LED rechargeable light - worth the bucks

[WR250F]

I picked up a rechargeable 61 LED stick light over last weekend. I needed one, I didn't have one and didn't have any real insight to which (if any) were better than others.

So, I stopped in WalMart, thinking I would score a cheapo until I could figure out which one to get that might be a little better quality.

I ended up with a Bayco NSR-2392 for $20.34 plus tax.

http://www.baycoproducts.com/consumer/LEDs.html

Propaganda from the package says it will run for 4 hrs with an output of 120 lumens. I've fully charged it and left it on until it shuts off twice now. Both times the light ran between 3:50 and 4:10 hrs before shutting off.

The difference between the two was likely due to my clicking it on and off, running the flood and the spot etc before I just let it sit.

It has a folding stand/hanger and comes with a cord to charge it. The package is one of those sealed plastic types that require significant effort to open.

I'm pretty sure there are better, more high end options out there, and I would definitely like one with a magnetic base, but for $20 and change this one isn't bad at all.

I'm going to keep one of these in the car instead of the **** solution of a hand held flashlight and maybe keep one in the house for when the power goes out etc..

If you need a LED light, this one throws enough light to be usable and won't break the bank

 

[Outlawmws]

The key issue for me with rechargeable units is how long the battery will hold a charge in storage mode. This is often an incredibly short time (weeks ?) Alkaline battery's of course have leakage issues, (although this is better than it was in the past), and we won't even discuss carbon cells...

For a truly usable "emergency light" an LED with lithium AA or AAA's is hard to beat. 10-15 year shelf life, and a bulb that for practical purposes can't burn out. So far I've not had a single one leak and I've had one setup with batteries that are now 15 year sold and still usable.

Rechargeable batteries are at their best in constant use mode and being cycled so you know if they are charged.

 

[amolaver]

bayco is a great brand of drop light, and to use around the shop / under cars, looks great. always hard to gauge how bright something is - all the mfr's fudge the numbers...

can you take a pic of it on its 'stand'? for $20, would be a nice complement to the wired fluorescent drop light i usually use.

ahm

 

[WR250F]

can you take a pic of it on its 'stand'? for $20, would be a nice complement to the wired fluorescent drop light i usually use.

ahm

Here's a shot of it on the "stand" as they call it. In non-sales-hype it's a fold out paper clip hanger that will work as a stand... if you try real hard to imagine it as that

But, it does seem fastened well to the light, so it might work... kinda

 

[toxiclows]

DO NOT DROP IT. i have been through a few of these. and they all broke when falling from under a car on the lift onto the concrete. the last one i bought i used 12 rolls of electrical tape and cushioned it all up worked out really well. i love by blue point light but its out for repair too for the money the bayco is a great deal

 

[LWaite]

I have one
Seems to work great and alot of light

 

[rlitman]

I have this one:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cordless-rechargeable-work-light-with-35-led-lights/p-03473904000P
For it for $19 on sale.
Well worth the money (maybe not full price though). Lights for at least a few hours (I haven't timed it), but it does get dimmer as the batteries discharge. I've read reviews about it being kind of fragile, but I haven't dropped or broken mine yet.
The magnetic handle is great, and the light quality is wonderful. It's about as bright as my 13W fluorescent drop light, but not as good as my 75W incandescent.
The fact that it takes 3 clicks to shut off is a bit annoying, but having the option of light in the front is nice.

 

[amolaver]

Here's a shot of it on the "stand" as they call it. In non-sales-hype it's a fold out paper clip hanger that will work as a stand... if you try real hard to imagine it as that

But, it does seem fastened well to the light, so it might work... kinda

thanks for the description and finding that image. i was hoping it was something more significant than the 'bent up paper clip' - i've had a number of those and they never last the paper clip always ends up getting detached and is usually not being strong enough to support the light in the position i want.

will probably end up with a milwaukee m18 led light since after getting the 1/2" impact, i decided to migrate to that platform. hopefully its sturdy...

ahm

 

[Trey T]

Stick with Li-Ion battery operated devices. Stay away from Ni-Cad and Ni-Mh as they're not friendly when it comes to charging and maintaining the life of the battery.

Pay a bit more and get brand name lights with Li-Ion.

 

[Quint]

Got the Cman one last year on black friday. LOVE it so far.
Car interior work
Under hood work
Under sink work
basement ceilings under the stairs
...
You name it.

 

[Subyroo651]

Stick with Li-Ion battery operated devices. Stay away from Ni-Cad and Ni-Mh as they're not friendly when it comes to charging and maintaining the life of the battery.

Pay a bit more and get brand name lights with Li-Ion.

Can you mention names or models?

Maybe a list say under $60 or so

 

[WR250F]

Can you mention names or models?

Maybe a list say under $60 or so

I agree, that would be most helpful

 

[KZOC]

I have this one:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cordless-rechargeable-work-light-with-35-led-lights/p-03473904000P
For it for $19 on sale.
Well worth the money (maybe not full price though). Lights for at least a few hours (I haven't timed it), but it does get dimmer as the batteries discharge. I've read reviews about it being kind of fragile, but I haven't dropped or broken mine yet.
The magnetic handle is great, and the light quality is wonderful. It's about as bright as my 13W fluorescent drop light, but not as good as my 75W incandescent.
The fact that it takes 3 clicks to shut off is a bit annoying, but having the option of light in the front is nice.

I purchased one on Black Friday last year also, very happy with it... Went by Sears a few days ago, looks like they are setting up for B.F. already, and these areset out in a big display... I'll probably pick up 2 more when they go on sale...

 

[vgs8606]

That Craftsman is a good light except the electronic switch forces you to cycle through the modes. I wish it had two switches to control the two sections. On the other hand the built quality is quite good and most importantly, it has electronically controlled charger which shuts off itself when the battery is fully charged. This is very rare in cheap rechargeable tools.

 

[mhulbrock]

I also have the CMan rechargeable. Received it as a gift as was pretty skeptical. Cant go wrong with plug in lights, right? This is now my go to light, so perfect. Opinion totally changed. Great product.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

i can't live with out my blue point light