Illumination Light Ideas for Mobile Handyman Toolkit

[oldschoolcraft]

What recommendations does the group have for lights for mobile tool kits? I run M12 tools, and I do love the M12 Rover Light and have several, but they feel like more of a larger toolkit type of light.

I have and love a streamlight headlamp that runs off CR123 or AA batteries, and there's always one in my car emergency kit. It's basically all I've been using for my small mobile handyman toolkit. Either on my head, or I turn it on and lay it on the ground next to whatever I'm working on to provide light.

I look at Milwaukee's other portable light offerings and nothing is blowing my skirt up. I'm not really sure I want to use M12-batteries in a light, I'm thinking of something smaller, maybe USB-C rechargeable. I refuse to buy anything that charges off USB-Micro or Mini anymore. USB-C only, and ideally ones that charge off USB-C to USB-C, since a lot of cheaper electronics require using an A to C cable to charge due to being too cheap to add the circuitry to request the proper wattage from the charger, whereas A is a fixed 5W.

I'm thinking multiple small lights might be interesting, get to illuminate around a workspace potentially. I also have the M12 stick light, it's interesting.

 

[chevy.stroker]

Look at

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[richfinn]

What recommendations does the group have for lights for mobile tool kits? I run M12 tools, and I do love the M12 Rover Light and have several, but they feel like more of a larger toolkit type of light.

I have and love a streamlight headlamp that runs off CR123 or AA batteries, and there's always one in my car emergency kit. It's basically all I've been using for my small mobile handyman toolkit. Either on my head, or I turn it on and lay it on the ground next to whatever I'm working on to provide light.

I look at Milwaukee's other portable light offerings and nothing is blowing my skirt up. I'm not really sure I want to use M12-batteries in a light, I'm thinking of something smaller, maybe USB-C rechargeable. I refuse to buy anything that charges off USB-Micro or Mini anymore. USB-C only, and ideally ones that charge off USB-C to USB-C, since a lot of cheaper electronics require using an A to C cable to charge due to being too cheap to add the circuitry to request the proper wattage from the charger, whereas A is a fixed 5W.

I'm thinking multiple small lights might be interesting, get to illuminate around a workspace potentially. I also have the M12 stick light, it's interesting.

I've got an O-light rechargeable headlamp that has a nice robust magnetic charging point and comes with a 12v charging cable.

Perun 2 Mini led rechargeable right-angle headlamp with 1100 lumens white light and Red light. As a handheld EDC torch or as a headlamp with a headband!

Perun 2 Mini led rechargeable right-angle headlamp with 1100 lumens white light and Red light. As a handheld EDC torch or as a headlamp with a headband!

www.olightstore.uk

 

[darkzero]

I've got the M12 rover service/repair light & is one of my favorites from MW. I also have the stick light in M12 & M18. They're old models & not that bright but the M18 has excellent runtime & I still use it for that reason (not the M12 one much though). I don't always need super bright.

I also have a couple of Milwaukee "USB" lights which are handy but they don't have that great of runtime. I have the old 2.0 batts though & at least the battery can be swapped out. But I only have 1 spare & I don't want to buy more of them.

I recently bought this little light for work, that was the plan but I liked it so much I'm keeping it home. I'm not a fan of headlamps but later I also bought the headband for it & the sensor switch to use with the headband (turns the light on/off by waving your hand over it). I'll probably never use them but I bought the accessories for the heck of it just cause they didn't cost much. No idea if the little 18350 will have decent runtime but I did get the 18650 extension tube for it (again just for the heck of it)


At work I mainly use necklights, I wear & use them everyday all day. I recently brought home the EZ-RED for home/garage use. I use the Snap-on & Matco ones at work. I previously never had any interest in necklights up until last year but now I really like them. I wear them above my ears at times too.


This past weekend I got the Icon flood light. Been using it this week at work here & there and I really like it. The package didn't say it but the receipt said pocket flood light. It's not pocketable IMO, kinda big, metal case so it's got some heft to it. Never thought I would ever buy a light from HF or be happy with it.


I briefly played with the Braun puck light which might be better for a mobile tool kit. But for me I'm fine taking the M12 rover or M18 stick light with me. The Braun is smaller than the Icon, not as heavy, but also not as bright. No idea what the runtime is on that one. I have a strong suspicion that the HF Braun & Icon puck lights are made by the same manufacturer that makes em for Snap-on.

750 Lumen Rechargeable Ultra-Compact Magnetic LED Floodlight, Red

Amazing deals on this 750 Lumen Compact Floodlight Red at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

And just to add, some of my coworkers use the Braun stick light (newest model). They seem to be holding up pretty well. I briefly thought about getting one as a supplement light for work but I don't like the form factor that much for my uses & ended up getting the Icon puck light instead when it went on sale. IMO it's better than the more expensive Icon stick light. Mikwaukee makes one too now.

500 Lumen LED Rechargeable Magnetic Handheld Foldable Slim Bar Work Light

Amazing deals on this 500 Lumen Slim Bar Folding Work Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[GeoBruin]

I also have and use the M12 rover. It actually does ride in my mobile kit my mobile box is a pelican 0450 so I have a little extra room. It also seemed useful to be able to run the light on the same batteries the other m12 tools are using.

For smaller usb-c rechargeable lights, I have the Icon foldable stick light which I really like. Some people complain that it's "backwards" for under vehicle use but I don't do that much of that kind if work and the light on both sides is plenty bright in any case. I actually use the light at the tip pretty often for looking down insude holes and crevaces. The Braun may fill a similar niche.

I also have the Astro mini floodlight which is very compact compared to the M12 rover but offers similar style of lighting. It is both usb-c and induction charge capable. I don't really like the switch on the Astro. I always seem to have to hunt for it. Otherwise it has been good, and the magnet is very strong and useful for positioning the light effectively.

 

[Zewnten]

Portable, Super-Bright Scene Light & EXT | Streamlight®

Area work light

Amazon.com : Milwaukee Lights

under things light

Amazon.com

hard hat

Amazon.com

hands free

MDC 2AA LMH Flashlight

Hard Anodized Black MDC (Malkoff Daily Carry) 2AA Flashlight. This is a tailcap switch activated 210-300 Lumen, multimode light. The Modes are Low-Med-High. It always comes on in Low. It will easily illuminate objects at 200+ feet. The LED is a White (5700K) or Neutral (4000K 95 CRI) Luminous...

malkoffdevices.com

inspection/EDC

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I started thinking about specific issues I've had with lights in the past for these mobile kits.

1) size being too big for a smaller kit
2) the activation buttons too easy to depress by accident and drain the battery in the bag while stored
3) the battery being too difficult to handle logistics for, either due to proprietary cables or weird batteries, or just expensive disposable batteries (like CR123s)

One light I'm considering adding to my kit because I already have it, is the Cloud Defensive Chinese light, because I already own one, dont love it, not worth selling, it's interesting that it's USB-C, and that's the only interesting thing about it.

CLOUD DEFENSIVE CHICRO (BLACK)

<p>The Chicro Micro Admin Light punches above its class by offering outstanding performance in a small form factor. Ideal for automotive repairs, everyday carry, or emergency situations, this micro handheld fits conveniently in your pocket or can be clipped to a hat brim via the reversible...

www.clouddefensive.com

 

[pizza]

zebralight headlamp

H600c Mk IV 18650 XHP50.2 4000K High CRI Headlamp-H600c Mk I

www.zebralight.com

A6 and NCR18650GA battery-A6

www.zebralight.com

 

[Dig Doug]

I’ve been using the Kobalt neck light 300 lumen rechargeable I have 2 for work

2 models
210 lum
300 lum

 

[Jim greengo]

What recommendations does the group have for lights for mobile tool kits? I run M12 tools, and I do love the M12 Rover Light and have several, but they feel like more of a larger toolkit type of light.

I have and love a streamlight headlamp that runs off CR123 or AA batteries, and there's always one in my car emergency kit. It's basically all I've been using for my small mobile handyman toolkit. Either on my head, or I turn it on and lay it on the ground next to whatever I'm working on to provide light.

I look at Milwaukee's other portable light offerings and nothing is blowing my skirt up. I'm not really sure I want to use M12-batteries in a light, I'm thinking of something smaller, maybe USB-C rechargeable. I refuse to buy anything that charges off USB-Micro or Mini anymore. USB-C only, and ideally ones that charge off USB-C to USB-C, since a lot of cheaper electronics require using an A to C cable to charge due to being too cheap to add the circuitry to request the proper wattage from the charger, whereas A is a fixed 5W.

I'm thinking multiple small lights might be interesting, get to illuminate around a workspace potentially. I also have the M12 stick light, it's interesting.

I like rechargeable headlights myself,I keep 2 in my truck all the time.

 

[zendriver]

Rechargeable HF neck light is used regularly by me, for truck inspection.