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HF Braun Slim LED Worklight

Bill Bowman

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Joined
Mar 28, 2007
Messages
3,146
Location
Metro Chicago
The store I stopped into today, was out of stock, however they gave me a rain check for when they come in again. I was able to score the under hood light for $29.
 
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54chevyls1

Active member
Joined
Dec 1, 2008
Messages
42
Location
E. Tenn
After I read this thread this afternoon I printed the coupon and headed to my closest HF. I got the last light they had. After a few minutes of using it as a light saber and blinding my wife with it multiple times I have to say I'm impressed. Hopefully it will be better than the under the hood light I bought from HF a year or two ago. It quit working after about a year and I hardly even used it. The Braun light is a thumbs up so far.
 

Motown

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Joined
May 11, 2011
Messages
1,689
Location
SE Michigan
Sounds like the crew on Street Outlaws should get one of these for a starting light. They can then retire those crappy dinky flashlights they use, which barely show up on the TV screen.
 

Hooper_c4

New member
Joined
Dec 28, 2017
Messages
4
After I read this thread this afternoon I printed the coupon and headed to my closest HF. I got the last light they had. After a few minutes of using it as a light saber and blinding my wife with it multiple times I have to say I'm impressed. Hopefully it will be better than the under the hood light I bought from HF a year or two ago. It quit working after about a year and I hardly even used it. The Braun light is a thumbs up so far.
[emoji23]🤣


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dkmc

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Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
949
Location
NYS--Upstate in the corn fields
Well, I headed there this afternoon, store was fairly busy.
Went right to the isle, and there was ONE left hanging there.
It's a pretty nice light. I wish the charging was automatic, so I could
just leave it plugged into my office computer all the time and it'd be
fully charged. Still very pleased with it for $19 tho!
 

Kaervak

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Joined
May 12, 2010
Messages
826
Location
Cleveland, OH
I gave mine a good, hones twist and it didn't move. I don't think they want it coming off. Maybe a dot of loctite on the threads.



.

The first one I bought a few weeks back died about five minutes out of the package. I initially was going to tear it apart and fix it but it's sealed up pretty good. So much so that channel locks couldn't easily open it. It looked like the screw on part was glued on. They apparently really don't want people to see what's inside. :D
 

clutchee

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
330
Location
TX- Near the Telephone
Wife picked me one up yesterday....
I used in in the shop bathroom when framing and then when I put up Old barn tin. Magnet is super strong and light is really bright.
For money it’s a win with the coupon.
 

xin

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Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Messages
697
Location
ARKANSAS - NWA
This thread wouldn't be complete without the typical mindless bashing of a product he hasn't even had his hands on

I have seen the light and not impressed. Just the sheer number of failures no thanks (then taking it back - my time cost more plus wasting hours of my day).
 

kctyphoon

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Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Messages
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Jersey/Staten Island
Something tells me a LARGE AMOUNT of these lights are going to wind up being sold at flea markets, swap meets, and listed on Amazon and eBay for $45 or so.. and that's why these stores are always empty..
 

rmsg0040

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Joined
Feb 15, 2012
Messages
2,635
Location
Toronto
I am going to wait till spring to pick one up in store when I hit the US, got many lights so no rush, wait till the hype dies off
 

ER70S-2

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Joined
Jan 2, 2015
Messages
798
I have seen the light and not impressed. Just the sheer number of failures no thanks (then taking it back - my time cost more plus wasting hours of my day).

I thought that, too, but bought one anyway. Glad I changed my mind. This stupid, cheap little thing is killer.:rocker:
 

fordgasm

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Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
353
Location
Huntington Beach, Ca
I ended up using the LED light for the first time tonight, damn headlight went out on my wifes SUV and decided to make a run to the store at night to pick up a new bulb because if I didn't the store would be closed on the 1st. Stuck the light to the underside of the hood and it worked great for the 45 seconds it took me to replace the bulb. Oddly enough I was on my way to Harbor Freight to buy a 2nd light since I liked it so much but got there at 5:20PM and they closed at 5:00, DOH! Its seriously one of the greatest things they sell.
 

kythri

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Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
6,330
Location
Lebanon, OR
I have seen the light and not impressed. Just the sheer number of failures no thanks (then taking it back - my time cost more plus wasting hours of my day).

And what "sheer number of failures" would that be?
 

firworks

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Joined
Jun 29, 2015
Messages
4,079
Location
IL
I ended up using the LED light for the first time tonight, damn headlight went out on my wifes SUV and decided to make a run to the store at night to pick up a new bulb because if I didn't the store would be closed on the 1st. Stuck the light to the underside of the hood and it worked great for the 45 seconds it took me to replace the bulb. Oddly enough I was on my way to Harbor Freight to buy a 2nd light since I liked it so much but got there at 5:20PM and they closed at 5:00, DOH! Its seriously one of the greatest things they sell.

Ha I really thought you were going to say you magnetted it to the hood and used it as a headlight!
 

Fedwrench

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2007
Messages
14,951
Location
Valley of the sun
I have seen the light and not impressed. Just the sheer number of failures no thanks (then taking it back - my time cost more plus wasting hours of my day).

I'm not sure what sheer number of failures you're referencing but, since it's a fairly new product, there might be some in the future :dunno:

The harbor freight light does lack a hook but, i can work around that. I usually don't buy much if anything from harbor freight but, i'm liking this light.

NAPA has launched some new Carlyle branded cordless/rechargeable lights that aren't as cheap as the Harbor Freight version but, might meet your needs better. The lights are in the new 1st quarter Real Deals Flyer.
Gearwrench also has a couple of new foldable wand lights out too.

Hope you find a light that meets your needs....
 
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Jimithing616

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Joined
Nov 21, 2017
Messages
115
Location
Minnesota
The only thing I wonder about is how long replacement batteries will be available but for 20 bucks maybe you just buy another light?

As earlier poster mentioned, they use 18650, which is used by almost every tactical flashlight in its native format (as a single or dual 18650) and every power tool and laptop battery back (assembled in series or parallel inside the battery pack and easily harvested)

So, batteries will likely never be a concern.
 

Snakebyt

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Sep 2, 2014
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1,075
Location
Lubbock Tx
didnt realise they were 18650 batteries, i have several of those around , does anyone know how many MAH the stock battery is?
 

ChrisLS8

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Joined
Jan 16, 2015
Messages
1,964
And what "sheer number of failures" would that be?

Obviously every person who had one fail reports it directly to his excel spreadsheet on Google docs.

I've read of one failure so far in the 5-6 threads about this light plus the thousands that have sold outside the view of this forum. If you read his posts regarding anything HF you can see his stance regardless how well the item is built

I'm using Pittsburgh ratchets and sockets to do a dual clutch on a cargo 7000 as we speak, I hope my knuckles don't get busted
 

Mr_B

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Nov 21, 2016
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5,374
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Reading
didnt realise they were 18650 batteries, i have several of those around , does anyone know how many MAH the stock battery is?
2200 but likely less in reality .
I use samsung 30Q series in mine . 2 of them do me all day in the auto shop .
 

firworks

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IL
didnt realise they were 18650 batteries, i have several of those around , does anyone know how many MAH the stock battery is?

2200 but likely less in reality .
I use samsung 30Q series in mine . 2 of them do me all day in the auto shop .

I posted this earlier in the thread but I tested mine and it came in better than labeled on my battery charger/discharger:
View media item 78242
The Braun light cuts out a little lower than 3.2V as well so it gets even a little bit more out of it.
 

unslow1

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Mar 3, 2012
Messages
7,879
Location
Illinois
Obviously every person who had one fail reports it directly to his excel spreadsheet on Google docs.

I've read of one failure so far in the 5-6 threads about this light plus the thousands that have sold outside the view of this forum. If you read his posts regarding anything HF you can see his stance regardless how well the item is built

I'm using Pittsburgh ratchets and sockets to do a dual clutch on a cargo 7000 as we speak, I hope my knuckles don't get busted

I had one fail at the switch right out of the package. Still I thought it was such a great deal I swapped that one and bought another.
 

ChrisLS8

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Jan 16, 2015
Messages
1,964
I believe you mentioned that early in the thread lol. As time goes on there will naturally be more as that is bound to happen to any mass produced part.

I wonder if this EXACT light said Sabre on it how the reaction would be
 

Greeny

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Joined
Feb 25, 2013
Messages
572
Location
Shreveport, LA
I've had one for a bit over a week now. Great direction, the magnet in conjunction with the joint works great for getting light into tight spots, hands free, without blinding me. The battery is also still going strong on the package charge, although my use has been short and intermittent. Kids are home for the holidays and cars need to be checked out, and it's dark by the time I have time to look them over. I've probably ran the light for 90 minutes total over the past 10 days.
I'd get a 2nd one in a heartbeat. Thinking about getting a couple for gifts.
 

Mr_B

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Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
5,374
Location
Reading
I'm running 2 of them daily and do about 6hrs on time a day roughly. over a months use and a few drops and still fine .
Really like them and the price, if one breaks, gets driven over or goes missing for 20bucks it no big deal, spend 50 to 60 bucks and it gets annoying lol .
second plus is I like the design, only thing change to improve function in use would be hanging hook (easily added yourself though) and variable dimming rather than just 2 output levels .
Enjoy using them and really like simple cell replacement so offboard charging possible .
I spent 60 bucks and got 2 light in daily use and one in spares cupboard, would only get 1 branded for that cost normally .
 

kctyphoon

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Jun 9, 2014
Messages
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Jersey/Staten Island
I posted this earlier in the thread but I tested mine and it came in better than labeled on my battery charger/discharger:
View media item 78242
The Braun light cuts out a little lower than 3.2V as well so it gets even a little bit more out of it.

Question - can you test any 18650 battery cell with that? Would it work testing an aftermarket m12 battery "pack" ? I'm curious about getting the Powerextra m12 packs tested to see what they ACTUALLY come back as compared to their rating.
 

firworks

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Jun 29, 2015
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4,079
Location
IL
Yep you can test any 18650 cell with it or really any rechargeable cell. It has settings for different chemistries (NIMH, LiFE, LiIon, LIPo). You do have to keep in mind though that the capacity you get is going to depend on the cutout voltage you are willing to go down to. Some LiIon stuff cuts out at 3.2V, some at 3V, I believe you can technically go down to 2.5V before you start damaging the cell and the lower you go you'll eek out a bit more capacity. That reading I got should be about accurate for the use case of the Braun light as I took the discharged battery and put it in the Braun LED light and it ran for a few more minutes before it shut off, so it probably uses a cutoff voltage of 3.1 or 3V.
 

Chromdome35

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Joined
Apr 22, 2013
Messages
194
I picked up one, showed it to the wife and she said she wanted one for her craft room. So I went back and bought two more.

I have a good 18650 Charger and 8 high-quality batteries that I bought to use with my various flashlights. I won't rely on the in light charging circuit.
 

Hooper_c4

New member
Joined
Dec 28, 2017
Messages
4
Dang this thread is blowing up my phone. Looks like I need to go purchase one of these

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ericb445

Active member
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Jul 29, 2016
Messages
38
Bought my second one today. It will stay in the house. They are such a handy light to have around.
I'll most likely pick up a third one soon lol
 

kctyphoon

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Jun 9, 2014
Messages
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Jersey/Staten Island
Yep you can test any 18650 cell with it or really any rechargeable cell. It has settings for different chemistries (NIMH, LiFE, LiIon, LIPo). You do have to keep in mind though that the capacity you get is going to depend on the cutout voltage you are willing to go down to. Some LiIon stuff cuts out at 3.2V, some at 3V, I believe you can technically go down to 2.5V before you start damaging the cell and the lower you go you'll eek out a bit more capacity. That reading I got should be about accurate for the use case of the Braun light as I took the discharged battery and put it in the Braun LED light and it ran for a few more minutes before it shut off, so it probably uses a cutoff voltage of 3.1 or 3V.

Do you have any m12 stuff? If I bought you a new m12 Powerextra battery would you wanna test it? Obviously you keep the battery...
 
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