Flex folding lights - done with the HF / Braun

[Armatron]

Aside from them being delicate (and I am careful with my electronic tools), I don't like that the harbor frieght braun light is not toolbox friendly as it doesn't fold. It's round so doesn't do well laying flat on the ground. I just want to try something new. I saw the snap on ecard062 but gulped at the price. https://shop.snapon.com/product/Articulating/600-800-Lumen-Dual-Sided-Flex-Light-(Red)/ECARD062

Anything else in this arena? I'm generally buy once cry once, but $175 for a worklight is a big ask

 

[darkzero]

Milwaukee just announced one, not for sale yet though.

Milwaukee 550 Lumens LED REDLITHIUM USB Stick Light with Magnet and Charging Dock 2128-22 - The Home Depot

Keep yourself well protected in emergency situations with the help of this Milwaukee 1000 LED REDLITHIUM USB Stick Light with Magnet and Charging Dock

www.homedepot.com

Streamlight has a couple, Stinger Switchblade & Strion Switchblade, Strion is the smaller of the 2.

Stinger Switchblade® | Rechargeable Light Bar | Streamlight®

Strion Switchblade® | Rechargeable Light Bar | Streamlight®

Astro also has em that I hear are decent. I personally don't have experience with any of these lights though.

 

[MooseCustomMotors]

The Astro ones are a solid light. I really enjoy them and the magnetic wireless charging set up is great.

Depending on which power tool batteries you already have, they also probably make one. I like the Snap On 14.4v one a lot. Part number CTLAR761

 

[whateg01]

I'm 3d printing the housing for a bms board and switch then will attach a 12v (actually 11-36v) light to my DeWalt 20v batteries. For plug in stuff, the led lights that replace can lights are great and put out at least twice what those above put out. Just need a stand or magnetic base for them.

 

[uncwstudent]

I just got the Streamlight Strion and love it. You will really notice a difference between it and the Braun. You can get them from Zoro with a 20% off for around 50-60 bucks. I havent put it through its paces but so far I really like it.

 

[Odd-job]

Hopefully someone with the Snap On can comment if its worth it.

With these types of lights it really helps to have at least two on hand since the batteries are not swappable which was one thing the HF Braun light got right.

Have 3 Astros. Am a very satisfied customer. None of them of them fold in half like the Snap On though.

 

[kbeefy]

Astro has a folder also.

I have 3 astro 40sl and an astro 100sl, I use the 40's every day. Always have at least one charging/charged.

+1 for the strion, I have 2 of them (HL LED). They're my 'EDC' light.

 

[Odd-job]

Have the 52SL that folds to 90 degrees, but it doesn't fold in half like that snap on.

 

[javyLSU]

I'll echo the Astro 52SL comments. I have two that live on the magnetic wireless charging dock when I'm not using them. They are my favorite lights, and tough as nails.

 

[RTM]

I too have the Astro 52SL, and also bought the newer 7?SL that I gave to a co worker. Both fantastic tools, good strong magnets. but don't fold down tiny, which I don't need.

I use my 52SL as a cargo light for the truck, dunk it in the door pocket between uses.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

OP highly recommend the Snap-On light. The magnets and brightness are very good, well built. Unable to speak to other brands, IMHO you get what you pay for.

 

[sweet victory]

Hopefully someone with the Snap On can comment if its worth it.

With these types of lights it really helps to have at least two on hand since the batteries are not swappable which was one thing the HF Braun light got right.

Have 3 Astros. Am a very satisfied customer. None of them of them fold in half like the Snap On though.

I have many lights, and the ECARD062 is definitely one of the best. You'll be surprised at the different in quality; this is a stout tool made for every day use.

 

[dnschmidt]

I'll sing the praises of ASTRO here. Never had a bad experience with any of their lights.

 

[Armatron]

I have many lights, and the ECARD062 is definitely one of the best. You'll be surprised at the different in quality; this is a stout tool made for every day use.

My only real hold up is $175 for a china made flashlight

 

[Armatron]

I too have the Astro 52SL, and also bought the newer 7?SL that I gave to a co worker. Both fantastic tools, good strong magnets. but don't fold down tiny, which I don't need.

I use my 52SL as a cargo light for the truck, dunk it in the door pocket between uses.

Strong contender, but not folding is just about a dealbreaker - I dont pocket my flashlights, but want to be able to toss it in a toolbox without worrying about the lens

 

[MidnightZ21]

I used to be a manager at a place that did electrical and light customization work on cars - car audio, remote starts, tint, etc. Anyways one of the newer techs had one of those Snap On lights. I don't believe it was the folding one though.

Anyway - one day it came up missing and this kid lost his mind. Accusing the other guys of taking it and wanting me to watch the video to see who it was. He didn't have a good timeframe on when it went missing so I didn't spend much time on it.

A few weeks later one of the cars the hothead had worked on came back for a fix. Customer said something was rattling. A different tech dropped the dash and there was the light!

 

[Wrench97]

Streamlight Strion Switchblade is the longest lasting I've had, the magnet could be better and they have improved the hook on newer models, the astros have great magnets but don't last long around me.

​

 

[nerraw117]

Love my snap on folding light. I like the astro also but believe the snap on is built a little better for daily use. I have one at work and 2 at home.

 

[Htscheg]

I highly recommend the Snap On light, Ive been using it daily for over a year with no issues!! I would definately buy another!

 

[Odd-job]

Wow at least 4 members with that Snap On light. Us guys with an Astro lights must be missing out on something.

 

[nerraw117]

Wow at least 4 members with that Snap On light. Us guys with an Astro lights must be missing out on something.

I don’t think anyone was knocking or saying that the snap on is superior. I have both and do prefer the snap on due to the closing feature that I can throw in a pocket in my tool bag.

 

[Odd-job]

I don’t think anyone was knocking or saying that the snap on is superior. I have both and do prefer the snap on due to the closing feature that I can throw in a pocket in my tool bag.

I'm just expressing my jealousy as I love the limited stuff I could afford from them. Can anyone comment on where the light is made? It's definitely in the Malco flashlight $ territory at retail.

 

[KnurledNut]

Can anyone comment on where the light is made?

China.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

This light may also be useful for "just in case you hear noises at night front/back door or window". Would not want to be blinded and hit by it.

 

[Stormin1]

I highly recommend the Snap On light, Ive been using it daily for over a year with no issues!! I would definately buy another!

Which one do you have? The bigger one or smaller one?

 

[Stormin1]

I highly recommend the Snap On light, Ive been using it daily for over a year with no issues!! I would definately buy another!

Which model?

 

[lugnut71]

i own all three, the smaller was has been discontinued, and the center one is the replacement. It has a replacable battery, so you can charge it in the light or swap it out and charge on a stand alone charger. I like all three , just depends where your using it.

 

[Roert42]

Big fan of these bad boys. Hook that pulles out of the top and magnets on the back. Three brightnesses.

They run in battery’s, but you could use rechargeable AA if you want that.


Extremely tough. I left one of mine wedged in a coil spring of an escape and dropped the car and drove it around. When I got back from the test drive I noticed a light coming from the whee well.

The housing is banana shaped now, but still works fine.

 

[CJM8515]

i have both the newer and older astro lights. they are the single best i ever used

 

[Stormin1]

i own all three, the smaller was has been discontinued, and the center one is the replacement. It has a replacable battery, so you can charge it in the light or swap it out and charge on a stand alone charger. I like all three , just depends where your using it.

Which one is your favorite or most used?

 

[lugnut71]

like i said the smallest one is no more. I like the big one because you can light up the strip without unfolding it (smaller footprint) But the middle one (68) model i like because you just flip open and turn on without having to toggle thru the modes.

 

[Motorman55]

The new model HF Braun 500 luman hand held lights fold up now.

 

[lugnut71]

finally got all of them in one spot , too many boxes and no ambition to organize like i used to

 

[FSUwelder1212]

finally got all of them in one spot , too many boxes and no ambition to organize like i used to

How are those little gearwrench lights? I love my astro 52SLs but would like something smaller to complement them

 

[WWheeler]

Went through a lot of different lights including Harbor freights and earlier Astros before I finally landed on the wireless charging 52SLCs and their magnetic charging pad and won't even consider anything else that needs me to plug in a cord ever again, I don't care if they are super bright and/or free. I've been beating these up for a year now and they've been dropped countless times, melted one pretty good on an exhaust, showered in slag, .... and they just keep working better than they should.



Most of the previous lights that I went through it was the charging port or the usb cord end that got buggered up after getting dirt / grease in there. Corded lights are just not suitable for a shop environment IMHO. Never again.

Here's the 60 second short by Eric O. that first put them on my radar ...

 

[setfocus]

I've got the streamlight stinger switchblade, great light, dropped many times, finally wouldn't turn on one day. I sent it out for repair and bought the HF nonfolding Braun on sale to use in the mean time. It's cheap and flimsy, breath on the button and it turns off. Got a new switchblade back from streamlight, no cost. Haven't touched the HF since

 

[Pexto]

About a year ago i picked up some of these Coquimbo lights based on a recommendation here on GJ.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G9X19G1/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They are dirt cheap, about ten bucks each. I've been really happy with them and use them a lot. I think my only complaint would be that the magnet is a little weak. I'm sure these aren't as nice as lights that cost 5-15 times as much, but they are a great value.