nice thing about a corded light is you can't lose or forget it under a hood, losing tools *****
Looking for a rechargeable light
- Thread starter tom86951
- Start date
nice thing about a corded light is you can't lose or forget it under a hood, losing tools *****
kapster
Well-known member
I cant get over the no replaceable battery on these lights but thats just me. I use a Milwaukee M12 Stick light and really like it but takes some creativity to make a magnetic mount for it as it doesnt come with anything. It has a 1/4-20 threaded hole so you can use camera accessories with it. I have a Ram mount magnet I use and works well. I will post a picture next time I'm in the shop.
The corded tripod lights are hard to beat if it works out, just light up the whole area instead of spot lighting.
Milwaukee also makes a m12 Underhood light that I plan to get, again can just swap batteries.
Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk
The corded tripod lights are hard to beat if it works out, just light up the whole area instead of spot lighting.
Milwaukee also makes a m12 Underhood light that I plan to get, again can just swap batteries.
Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk
kctyphoon
Banned
The HF light is nice as long as CAN mount it. The hinge is nice - would be nice if it swiveled on the opposite plane too. It's the same as Astros old model.
For me it's the Neiko all day.. ur opinion may change once u start using them, but I guess ur search continues..
For me it's the Neiko all day.. ur opinion may change once u start using them, but I guess ur search continues..
After reading kctyphoon's gushing, I was about to buy a $32 Neiko, even though I don't even need another light. That was a hell of a review.
After the post by tom86951 now, I am in opposite reality, where I am going to pay MORE for the $39 HF product. With 20%, it's the same as the Neiko, but it seems the HF blows away the Neiko for the same price.
https://www.harborfreight.com/390-l...g-led-work-light-63958.html?_br_psugg_q=braun
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0786SDZ1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20
After the post by tom86951 now, I am in opposite reality, where I am going to pay MORE for the $39 HF product. With 20%, it's the same as the Neiko, but it seems the HF blows away the Neiko for the same price.
https://www.harborfreight.com/390-l...g-led-work-light-63958.html?_br_psugg_q=braun
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0786SDZ1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20
jives
Well-known member
I don't know how much light you need, but this unit I've had this 1900 lumen Globe Electric worklight for two years and it has exceeded all my expectations. Battery lasts as long as they say it does, light is awesome. Of course, these work lights are bulky and cannot fit in tight places, but it throws the light I need. Old eyes need a lot of light . . . . .
My dad got me this one for Christmas from Harbor Freight. It’s bright and really well though out
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Attachments
My dad got me this one for Christmas from Harbor Freight. It’s bright and really well though out
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Attachments
Haven’t used it a ton yet. It’s bright as can be. Lights a room if needed and can stand or hang. My initial opinion is the shape and design casts a nice flood light with which to work.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
bobemmerich
Well-known member
Yep! I have 2 in my garage. Going to definitely look into a portable LED.
InjectorService
Well-known member
ATD Saber work light. The best light I have ever bought hands down. Its not cheap but it is nice. Charges with a regular USB cable. Lasts a long time, tough. 2 light levels on the bar, plus the flashlight end.
https://atdtools.com/80475
Also get yourself a Zebralight Headlamp. Also not cheap but again well, well worth the money.
https://atdtools.com/80475
Also get yourself a Zebralight Headlamp. Also not cheap but again well, well worth the money.
Last edited:
kctyphoon
Banned
There’s another thread running on here on the same topic.. guy on there just bought 3 of the Neikos..
Last edited:
kctyphoon
Banned
Costco has had some of those under the CAT brand in the past. In 2 different sizes, and the smaller ones came in a 2 pack.. i have both of those too..
Another great light, but its not as cheap - is the folding Milwaukee model.. magnets are great - so long as you have something to stick it to. Wanna lay it on the ground, or hang it inside a wheel well - your outta luck. Home Depot has a new husky model that is similar to the HF also.
Its all a matter of what you wanna do, and how much youre willing to spend. Lights that ONLY have magnets wont do much for you inside the the car either. IMO the most ‘versatile’ model i have is the Neiko. I use my HF light too, but usually the Neiko is out there with it.
Last edited:
I just got the HF Braun just because of this thread. Thanks for posting the $24 coupon.
I have not bought a pointless tool that I don't even need in a very long time, if ever.
The Braun is a metal lamp and has heft and solid feel. I mean, "thanks". My main light in the garage is my Schumacher, but let's see how this one compared. I'll keep one of them in the house, maybe.
Thanks GJ !
I have not bought a pointless tool that I don't even need in a very long time, if ever.
The Braun is a metal lamp and has heft and solid feel. I mean, "thanks". My main light in the garage is my Schumacher, but let's see how this one compared. I'll keep one of them in the house, maybe.
Thanks GJ !
I agre with the HF large underhood work light , not bright enough. I picked up a couple 4 ft leds, basically 2 four foot bulbs and strapped a small bunge to each end and hung it from the hood. Worked great but not cordless either.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XGBKDKZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XGBKDKZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Buckaroo5
Well-known member
I have had the Capri verison for 5+ years - my go to small work light but they don't sell it anymore. I saved your Amazon link to the Neiko for a future buy....Thanks!
Buckaroo
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
I mentioned previously that my braun ligh from hf died because it got wet. I attempted drying it out and recharging and it didn’t work. Even took it apart. I refused to throw it away yet and decided to try charging it and it works now!! Im pretty excited about that so a big thubs up on that one. https://www.harborfreight.com/390-lumen-magnetic-slim-bar-folding-led-work-light-63958.html
Rabid Badger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2018
- Messages
- 1,338
The Braun is designed to use PROTECTED 18650 cells. It will over-discharge an unprotected battery if left on.
kctyphoon
Banned
Its the exact same light.. i call my older model Neiko - but its actually was a capri tools light. The old Neiko came out right after Capri stopped selling theirs. They have since upgraded that older version a little it seems with a newer type of plug and charger - but for the $5 difference in price its cray not to buy the newer / brighter model. Make sure its the COB style led model.
Last edited:
kctyphoon
Banned
Depending what model you have - the older version was upgraded under the Braun label. The orange and black (old one) is horrible. I have that too from all the people claiming how good it was. Its not. It *****. I have no idea what those people were looking at.
I had the older Neiko underhood (pictured) and now have the newer version. They upgraded, completely redesigned the clamping mount, and made the light itself thinner, might be a little brighter too, but I’m not sure. Well worth the money if you can survive without having one from cordless tool platform with a removable battery. Itll worked plugged in also, but the cord and charger are not the best.. if they made that more “work space friendly”, there would be no downside to it at all. For the amount of time i spend using it (not a lot), i dont need a more expensive Milwaukee. it makes life SO much easier just being able to clamp it on and hit a switch without fumbling around trying to get a light pointed or hung where you need it.
Last edited:
Ok, I got the 750 lumen Neiko and have tried it out in comparison to the 390 Lumen Harbor Freight Light. The Neiko is a nice light and perfect for some situations I'm sure, but for me, the Harbor Freight light is the clear winner. Here's why:
1. Despite the Lumen spec's, the two light seem virtually identical in terms of light output. I tried them both under the car, in a dark room, aimed at a wall, etc., and it sure feels like a push to me. Maybe in a lab they can tell the difference, but not in my real world garage.
2. The Neiko doesn't have a magnetic base, but has hooks instead. I actually like hooks, but the HF light can be stuck anywhere for just the right angle, etc. The Neiko comes with a clip-on magnet, but it was so weak I couldn't get it to stick well enough to be useful.
3. The HF has a light at the end for a flashlight mode. That's missing on the Neiko. Comes in handy when you need to look into a tiny nook.
4. The HF version is hinged so you can position it for a better angle as needed. The Neiko is a solid tube.
5. The light portion of the HF is much less bulky, so can be placed in much tighter spaces for good light. The Neiko, especially with the hook on the end, can't fit in spaces anywhere near as tight.
6. The Neiko claims to have "mode buttons" on the side, but at least on my unit, they were just a solid part of the rubber mold and didn't do anything. I could change brightness of the light with the switch on the bottom, but it is a bit hard to get at.
Neiko is probably a sturdier light in the long run, since it has more bulk and no hinge etc., but I'd almost always reach for the HF light first.
Round 1 goes to HF. I'm going to order an Astro next. Stay tuned.
Fast forward a month or two....
The HF Braun light did not hold up well in my garage. The push button switch got progressively more touchy, to the point where the light would go out most of the time when I'd move it. I was constantly turning it back on. I've read other reviews with the same issue, so sounds like a QC issue they need to fix. More recently, the flashlight part on the tip came off and left two wires just hang out the end. So... as much as I liked how sleek/maneuverable it was, it just wasn't sturdy enough for my garage. At least the one I got.
The Neiko light has held up well, with none of those issues. As good today as the day I got it. It's just much bulkier and harder to position, with no magnetic base, flashlight end, or hinged section, so I'm missing the HF.
So... I picked up a Schumacher SL184 light to replace the HF and have to say it's pretty nice. It has all the HF features missing on the Neiko. The switch is a dimmer knob that works great (when new anyway) and the body of the light is one-piece molded plastic without any parts that might fall off like the HF. So, as of now, the Schumacker is the leader of the pack. But I'll probably get an Astro soon enough and continue my review. The Schumacher and Astro actually seem very similar....
Formerjeeper
Well-known member
I have the Braun from HF and then got the SL65 from Astro Pneumatic about a year ago. Haven't used the Braun since and just bought a second SL65. My 8-year-old can have the Braun. The Astros are terrific.
richfinn
Well-known member
I have had all kinds of lamps in my 35 yr career and hated all of them except for
Streamlight Knucklehead (rechargable) this is the most reliable practical work light I've bought now 10yrs old
I use this under vehicles it has a strong magnet and you can aim the light exactly where you need it
Rechargable LED head torch, I use this all the time now, I forget which brand it is but its waterproof and runs one of the 18650 batteries, I would be lost without it!!!!!
Streamlight Knucklehead (rechargable) this is the most reliable practical work light I've bought now 10yrs old
I use this under vehicles it has a strong magnet and you can aim the light exactly where you need it
Rechargable LED head torch, I use this all the time now, I forget which brand it is but its waterproof and runs one of the 18650 batteries, I would be lost without it!!!!!
milwaukeephil
Well-known member
Someone posted the Nebo light and I liked that form factor. I did a little looking around and ordered a similar one from Clore, the company who brought us the Jump-N-Carry.
It arrives today so I'll report back.
https://www.amazon.com/Clore-Automotive-LNC1541-N-Carry-Rechargeable/dp/B076HXKT8C?th=1
It arrives today so I'll report back.
https://www.amazon.com/Clore-Automotive-LNC1541-N-Carry-Rechargeable/dp/B076HXKT8C?th=1
Last edited:
milwaukeephil
Well-known member
Got the Light-N-Carry (LNC1341) yesterday. I've been on a hunt for the perfect light for years. I've got Astro, Braun, The little Milwaukee Rover pivoting floodlight, and a few others.
This Clore light is the most robust feeling light I've ever had. I haven't gotten a chance to use it under a car, but I can tell you my first impressions:
-First off, the magnet is nice and strong. Stronger than any light I have.
-The pivoting base has a nice solid feel and smooth detents to keep it in position.
-The whole thing is covered in a squishy rubber with no hollow feel. It has a Fluke feel to it. You can see in the second photo where I'm digging my thumbnail into it. Fasteners are torx head.
-It comes with a nice cord AND wall transformer. The USB port has a slider over it. Such a nice feature after wearing out every rubber flap I've ever owned. There are 4 LEDs on the back to show the charge level.
-It also has a fold-out hook. The hook housing is also a pocket/belt clip.
I have no affiliation with Clore; it's not often that I get a tool in that has such a nice feel with well-thought-out materials and features, so I wanted to say something. I'm really surprised this light wasn't on my radar sooner. I found it by chance on Amazon for $30 and pulled the trigger. Glad I did.
This Clore light is the most robust feeling light I've ever had. I haven't gotten a chance to use it under a car, but I can tell you my first impressions:
-First off, the magnet is nice and strong. Stronger than any light I have.
-The pivoting base has a nice solid feel and smooth detents to keep it in position.
-The whole thing is covered in a squishy rubber with no hollow feel. It has a Fluke feel to it. You can see in the second photo where I'm digging my thumbnail into it. Fasteners are torx head.
-It comes with a nice cord AND wall transformer. The USB port has a slider over it. Such a nice feature after wearing out every rubber flap I've ever owned. There are 4 LEDs on the back to show the charge level.
-It also has a fold-out hook. The hook housing is also a pocket/belt clip.
I have no affiliation with Clore; it's not often that I get a tool in that has such a nice feel with well-thought-out materials and features, so I wanted to say something. I'm really surprised this light wasn't on my radar sooner. I found it by chance on Amazon for $30 and pulled the trigger. Glad I did.
Last edited:
Got the Light-N-Carry (LNC1341) yesterday. I've been on a hunt for the perfect light for years. I've got Astro, Braun, The little Milwaukee Rover pivoting floodlight, and a few others.
This Clore light is the most robust feeling light I've ever had. I haven't gotten a chance to use it under a car, but I can tell you my first impressions:
-First off, the magnet is nice and strong. Stronger than any light I have.
-The pivoting base has a nice solid feel and smooth detents to keep it in position.
-The whole thing is covered in a squishy rubber with no hollow feel. It has a Fluke feel to it. You can see in the second photo where I'm digging my thumbnail into it. Fasteners are torx head.
-It comes with a nice cord AND wall transformer. The USB port has a slider over it. Such a nice feature after wearing out every rubber flap I've ever owned. There are 4 LEDs on the back to show the charge level.
-It also has a fold-out hook. The hook housing is also a pocket/belt clip.
I have no affiliation with Clore; it's not often that I get a tool in that has such a nice feel with well-thought-out materials and features, so I wanted to say something. I'm really surprised this light wasn't on my radar sooner. I found it by chance on Amazon for $30 and pulled the trigger. Glad I did.
Thank you for the pics! Is this the 300 or the 500? Hard to tell from the pics. Send us a review when you get a chance to use it! My coworker uses a light which looks very similar to the small 200 lumen light (he bought a European company but I saw atd has a version as well. He loves it but it doesn’t have a mini usb charger or the flashlight on top so this one seems like the updated version
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Attachments
milwaukeephil
Well-known member
This is the 300. I'm also looking at trying the LNC Mantis (the LNCMINI). If it's built like the LNC1341 and has the same magnet with the lighter weight it might be a winner. I value a good magnet over brightness because I do a lot work in wheel wells where magnetic flat surfaces are slim pickings. You can have a strong magnet but the weight of the unit overcomes it.
jsaw
Well-known member
Another update after I got yet another wand-style inspection light -- the Astro Pneumatic 65SL. So far, I had the following, listed in order of preference:
1. Schumaker SL184
2. Astro Pneumatic 65SK
3. HF Braun
4. Neiko
The Astro is very (very) similar to the Schumacher. The body shape is a tiny bit different, and the LED strip itself isn't the same, but the location and shape of the switches (and the icons on them) look so similar that it would appear they are related in some way? I'd call it a toll up between the two, but the Schumacher base allows for 90 degree bends, whereas the Astro only goes to 45 -- and that can make a big difference under a car... I still love the HF -- it's equally bright by casual observance and easily gets into smaller places the others can't -- but the switch stopped working well after a month and the end flash light broke off the first time I dropped it. So it just doesn't seem to be sturdy enough for a real garage environment. The Neiko is a fine light, but it is the bulkiest of them all and doesn't have the hinge to get into tighter spaces, and the magnetic base is too weak to be useful. In contrast, all three of the others have mega-magnets in the base that stick like crazy.
Here's the Schumacher (red) and Astro (blue) to show how similar they are.
1. Schumaker SL184
2. Astro Pneumatic 65SK
3. HF Braun
4. Neiko
The Astro is very (very) similar to the Schumacher. The body shape is a tiny bit different, and the LED strip itself isn't the same, but the location and shape of the switches (and the icons on them) look so similar that it would appear they are related in some way? I'd call it a toll up between the two, but the Schumacher base allows for 90 degree bends, whereas the Astro only goes to 45 -- and that can make a big difference under a car... I still love the HF -- it's equally bright by casual observance and easily gets into smaller places the others can't -- but the switch stopped working well after a month and the end flash light broke off the first time I dropped it. So it just doesn't seem to be sturdy enough for a real garage environment. The Neiko is a fine light, but it is the bulkiest of them all and doesn't have the hinge to get into tighter spaces, and the magnetic base is too weak to be useful. In contrast, all three of the others have mega-magnets in the base that stick like crazy.
Here's the Schumacher (red) and Astro (blue) to show how similar they are.
Attachments
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
USB-C plus wireless charging is a win.