not loss resistant. So ill keep spending 23.95 on the ones i use.

I agree....the Facom lights are still expensive for what they are. I assume Facom has a patent on the design and engineering but I wouldn't be surprised to see rebranded ones come out in the next 12 months under the Mac or Stanley name (should be cheaper with Stanley branding).

There's a lot of inbreeding within the Stanley family....... their 725 ft lb cordless impact gun is available with both Facom and Mac branding using DeWalt batteries.

 

[CobraRed]

Interesting. I often wonder what AP actually produces themselves. Are you sure that they actually produce this model of light?
Suntech Mobile in Japan introduced the Skinny Light a few years ago, and AFAIK, at the time were made in Japan, using Nichia SMD LEDs. To meet production demands, they farmed production overseas, and with the current 2nd Gen light, it's Malaysia.

That's where Astro's are made. Malaysia, and use Japanese Nichia LED's.
They produce their own, Matco's and Cornwells.

And to say they are not as robust because they don't cost $175 would be a misnomer, I talk to Matco dealers who sell this by walking into a shop and throwing it against the ceiling while it's on then offering to drive their Matco truck over it.

 

[warmpancakes]

http://www.mobiledealer.com/Tools/Product-Categories/Lighting/Flashlights/MST1011/p/MST1011


1/2 the price. charges of the same connector as your cell phone , unless you have a apple music player that makes calls


Ive had one for over a year, great lamp real bright excellent battery life, charge time is a little slow, Brake clean fogs the lense, and its green

 

[Strouty]

1/2 the price. charges of the same connector as your cell phone , unless you have a apple music player that makes calls

My keyboard is all wet now!

 

[warmpancakes]

thats what apple calls them to get around the EU rules for "common external power supply"

 

[Strouty]

thats what apple calls them to get around the EU rules for "common external power supply"

I don't mind the lightning connector, it is actually a nice setup. I just wish people could decide on a standard and stick with it. Of course I also wish that every cordless tool had the same connection based on voltages and don't get me started on car/truck wheels.

 

[Farmall450]

Thanks

 

[ultgar]

Alright, so I talked to Chris over at Astro Pneumatic about this.

The Astro design is indeed exclusive to them; they re-badge that design under the Matco name.
It's made in Malaysia, in the same factory as the Facom, and uses the same Japanese Nichia LEDs. It's also 1/2 the price, and they do have a hook & magnet kit for it on Amazon.

Hope this helps.

The 779.SILR is being made ("assembled") in France, not Malaysia.

 

[Farmall450]

 

[theamcguy]

I like the FACOM design better.

 

[warmpancakes]

I like the FACOM design better.

theres only 5 companies in the world that produce LEDs, and all their factories are in china

 

[ultgar]

These just came out a few months ago....there are very few dealers in Europe selling these yet. The press release was mid-Jan with production beginning in Feb ........see http://www.facom.com/se/contact/media-center/Media-alert-779-SIL.html . I ordered some of the first production which just arrived in late March here in the US. Old stock????

I don't doubt that some of the components (charger, LED's, etc) might be made in the same factory as the Astro light but, at this time, the Facom light is being assembled in France.


Thx. SD

 

[superautobacs]

Originally Posted by Farmall450 View Post
Alright, so I talked to Chris over at Astro Pneumatic about this.

The Astro design is indeed exclusive to them; they re-badge that design under the Matco name.
It's made in Malaysia, in the same factory as the Facom, and uses the same Japanese Nichia LEDs. It's also 1/2 the price, and they do have a hook & magnet kit for it on Amazon.

Hope this helps.

I really wonder if the back of the Astro light shows "Skinny Light"?:

I also wonder when AP will release the "Mark ll" version (SLB12N) that's already been released in Japan since late last year? The "Mark ll" version boasts a higher 300 lumen output (50 more lumens than the first one):

 

[thatonedude]

I wonder if mac will have it

 

[superautobacs]

I wonder if mac will have it

The black one is/was MAC's version of the slim light. IIRC, also made in Malaysia. It's throws quite a bit of light, but with a bit too much glare for my liking.

As for whether Facom's design would be introduced to their sister brands like MAC....I kind of doubt it will happen, but who knows.

 

[Qualitytools]

These, low-profile lights were introduced to the market a few year ago in Japan, using Nichia LEDs. 2nd generation lights were just released late last year with further improvements. MAC started to introduce them into their lineup about an year ago, but production did move to Taiwan by then. The same 1st gen offered by MAC was recently introduced by Astro Pneumatic as well.
I really, really like my low-profile LED light that I've been using for about an year now (KTC brand). The slim design can alleviate a lot annoying issues that were typical from using the more standard drop light....namely the size of light being an obstruction to your task at hand.

This Facom one has a sleek form and **** finish to it. I echo Dave's sentiment... I do wish that it came with a translucent filter to filter the glare, along with a colour range that's more natural instead of the blue-ish colour.

It would be interesting to see the light you have by KTC, would you mind sharing?

 

[Jarhead0408]

Wow! This is awesome.

 

[superautobacs]

It would be interesting to see the light you have by KTC, would you mind sharing?

Sure.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3932312&postcount=728

I mentioned the Skinny Light being made in Japan, but that's no longer true.


Another one:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4050013&postcount=816


And this:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4698733&postcount=1082


I think it's safe to say that I like my light / these slim profile lights. The Facom design is the most sexay

 

[colin39]

Ill stick with this


£23.84 i can lose 4 of these in a year, or break one, drop one in an oil bucket, leave one as under car neon lighting and have a battery fail.
This is bright, and i mean dam bright. The best ive seen the facom is £100.80 plus vat/tax for you guys at 20%

Nah ill stick to el cheepo brighto. its just a torch lol. Now if they fit the facom one with a "ill come back if you whistle " feature then hey ho its the one for me, and im a bit of a facom addict.

 

[dede2897234]

Ill stick with this


£23.84 i can lose 4 of these in a year, or break one, drop one in an oil bucket, leave one as under car neon lighting and have a battery fail.
This is bright, and i mean dam bright. The best ive seen the facom is £100.80 plus vat/tax for you guys at 20%

Nah ill stick to el cheepo brighto. its just a torch lol. Now if they fit the facom one with a "ill come back if you whistle " feature then hey ho its the one for me, and im a bit of a facom addict.

colin39,

Can you please provide a website link where to purchase the above LED flashlight?

The LED light (especially with the center LED array element) looks intriguing!


Dave

 

[Monte]

the USAG version:

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