HF Braun Slim LED Worklight

[Chromdome35]

I put the 18650 batteries that came with both my lights in a battery analyzer that displays the mAH for the batteries. I was surprised they both tested out at close to 2300mAH.

I would recommend that you use an aftermarket battery charger to charge the batteries and not rely on the built-in charging circuit. There are some decent low cost 18650 chargers available on Amazon.

 

[jonshonda]

I just noticed there is a coupon for $19.99

 

[aka Larry]

None of my local stores seem to be able to keep it in stock. I was looking forward to picking it up. Bummer....

Same with mine, but I asked and the guy found me one in the back.

Love mine!

 

[kctyphoon]

If nobody noticed - HF has a new CORDED led light under the Braun name for $19 too....

 

[rlitman]

If nobody noticed - HF has a new CORDED led light under the Braun name for $19 too....

450 lumens with the bulk of a drop light, doesn't make sense to me (that slim cordless works, because while it's only 390 lumens, it fits into places that a drop light wont). 450 lumens is like a 60W bulb (yeah, 60 W bulbs are nominally 800 lumens, but don't have a directional beam). That's a bit weak for my taste for a drop light, as I'm used to them with 75W bulbs.

Lately, I've swapped all of the bulbs in my drop lights with 17W 1600 lumen LED bulbs. I'm so glad I never went fluorescent with my arm burners.

 

[Shane6377]

I’ve had my cordless Braun light for about 5 months. So far so good. I love it. It gets used a little bit almost everyday. I’ve dropped it a couple of times from 4-5 feet up and it survived. I’m skeptical that the rechargeable batteries will last but those can be replaced easily.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[66HertzClone]

I have been trying to get one of these for a couple of months to no avail. I called yesterday to see if any were available at the Green Brook NJ location that is near my office. The woman I was talking with told me these were on recall, has anybody else heard this?

 

[Mr_B]

I put the 18650 batteries that came with both my lights in a battery analyzer that displays the mAH for the batteries. I was surprised they both tested out at close to 2300mAH.

I would recommend that you use an aftermarket battery charger to charge the batteries and not rely on the built-in charging circuit. There are some decent low cost 18650 chargers available on Amazon.

Your the second person that tested these over the 2200mah rating, was surprised at this as expected 2000mah at best really, chinesium batteries are getting better ...
Pretty good lights, I got 3, 2 in use and one stocked as spare, I picked up a 2 bay universal charger and couple samsung 30Q 18650's and been running these lights daily for almost 4 months .
Not one issue yet and been dropped few times, I use 2 at a time under hood at times, for 20bucks can't go wrong, made a hook for mine too that sticks on the magnet via a large washer whih can be handy .
If these 3 last me 12 to 18months I'm doing fine as killed an astro in 11months use and they would run me 100bucks for 2 plus can't pull batteries to charge externally :-/
Braun doing me fine but do expect unit QC and switch quality to be the downfall .

 

[jdcompman]

I have been trying to get one of these for a couple of months to no avail. I called yesterday to see if any were available at the Green Brook NJ location that is near my office. The woman I was talking with told me these were on recall, has anybody else heard this?

Doesn't appear to be the case.

https://www.harborfreight.com/customer-service-product-support.html#5

 

[M_George]

I went to the store near me yesterday and they were out of them. They told me that HF was only sending them one case of twelve at a time and were usually sold out within a couple of hours.

 

[kythri]

Albany, OR store had one more on the shelf yesterday, after I was able to snag a couple more of them, if anyone is local.

 

[geo_08]

I may have to try these, my local HF has a ton in stock. I did pick up the braun under hood (and for me under car light and it works well). Is anybody having issues with the pivot getting droopy?

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I put the 18650 batteries that came with both my lights in a battery analyzer that displays the mAH for the batteries. I was surprised they both tested out at close to 2300mAH.

I would recommend that you use an aftermarket battery charger to charge the batteries and not rely on the built-in charging circuit. There are some decent low cost 18650 chargers available on Amazon.

Agreed. I use 18650 in my EDC Olight flashlight, headlamp, and a myriad of other stuff.

I'm at my desk daily so I have my charger right there that always has two batteries in rotation. Everything I have is always fully charged. The charger and Good batteries are cheap on Amazon. And just a word to the wise, buy from a trusted source. If you buy from Amazon make sure the actual seller is Amazon and not a third party. Too many counterfeits floating around out there.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I may have to try these, my local HF has a ton in stock. I did pick up the braun under hood (and for me under car light and it works well). Is anybody having issues with the pivot getting droopy?

The pivot on mine is still quite tight. These are a great light for the price. I've been using mine constantly for BBQ'ing, boat work, and miscellaneous shop work. The only problem I've run into is my boats all Aluminum and Fiberglass so its hard to find a place to magnet it to

I also grabbed one of the underhood lights. Quality as well. I have it hanging on the shelf above my work bench right now and it provides ample overhead light for working.

 

[aka Larry]

The pivot on mine is tight and it's very helpful that the head pivots 180 degrees. I really like mine, and I'll probably get another to give as a gift to my buddy.

 

[Snakebyt]

Still use mine on a daily basis, have dropped it several times and still going good, If the battery dies i just throw in another battery and im good to go

 

[RS191]

My closest HF store was sold out of these last week. The guy stocking shelves said they did not get any in their last shipment. The store manager called the next closest store and they did not have any either.
I just ordered them from the Harbor Freight site. If you search on "Braun Folding" it will find item 63958 for you, but at the $29.99 price.
You CAN get this for the coupon price of $19.99. Click on "SEE WHAT'S NEW" on the page header and scroll down. Click on the coupon for this light and it links you to the item page, with the coupon price already active.
The coupon EXPIRES today, 3/31/2018.

 

[WWheeler]

I've a couple of what I assume are Astro Pneumatic 40SL knockoffs ("COB LED Slim Work Light") that I picked up for ~$11 ea 6mo or so ago from a US seller on ebay and though they don't scream 'quality' so far I really like them. I've been using one at home and one at work and they both still do what they are supposed to. They have a swivel magnetic base and built-in USB charger. I don't think the battery is replaceable though.

Anywho, next time I'm HF if they have any of these Braun lights I'll probably pick one up.

 

[CoogarXR]

I just used mine for a couple hours yesterday. It was great! I pulled my work van in to fix a bunch of stuff that's been annoying me for years:

I pulled the cluster to see why the dash lights don't work. I had the HF lamp stuck to the door jamb most of the time, or in the "L" shape resting in the duct work.

I also took the door apart to find a rattle- I had the HF light stuck to the top of the door facing down while I got the interior panel off, then stuck inside the door while I fixed the rattle.

I fixed another rattle in the head liner. I had the HF lamp sandwiched between the armrest and seat, facing up.

Great light. I literally love it. By the way, it's still running on the initial charge.

 

[ex-x-fire]

I was at HF today looking for the Icon Torque wrenches (nowhere to be found?), there was a guy with his son looking at lights, I said "check out that one" pointing at the Braun. "Its an awesome light for 20 bucks." Awhile later I see him in the check out line with it, it was the last one on the shelf. A couple guys a work want one, the store is always sold out of them. I told them to go early to get one.

 

[thebeerbaron]

I haven't been able to catch any at my local store, so after a couple fruitless trips and phone calls, I decided to just order online and wait. This was maybe a month ago. I called last week and they said it was backordered (not surprisingly) and that it'd ship on July 29th. Yes, July.

I cannot fathom why they'd continue to stock (some) stores while people are waiting on backorder. You'd think they'd at least earmark part of their supply towards fulfilling backorders...

 

[MrGiggles]

I bought one.

Had it sitting on a 5 gallon bucket a little to close to my lift arms, accidentally set the vehicle down on the bucket. Crushed the bucket lid, but the light still works fine and is no worse for wear.

I also grabbed the Braun under hood light, but I haven't used it yet. Feels good though.

 

[thesilverone]

I cannot fathom why they'd continue to stock (some) stores while people are waiting on backorder. You'd think they'd at least earmark part of their supply towards fulfilling backorders...

because they already have your money from the online order vs they don't have your money until you cash out in the store

 

[WastedAgain440]

Had the slim Braun light for just about 3 months and the switch started giving me problems. Sometimes it wouldn't turn on, when it did I couldn't shut it off or switch functions. Luckily I was still within the 90 day warranty, returned it today. My store hasn't had any since January when I bought mine. Was a decent light when it worked.
I'll prolly give one of the 40sl knockoffs on eBay a try, since the manager at my store said they have no idea when they will get more instock.

 

[gregpack]

I like the form factor, but mine quickly started acting wonky. No replacements on shelf. Anyoneknow what HF does in a return situation like that?

Holy cow, I haven't seen the lights built like the 40sl on ebay for ~$10. I may have to give one of those a try.

 

[Mr_B]

HF will refund you or give you credit note for when stock available .
The chinese 40sl copy okay for home user scenario but not as good as the braun for durability plus battery soldered in and casing screwed together, they low quality plastic moulding and won't last long being dropped .
I been using the braun (x2) daily in my auto shop and they been faultless so far.
switch and bending joint looks be pontential trouble spots, switch luck of drawer/qc issue probably.
Due to high demand I can see a lot of current ones being below average as factories race to complete orders and source components from any source that can meet supply quantities .

 

[kythri]

HF will refund you or give you credit note for when stock available .

Slightly off-topic: Your profile says you're in the UK. Are there HF stores there, or are you mail-ordering?

 

[pelletman]

$30 bucks now

 

[kythri]

$30 bucks now

http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/BRAUN+390+LUMEN+SLIM+BAR+FOLDING+LED+WORKLIGHT

$19.99, good until 04/30/2018.

I have a feeling this light will be perpetually on coupon.

 

[Mr_B]

Slightly off-topic: Your profile says you're in the UK. Are there HF stores there, or are you mail-ordering?

I dual national, UK and US .

 

[Theruse]

I went to three different HF over the weekend and all were out of both the Braun light and the side drawer cabinets for my 44" US General tool chest. Wound up using my 25% off coupon on a $2.99 air coupler.

 

[kctyphoon]

I've only seen them in stock ONCE... and I exchanged one, and bought another.

 

[D45]

The two I bought have performed and worked flawlessly

Like others have said, I use mine daily.......and make sure not to charge them until they are completely dead

 

[Mr_B]

I swap cells out and charge on universal cell charger mostly .
Mine been faultless so far, general faulty switches or change in component suppliers could create issues and as a big sale item it likely pushed manufacture hard so QC and component sourcing could be an issue in the more current stock .

 

[RS191]

http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/BRAUN+390+LUMEN+SLIM+BAR+FOLDING+LED+WORKLIGHT

$19.99, good until 04/30/2018.

I have a feeling this light will be perpetually on coupon.

And it may be on perpetual backorder, too!
No lights in the nearby stores and an email arrived today saying my online order from last week is backordered.

 

[kythri]

I'm sure they'll resolve stocking issues eventually. Reports here seem to jive with what my local store has said - they're regularly getting a supply in, though it's limited, and it's being pretty quickly purchased up.

It seems like HF simply didn't predict exactly how popular this product was going to be, and a larger resupply probably takes a while.

 

[M_George]

Finally... I got one. Went to HF today and they had two on the shelf and I had a rain check!!! Took it to the counter with a few odds and ends and the manager had to enter the discounted price. Checked the receipt when I got home and they took the 20% coupon off of the light so I got it for $15.

 

[RS191]

I ordered the light online. A few days later an email arrived saying it was backordered.
Calling the HF customer service number just gave me an automated response saying "YOUR ORDER IS COMPLETE."
I called customer service to ask when it would be shipped. The woman said this light is backordered until July 9, 2018. An order place on March 31, not shipping until at least July 9 - and they report the status as "your order is complete"?

On another forum site, somebody posted they had ordered this light online in January 2018. When they called, they were also told it was not available until July 9, 2018.

Anybody else think the continued advertising, with coupons, of something they don't have, is probably breaking a few state-level consumer protection laws? Lots of people going into their stores for this great product, with maybe a 1%-5% success rate of finding it?
How can I keep getting all the HF email ads, but they can't issue advisories that certain advertised items hardly exist? A January order not being fulfilled until July, while some products are still going into stores as a tease, isn't a decent treatment for the customers.

 

[kythri]

Anybody else think the continued advertising, with coupons, of something they don't have, is probably breaking a few state-level consumer protection laws? Lots of people going into their stores for this great product, with maybe a 1%-5% success rate of finding it?

You can't possibly be serious?

How can I keep getting all the HF email ads, but they can't issue advisories that certain advertised items hardly exist? A January order not being fulfilled until July, while some products are still going into stores as a tease, isn't a decent treatment for the customers.

Scuttlebutt is the stores are continuing to receive these, but in small quantities, that sell out quickly.

 

[firworks]

Anybody else think the continued advertising, with coupons, of something they don't have, is probably breaking a few state-level consumer protection laws? Lots of people going into their stores for this great product, with maybe a 1%-5% success rate of finding it?
How can I keep getting all the HF email ads, but they can't issue advisories that certain advertised items hardly exist? A January order not being fulfilled until July, while some products are still going into stores as a tease, isn't a decent treatment for the customers.

Sounds like the classic newspaper ad for a "1994 Dodge Dakota Sport for 7,999$! She's a Beaut'! Drive home today!". Get to the dealership and they say "Ouch she JUST rolled off the lot with another happy customer about 10 minutes before you got here. But we've got another one that's practically the same over here. It's 12,999$."

I think HF is just having stock issues because that light is such an unexpected hit. Nothing nefarious.