Harbor Freights Under Hood LED Work Light

[Onefastgsx]

Just curious if anyone had tried Harbor Freights 120 LED work light? Im in the market for a light for working under the hood and this one seems like a decent light for the sale price of $34.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/120-led-rechargeable-under-hood-work-light-60793.html

If not this one, what would you guys recommend for a reasonably priced under hood light would be? Im not a professional mechanic so I really do not need something as fancy and expensive as truck brand lights.

Thanks
Craig

 

[mroneeyedboh]

With LEDs its easy to think they are all the same. It all depends on the quality of LED used. I think I seen something posted about this light not having enough flood, and some one used Glad press-n-seal as a diffuser on the lens and it helped...

 

[mattamd_xp]

I've had that for about 6 months and it works great for the price. Throw a 25% off coupon on top of that and you get a very cheap light. I also take it camping and put it up under our canopy for a nice widespread light that is up away from where you are so the bugs have someplace else to be attracted to.
It definitely isn't the brightest or best under hood light, but it works pretty well for the price.

 

[woodstockva]

Watch my review on the Stubby II LED light, and you will see the difference between a quality LED & the el-cheapo variety. I would save my money & buy something that will last, and will put out clean light....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4Xrv-Xxa_3g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[CobraRed]

^ that looks legit for a flood light.

For a smaller thin yet bright indestructible light using nichia LED's look for the Cornwell AS12SL or Astro 12SL - uses a 2400mAh rechargeable battery.

I think they're coming out for about $40-50

 

[bcradio]

You may get a year or 2 out of those batteries. If you're happy buying again at that time, then go for it.

Otherwise get corded or much better quality cordless. Corded being my preference by far.

 

[Farmall450]

I've heard plenty of good things about them for the price.

 

[CobraRed]

You may get a year or 2 out of those batteries. If you're happy buying again at that time, then go for it.

Otherwise get corded or much better quality cordless. Corded being my preference by far.

True, if you use it up and recharge it 500 times in a year or two.
For flood lights I like corded, for a smaller bright slim light I prefer cordless for getting around in the engine bay and interior.

 

[mybuick6]

the l.e.d. is good but the battery dont last long at all.

 

[Bigplum]

Is it sealed ? Otherwise just dig the battery pack out and stuff a new one in when it fails

 

[txz28]

Otherwise get corded or much better quality cordless. Corded being my preference by far.

I also much prefer corded. I would be in if they offer a corded version.

 

[thefoobag]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0053GW9QE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

save your cash and go with a GOOD headlamp, best investment i have ever made. after i bought the first one i bought 3 more. Amazing for any under hood work (including pulling transmissions) and since I've moved to working on tractors it has shown to be one of the best decisions in my life lol. rechargeable is an extra bonus an no shadows from having the wrong angle with the led lightbar. it shines where ever you're looking (i know i wouldnt have guessed it either)

 

[stratman977]

I did a comparison a while back.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=222898&highlight=atd+saber&page=2

I had so much distaste for the HF light it went out with the trash a few months back. It fell off the hood and hit me in the head one too many times.

 

[Dal Bone]

Resurrecting an old thread.

Anyone have a good recommendation for budget under hood work light? Preferably corded.

What you guys using?

 

[gdocktor3]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324965
ATD still gets a lot of good reviews.

I currently have two of these fluorescent saf t lites. The only down side is the big box attached to the cord, but were cheap and they still work. Actually I have one over my work bench at work and it's been on 24/7 365 for over two years now on original bulb. They were top of the line at one point lol.
https://www.americanproducers.com/i...ruction.Supplies,Lighting.Electrical.Products

I'd like to know more about this guy from Eastwood. http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-professional-folding-led-light.html

 

[Lyptix]

I also have been looking for a quality work light....
Looks like I am sold on a Stubby 2! Thanks woodstock va for the review.
Now to find one from some one who takes paypuke...

 

[kctyphoon]

Check out the Capri tools LED light.. It's better than the HF light ( I have both) and a lot more useful. It bright enough for a whole engine bay

 

[DemoFly]

Headlamp > All

 

[Ditchdigger]

I have been using the HF work light for 2 years now. It isn't the best but it isn't terrible. About 3hrs of light on the low setting. Charges in about an hour. The light is pretty focused so it won't light up a large area but I just point it where it needs to be.

It took me a year before I realized the end caps screw off and are tethered with cord. I stick them to the rails on the four post lift or use only one to attach it to the two post upright for charging. When it dies I will probably buy another. For that price I couldn't get a pen light off the snapon truck

I am at the point where I refuse to buy another light that isn't rechargeable.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

I use one from Walmart works really well. $20

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bayco-18-Watt-Fluorescent-Work-Light/14003464

 

[kblee27]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0053GW9QE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

save your cash and go with a GOOD headlamp, best investment i have ever made. after i bought the first one i bought 3 more. Amazing for any under hood work (including pulling transmissions) and since I've moved to working on tractors it has shown to be one of the best decisions in my life lol. rechargeable is an extra bonus an no shadows from having the wrong angle with the led lightbar. it shines where ever you're looking (i know i wouldnt have guessed it either)

I use headlamps a lot, but the strap is always the first thing to go.
Then I'm left with a useless headlamp.

And it's hard to find a strap that doesn't cost half as much as a new headlamp.

 

[flat tire]

I have had the 4' H F light for 3 years now with no issues.

 

[gdocktor3]

I think a headlamp and some sort of under hood light go hand in hand. I use both, as well as a Nebo Big Larry. That thing is bright and I like the magnetic base. I also have a Defiant flexible flash light I bought from Home Depot a long time ago. It has magnetic base and can be bent in such a way to hang if needed. I know I paid more, but it's only $4.80 now and might be worth picking one up. It has like 5 different modes and can be used as a desk light type deal. Check it out. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-Cree-AA-250-Lumen-Flexible-Flashlight-99333/205937841

 

[crucible]

I have the HF. It works, but as already spoken to, the LED's are fairly blue and artificial and don't light up as much as I thought it would when I purchased it (even hung under a raised hood, there's lots one simply can't see with it as the only light source).

The batteries last about an hour or so on high....give or take.

Good idea, but modest execution. I'll keep mine I guess, maybe finding alternative uses such as a tent light like someone else mentioned-I grab my corded lights for real work rather than this.

 

[winlinmac]

Hopefully the Snap On under the hood light comes back on sale soon

 

[koliny]

LED lights are really great upgrade. I have an L200 pickup, and I recently got and LED lightbar from Ledoutfitters store here for it which is used for offroad driving. It is as light as during the daytime when I use them. So, I'd recommend to convert your lights to LEDs

 

[maxpower_hd]

I still have an old Safety Lite corded fluorescent in my home shop and it works pretty well but isn't as bright as the LED's. Apparently there is a kit to convert it to the LED according to their web site but I haven't been able to find anywhere to actually buy the kit.

I have this cordless Astro I just started using after I ran over my $100+ Snap On LED which I do like very much as well but it is pricey. This one was about $62 shipped when I bought it. Here is a link. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018R0XQPA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It stays well charged for a few hours on high and the dial makes it so you can dial it down and use less charge if you don't need it. I especially like the magnet. It is very strong and stay pointing where you want it. I can't speak to longevity just yet. I have only used it twice at work so far but it works well and the charge lasts long enough if you are frugal with it and shut it off when not using it instead of just leaving it on all the time.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Update: It's been a few weeks and this light has been throwing off inconsistent light. It blinks fresh off a charge and gets brighter when attaching it to a metal surface with the magnet. LIke is has a loose connection in it. I sent an email to the place of purchase to see what they recommend. I hope it is an isolated incident because I really like the light.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Update: It's been a few weeks and this light has been throwing off inconsistent light. It blinks fresh off a charge and gets brighter when attaching it to a metal surface with the magnet. LIke is has a loose connection in it. I sent an email to the place of purchase to see what they recommend. I hope it is an isolated incident because I really like the light.

No need to email, we're GJ fans so on here often.

Think we reached out to you after we saw the review.

There's a hex nut under the dial. Wiggle the dial cap off and try tightening that. If that doesn't solve the inconsistency, worst case scenario we send you a new light.



__________
Chris
Product Manager

 

[maxpower_hd]

Another update: I was planning on exchanging this light but was told there was a back order through the on line store in Amazon. So I decided to take it apart to see if I could find the issue assuming it was going to be a bad wire or broken solder joint. It turned out to be a small plug on the little circuit board just wasn't plugged in quite all the way. Now it is brighter than ever and works great! No complaints at all now. It's an awesome light.

Thanks

 

[a52-830]

i bought one, it doesn't throw off as much light as i would have thought. i have found that the small led lights on amazon, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019CSICLY/?tag=atomicindus08-20 throw off a lot more light, and have reasonable spread so that i dont need to constantly move it.

just dont rely on the magnets attached to it. they are pretty lame.

 

[maxpower_hd]

The magnet is the part I like most about this light for working under tractor trailers. There are plenty of places for the magnet but not a lot of places for a hook. It isn't as bright as my Snap On light but it is more useful for me.

And as another update, the Amazon vendor I bought it through was extremely helpful and even refunded me $20 for my trouble. I would enjoy a brighter version myself but this one is still brighter than others I have used.

Thank you Chris for the interest. All in all this is a good work light, and I have gone through quite a few partly due to what I do and partly because some of them have sucked so bad. I actually ended up smashing a few on the ground because they simply pissed me off so bad that they were useless to me. I know..... But this one works really well for me and other than the loose connection which turned out to really be no big deal it has been a great light.

Is there a mailing list or something so I know if a new brighter version comes out?

 

[crbnfbr]

This is the model I settled on: http://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Superbright-120-LED-Rechargeable-Light/dp/B00NNOD3M2
It's really bright, but I haven't had a chance to test the battery life. I already ordered a couple 3200mAh 18650 batteries to replace the 2200mAh stock ones.

 

[a52-830]

i have one. it is pretty good for general under car lighting. i find that keeping something like a flashlight handy is still needed, since the hf light is so large that sometimes it is painful getting it where you need it. i bought one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016U0F2A6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

that works really well. not too big, so it is easy to prop in various places. if you decide to get one of these flashlights, note that the various colors vary in price.

so, i like the hf led work light, it seems like a reasonable value, and works well. i will note that the magnets in the end caps are not exceptionally strong. if there is thick undercoating, or a lot of surface rust, they won't hold.

remember, a 20% off coupon sets the price at 32.00 (regularly 39.99), which is less than the current "coupon" price. i notice that hf does that a lot. the put things on sale at 17% off, hoping you won't notice (or care, i suppose)

 

[gahrajmahal]

Speaking of head lights, I never liked the thought of all of those straps, that it would slide around. I often have other things on my head when I am working. Prescription glasses, 3M respirator and dead phones with radio. No more cranial space for a head lamp. Then while checking out at Lowes, I saw a ball cap with LED lights under the brim. It takes 4 button batteries and has a spring push button in the brim for quick off/on to save power. I bought one for a basement job I was doing and boy, was it ever great! I have given several as gifts. If you did not know the lights were there, it would look like a regular ball cap. Although, I did get a lot of strange looks the one day I went back to lowes with the lights still on. The batteries were low, but enough to light up.


http://www.panthervision.com/powercap.html