HF Braun Slim LED Worklight

[RS191]

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.

I agree. They might be the victim of their own success. Great Braun light, improved quality many on other products and a lot of new stores opening.

The "nothing nefarious" proof will be when they comply with laws regarding bait-and-switch.

 

[kythri]

What exactly are they bait-and-switching?

They're advertising something that is rapidly selling out. They're not pulling any bait-and-switch on anyone.

 

[maydaymike]

They had 4 or 5 of them in my local store on Saturday.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[M_George]

They had three of them at the store near me as well. If you can find one at the store, just get it and cancel the on-line order.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

must be a regional thing, my local store had at least 5 last week.

 

[kctyphoon]

Love this light - came in real handy yesterday cause it's thin enough to fit inside a vacuum hose and has the light on the tip.. if nothing else the magnet is great for storage..

 

[Wamsutta]

How much of an advantage is it having the ability to bend to a 90 ?

I'm comparing the Braun to the Astro.

 

[rlitman]

How much of an advantage is it having the ability to bend to a 90 ?

I'm comparing the Braun to the Astro.

For me, quite a bit. I store it straight, but use it bent more than half the time.

 

[Mr_B]

I have the astro and while it real nice and durable I found lot of times couldn't get main lighting right where wanted it as couldn't tilt it enough.
2 plus points with braun for me is the bend ability and easy remove battery which means in daily use you can have 2 spare 18650 cells and rotate on external cell charger.
Didn't think small flash light in tip be overly usefull but used it more than first thought.
I using 2 of these daily in auto shop and loving them. 20bucks a pop sweat too. you loose or drive over a astro and it hurts, also need 3 to rotate on charge for busy pro, I had 2 and it wasn't enough .
infinite thumb wheel on the astro way better though, If braun concept guys had a brain they would of mixed the thumb wheel and a hook from the 40sl and grafted it into the 315L they decided clone for the braun and actually made a better product in process and been less of a direct copy infringement and shown some engineering gumption ...

 

[RS191]

What exactly are they bait-and-switching?

They're advertising something that is rapidly selling out. They're not pulling any bait-and-switch on anyone.

You are right. Not the classic bait-and-switch, since no salesman is saying "The advertised car was sold, but we have this other one for just a little more."

Finding a well-known company willing to let customers sit from January to July with an open order, without notifying them of a six month wait, while still issuing "Your order is complete" messages, could just be a set of good business practices. But I expect those methods from low-rated sellers on eBay and Amazon, not Harbor Freight. HF is opening more stores and improving their products. I hope they improve their customer support procedures, too.

Here is a piece of one state's consumer fraud statement:
"Acts or practices that may be deceptive include: making misleading cost or price claims; offering to provide a product or service that is not in fact available; using bait-and-switch techniques; omitting material limitations or conditions from an offer; or failing to provide the promised services."

The handful of lights reaching stores kills any argument that the product is not available. They are legally covered. And the thousands of store visits by people looking for this light will increase their sales.

I won't post anything else in this thread until I can give a review of the light!
My only intention was to let people know what HF won't - this good product will likely be scarce until July.

 

[kythri]

My only intention was to let people know what HF won't - this good product will likely be scarce until July.

Didn't you find that information out from HF, after they notified you the product was backordered?

I'm not playing apologist for their half-assed communication, but you're slightly misrepresenting things.

 

[Bagherra]

Every HF store I've gone into in my area in the past couple of months has had at least 3 on the shelf... I've bought 4 already....

Trying to think of a reason to get another one....

 

[yjWrangler]

They've been out at two local HF stores

 

[Mr_B]

Every HF store I've gone into in my area in the past couple of months has had at least 3 on the shelf... I've bought 4 already....

Trying to think of a reason to get another one....

Get another and ship it to RS191 ...

 

[danyo492]

Looks like I'll have to get one of these. Wonder if my store in Marietta has them in stock...

 

[kctyphoon]

You are right. Not the classic bait-and-switch, since no salesman is saying "The advertised car was sold, but we have this other one for just a little more."

Finding a well-known company willing to let customers sit from January to July with an open order, without notifying them of a six month wait, while still issuing "Your order is complete" messages, could just be a set of good business practices. But I expect those methods from low-rated sellers on eBay and Amazon, not Harbor Freight. HF is opening more stores and improving their products. I hope they improve their customer support procedures, too.

Here is a piece of one state's consumer fraud statement:
"Acts or practices that may be deceptive include: making misleading cost or price claims; offering to provide a product or service that is not in fact available; using bait-and-switch techniques; omitting material limitations or conditions from an offer; or failing to provide the promised services."

The handful of lights reaching stores kills any argument that the product is not available. They are legally covered. And the thousands of store visits by people looking for this light will increase their sales.

I won't post anything else in this thread until I can give a review of the light!
My only intention was to let people know what HF won't - this good product will likely be scarce until July.

OR - do you think it COULD be, that's it such a great price for a well made, well performing product, that every guy with a flea market table and half a brain is buying them up at $19 and reselling them for $35-$40 which would STILL be an acceptable price for this... they are on Craigslist by me for $35.. people are doing exactly what I predicted when they first came out.

 

[kctyphoon]

How much of an advantage is it having the ability to bend to a 90 ?

I'm comparing the Braun to the Astro.

If the light panel had a swivel on it, this light would be perfect. And no I don't mean the current swivel which kinda doesn't serve a real purpose, I mean if it could swivel in the opposite plane. But the hinge it has is great. It would be kinda awkward to use without it.

 

[kctyphoon]

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...

Because where your order is being fulfilled, and where the regional warehouses are located are likely different places. I haven't seen ONE in stores lately, and I always look. I waited a few weeks for mine when I ordered it a while back. The one I received was a dud. Returned it to the store, got a replacement and bought another while I was there.. trust me, people will see these things all over craigslist and eBay for twice the price.

 

[kctyphoon]

Well if anyone can't get their hands on one, you have 2 options..

You can buy the ACTUAL Astro model online for like $38

Or you can buy an Astro 40sl clone for like $11 or $12 off eBay.

Of course I just realized that after paying $9 for one off AliExpress.

 

[fos373]

Because where your order is being fulfilled, and where the regional warehouses are located are likely different places. I haven't seen ONE in stores lately, and I always look. I waited a few weeks for mine when I ordered it a while back. The one I received was a dud. Returned it to the store, got a replacement and bought another while I was there.. trust me, people will see these things all over craigslist and eBay for twice the price.

if i realized i could have sold it for more, i would have bought the ones locally in the store. They had at least 3 when i was in there this weekend.

 

[kctyphoon]

if i realized i could have sold it for more, i would have bought the ones locally in the store. They had at least 3 when i was in there this weekend.

As far as I can see from pictures, it is EXACTLY the same as the Astro 31sl which sells for $40-$50

 

[rlitman]

OR - do you think it COULD be, that's it such a great price for a well made, well performing product, that every guy with a flea market table and half a brain is buying them up at $19 and reselling them for $35-$40 which would STILL be an acceptable price for this... they are on Craigslist by me for $35.. people are doing exactly what I predicted when they first came out.

No surprise. Also no surprise that I look upon people who do this in the same light as I see ticket scalpers.

 

[WhataTool]

As far as I can see from pictures, it is EXACTLY the same as the Astro 31sl which sells for $40-$50

[/IMG]

Addressed earlier in this thread

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6957031&postcount=185

I have a 31SL.
Bought it at least a year ago for $40, which i wouldn't consider expensive for a rechargeable light - but then again i don't shop at HF.

It's the same light, but came in a color box with a foam insert, had a wall charger, 2600mAh battery instead of 2200mAh, and comes with a 1 year warranty. I don't use it much since getting a 40SL, so I don't really get the comparison people make. But I suppose if I only paid $20 for a light and it didn't **** I would be pretty fond of it.

 

[kctyphoon]

Astro 40sl, and the light I just bought for $9. And yes it has the wire loop on top too, just folded down in that pic.

 

[WhataTool]

All those knock-off ship out of China. The 40SL isn't even made in China.

I can also buy a ratchet that looks just like Snap-On from China for $10, as long as at the end of the day you're not expecting a Snap-On ratchet then it'll probably be fine.

 

[Mr_B]

If HF had innovation they would of got 315sl crossed with best features of the 40sl which would be thumb wheel switch, balljoint on magnet base and a hook, those 3 things added into the 315 clone would of been an innovation.
Maxing battery would of been good too, 2800mah to 3000mah and it would honestly be better than the astro .
Still a good light at price but blatant copy rather than adding some innovation is piss poor show, that HF biggest issue, lack of innovation and not pushing tool range and versions to potential of consumer needs .

 

[rlitman]

All those knock-off ship out of China. The 40SL isn't even made in China...

Please back this up. Astro makes NO claims about COO of their product on their website:
http://www.astrotools.com/shop-equipment/lighting/410-lumen-rechargeable-cob-led-slim-light.html

If HF had innovation they would of got 315sl crossed with best features of the 40sl which would be thumb wheel switch, balljoint on magnet base and a hook, those 3 things added into the 315 clone would of been an innovation.
Maxing battery would of been good too, 2800mah to 3000mah and it would honestly be better than the astro .
Still a good light at price but blatant copy rather than adding some innovation is piss poor show, that HF biggest issue, lack of innovation and not pushing tool range and versions to potential of consumer needs .

Looking now, Astro sells a 40SLMAX with a 3350mAh battery.

 

[WhataTool]

If HF had innovation they would of got 315sl crossed with best features of the 40sl which would be thumb wheel switch, balljoint on magnet base and a hook, those 3 things added into the 315 clone would of been an innovation.
Maxing battery would of been good too, 2800mah to 3000mah and it would honestly be better than the astro .
Still a good light at price but blatant copy rather than adding some innovation is piss poor show, that HF biggest issue, lack of innovation and not pushing tool range and versions to potential of consumer needs .

If I've learned anything, it's apparently AP's job to innovate, invest in new designs and come out with new lights then its the job of HF and alibaba to make cheaper versions or knock-offs. Then it's GJ's job to make a 16 page thread about how to buy and where to find these versions instead of buying the original.

 

[Mr_B]

Astro 40sl, and the light I just bought for $9. And yes it has the wire loop on top too, just folded down in that pic.

I have one of these, good clone and good light output but plastic quality poor and won't last long in workshop use.
Couple of these for a budget diy'er not bad though but the braun is pro usable, I had my 2 in use over 3 months daily, dropped from 6ft+ many times and both still work, easy battery swap big plus as 2 lights and 2 spare batts on external cell charger do me all day .
one issue I had with 40sl is dirt in the usb port even with rubber cap in place but as charge cell externally not concern with braun plus ideally need 3 40sl in charge rotation cover days usage so don't get held up waiting for recharge complete .

 

[WhataTool]

Please back this up. Astro makes NO claims about COO of their product on their website:
http://www.astrotools.com/shop-equipment/lighting/410-lumen-rechargeable-cob-led-slim-light.html

That's probably because they don't list COO on their website for any of their items :shrug:

Here's a pic, not made in China.

 

[rlitman]

That's probably because they don't list COO on their website for any of their items :shrug:

Here's a pic, not made in China.

Taiwan IS China.

 

[WhataTool]

Taiwan IS China.

Not according to US tariff schedules and laws.

If you're on a tool forum and think there's no difference between Taiwan and China I think you're beyond help.

Still, knock-offs chipping from China mainland clearly not being sent from where the 40SL is being manufactured.

 

[kctyphoon]

For $9 - if it WORKS I'm happy.. after all, it's just a light, not a knock off rolex.

 

[Wamsutta]

Can the Braun be charged from a wall outlet, or is it strictly USB ?

 

[dkroth]

For $9 - if it WORKS I'm happy.. after all, it's just a light, not a knock off rolex.

I have a $5 Rolex I bought from a street vendor in DC ... 22 years ago. I've been through several batteries and it's still working.



.

 

[aka Larry]

Can the Braun be charged from a wall outlet, or is it strictly USB ?

USB only (via the supplied cable and wall wart), so most of us just buy a spare set of 18650 Li-Ion batteries and charger from Amazon so it's always ready.

 

[kctyphoon]

Can the Braun be charged from a wall outlet, or is it strictly USB ?

I don't get it.. it takes any charger cord with a micro USB end.. any cell phone these days have a a micro USB to USB cord, and a wall plug with a female USB plug for that cord.. so yes, it can be charged from a wall outlet.

 

[kctyphoon]

I have a $5 Rolex I bought from a street vendor in DC ... 22 years ago. I've been through several batteries and it's still working.



.

Real Rolex's (the models I know anyway) don't use batteries. They keep terrible time. That's the funny part.

 

[Wamsutta]

USB only (via the supplied cable and wall wart), so most of us just buy a spare set of 18650 Li-Ion batteries and charger from Amazon so it's always ready.

Does that mean that one end of the charging cable is a USB male and the other end is a wall adapter brick?

 

[aka Larry]

Does that mean that one end of the charging cable is a USB male and the other end is a wall adapter brick?

One end is USB male, that plugs into the supplied wall adapter brick. The other end is a micro USB male that plugs into the light itself.