Portable work light

[White Lincoln]

I spent about an hour going over the available rechargeable, magnetic work lights because I am tired of trying use a regular shop light under the car. The power cord is in the way, dropping it pops the bulb and they don't like welding flakes flying at them (blows the bulb). I wanted a square one that can rotate cause the long ones don't see to be as flexable and are just gangly. I finally decided I would try this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D6S26SL6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I liked this one for a few reasons. It has the least amount of crappy reviews (maybe because not enough people have purchased it), the price was not crazy high (like DeWalt) and it should be bright enough compared to the ones I reviewed. It also has a hanging hook and adjustable lumens, which I really liked. Comparable ones that had high reviews were twice the price for a friken work light made of platic. Harbor Fright was a joke and Walgreens and Lowes had nothing but crap too (for my taste).

I will give the light a try and see if it really holds up to the claims or not. More to come!

 

[Rodeo Joe]

While your at it, throw one of these in too.

Joe

 

[KevinVarnes]

I actually just purchased more of these today. I had previously bought them under the TorchStar name, but this OEM Tools part is the same thing. I've beaten the heck out of these and they still work. The last one I had I think I left on a car before a test drive and never saw it again. I wish the battery life was longer, but as long as I don't just leave it on while I do something else it is usually adequate for the jobs I do. The magnets are very strong and I like that it has the two different lights (flashlight and the wider main light).

I detest Amazon like the plague, but they are already made in China anyway and they had a good deal on them. They are normally around $60-$70 each.

Amazon.com

 

[Kenz]

This was my favorite work light. Great quality/battery life/brightness. I originally bought it because ErictheCarGuy on YouTube recommended them. It had a small strong magnetic base and was really easy to mount wherever needed.

https://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-Tool-40SLMAX-Rechargeable/dp/B01JBNS2NI

I unfortunately lost it a year or two ago. Guess I left it under a car at some point and it ended up on the side of the road.

Using one of these now and I like it, but it's not as nice as the Astro was.

1000 Lumen Dual-Sided Rechargeable Slim Bar Light with UV Inspection

Amazing deals on this 1000L Dual-Sided Rechargeable Slim Bar Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[White Lincoln]

While your at it, throw one of these in too.

Joe

LOL! Wife already got one for me for Christmas a few years back. Best thing ever for doing crap in the dark. Under the car though, my head moves around too much to not act like a cat and start chasing the light.

Plus, my head lamp has a RED light too! WTF for, I have no idea.

 

[White Lincoln]

Well Kevin and Kenz.... I kept seeing the car guys on YouTube using the square ones. I had the flashlight size ones before and they were a pain in the arse to use under the car to get them to point where i wanted them to go. Or, they just crapped out and did not withstand the beating I gave them.

But really..... thanks for all the input, much apprecated. I hope others find this post helpful from all of us when looking into getting shop light.

I have regular shop light that I can never get it to shine the way I want. I have a 4ft LED shop light for over the hood that is just awesome (has magnets, hooks and everything a growing boy needs to work on cars). But I needed something that was rotatable, magnetic and worked under the car.

 

[Kurt K]

Rod suggested this to me a while back, and it is great

https://a.co/d/gPtw8Tl

 

[racecougar]

Yep, I have two of these now. They are great.

Strong magnetic base, metal construction, has lasted me 7 hours straight on a charge with the light on high, and it is incredibly bright.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC51Q3K2?re ... asin_title

This is with all of the lights off in the shop, at night, with just this light on.

 

[Zep5.0]

I like these for early morning or late night walks, but imagine under a car they may work great as well.

https://a.co/d/asakuQ2

 

[White Lincoln]

I like these for early morning or late night walks, but imagine under a car they may work great as well.

https://a.co/d/asakuQ2

That is interesting. Looks like the ones people put on their dogs for night walks. I may try one of those.... on me, not the dog.

 

[White Lincoln]

Rod suggested this to me a while back, and it is great

https://a.co/d/gPtw8Tl

Yes, those are nice, very bright, but as mentioned, I did not think it would suite what i needed it for. Something not so gangly. Thanks for sharing though!

My light is "supposed" to be here today. I will test it tonight and let you all know if it is a POS or not.

As for holding a charge... my super bright small MagLite burns though batteries like candy. I have a recharable small flash light that seems to hold a charge for a long time. But I don't use it as much as the MagLite, the small one, not the prison break one (see pic).

 

[White Lincoln]

I got the light in today. I turned it on and it has 4 levels. The 4th level will make a blind man go blind.... The magnet is not the strongest, but might be addiqute for under the car. I see a lot uses for this thing. Pics to come. Maybe I will do a comparison pic with RaceCougar's pic.

 

[Kenz]

The 4th level will make a blind man go blind....

Lighting tech has really improved the last couple of decades!
I bought one of these, it is absolutely ridiculous how bright it can get. It is basically a spot light on high brightness.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDGDSX8S

 

[White Lincoln]

Lighting tech has really improved the last couple of decades!
I bought one of these, it is absolutely ridiculous how bright it can get. It is basically a spot light on high brightness.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDGDSX8S

It's insane how bright flash lights are getting. I am glad you like the one you purchased, it is important that you get what you, otherwise, Jungle Web WILL hear about it...

I forgot to mention one other reason I like this light, it charges using the newer USB Type C connector / cable.

I thought of another use.... strap it to the front of my bike when riding at night, or the day and REALLY let everyone know I am coming....

 

[Vicinity]

I accidentally got 500 lumens point blank in the dark, I was disoriented for a half hour. Stupid path light put all their control settings right near the source. I think I've read they have 7000 lumen flashlights, makes you wonder if theres any defense capabilities with it heh.

 

[Green T]

Energizer Rechargeable Flashlight 2000 Lumens: LED, Impact & Water-Resistant, High/Low/Strobe Modes, 250m Range, Silver

Read reviews and buy Energizer Rechargeable Flashlight 2000 Lumens: LED, Impact & Water-Resistant, High/Low/Strobe Modes, 250m Range, Silver at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

www.target.com

This is my current go-to flashlight.

 

[White Lincoln]

I accidentally got 500 lumens point blank in the dark, I was disoriented for a half hour. Stupid path light put all their control settings right near the source. I think I've read they have 7000 lumen flashlights, makes you wonder if theres any defense capabilities with it heh.

"Weaponized flashlight"

 

[XR7-4.6]

What’s your experiences if any with these lightbar style underhood lights? I saw one at HF last time I was there but read some mixed reviews on it’s brightness

845 Lumen LED Rechargeable Underhood Work Light

Amazing deals on this 845 Lumen Under Hood Work Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Anything truly brighter for up to $100ish? Opinions? Conceptually I love it, but I’m certain there’s cons I’m overlooking.

Personally I have had a handful of smaller portable lights and they’re all pretty much meh working with jackstands(literally 3/4 of the time I get fed up and whip out my phone flashlight).

@White Lincoln mentioned MagLite which I have to say has long been my long time go to underbody flashlight in spite of its classic flashlight egornomics being slightly inconvenient/unintuitive but it is great in terms of output and convenience. Biggest complaint is with wear and tear it has developed a nasty habit of going onto strobe/SOS mode completely randomly and at the worst of times.

 

[White Lincoln]

Energizer Rechargeable Flashlight 2000 Lumens: LED, Impact & Water-Resistant, High/Low/Strobe Modes, 250m Range, Silver

Read reviews and buy Energizer Rechargeable Flashlight 2000 Lumens: LED, Impact & Water-Resistant, High/Low/Strobe Modes, 250m Range, Silver at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

www.target.com

This is my current go-to flashlight.

This is one I got from wallyworld... it does the job, super bright, 3 levels (though I have no clue what the strobe light setting is for) and is rechargable. It's no 2000 lubmens, but my other flashlight is! LOL

Rayovac Metal Rechargeable LED Flashlight with USB Charging Cable, 300 Lumens, 18650 battery - Walmart.com

Buy Rayovac Metal Rechargeable LED Flashlight with USB Charging Cable, 300 Lumens, 18650 battery at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[White Lincoln]

What’s your experiences if any with these lightbar style underhood lights? I saw one at HF last time I was there but read some mixed reviews on it’s brightness

845 Lumen LED Rechargeable Underhood Work Light

Amazing deals on this 845 Lumen Under Hood Work Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Anything truly brighter for up to $100ish? Opinions? Conceptually I love it, but I’m certain there’s cons I’m overlooking.

Personally I have had a handful of smaller portable lights and they’re all pretty much meh working with jackstands(literally 3/4 of the time I get fed up and whip out my phone flashlight).

@White Lincoln mentioned MagLite which I have to say has long been my long time go to underbody flashlight in spite of its classic flashlight egornomics being slightly inconvenient/unintuitive but it is great in terms of output and convenience. Biggest complaint is with wear and tear it has developed a nasty habit of going onto strobe/SOS mode completely randomly and at the worst of times.

Honestly, the last one I had was from Craftsman and was pretty pathetic in brighness. The current bar lights, I thought they were expensive but worth it for under the hood. I went the cheap route and bought LED shop lights and put magnets and hooks on the ends. I can beat the crap out of them and so far, only lost one bulb. But yeah, mine are plenty bright (reported 4400 lumens) to light up under the hood. The lights are really light weight too. They are good for under the car, but bulky due to the lenghth. I used a piece of blue painters tape to block one side so I am not blinded. But for the convience, get a nice bar light, that is bright, has hooks and magnets, an on /off swith, rechargable if you don;t want a power cord hangine around and has a good rating from other buyers.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XGBKDKZ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_11&th=1

 

[Vicinity]

"Weaponized flashlight"

Im trying to picture two people duking it out with flashlights, what a fucking mess

 

[Kenz]

What’s your experiences if any with these lightbar style underhood lights? I saw one at HF last time I was there but read some mixed reviews on it’s brightness

I have used one before in someone else's garage.... but don't own one. These magnetic portable lights are so bright, don't think the whole underhood bar lights are really needed anymore. But if the workspace lighting is bad I expect they would be helpfull.

 

[Ericv8thunderbird]

I got this one for Christmas, I think it’s way better than my Cornwell tools light.

Amazon.com

 

[White Lincoln]

Im trying to picture two people duking it out with flashlights, what a fucking mess

Boggles the mind.

 

[White Lincoln]

I got this one for Christmas, I think it’s way better than my Cornwell tools light.

Amazon.com

And you like this light for using on the car? Or just in general? Dang, you guys are talking me out of my original idea that those types of shop lights are better for working on the car.

But I don't think it would work on the front of a bike though....

 

[KevinVarnes]

What’s your experiences if any with these lightbar style underhood lights? I saw one at HF last time I was there but read some mixed reviews on it’s brightness

845 Lumen LED Rechargeable Underhood Work Light

Amazing deals on this 845 Lumen Under Hood Work Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Anything truly brighter for up to $100ish? Opinions? Conceptually I love it, but I’m certain there’s cons I’m overlooking.

Personally I have had a handful of smaller portable lights and they’re all pretty much meh working with jackstands(literally 3/4 of the time I get fed up and whip out my phone flashlight).

I've never really seen the advantage of one of those underhood lights. The handheld lights I have cast plenty of light and I usually have to focus in on an area. I'm also maybe under the hood 25% of the time? Most of my repairs are under/around the car and I'm moving around quite a bit where one of those big lights wouldn't do me much good. I've never had a problem positioning it or getting it to stay where I need (unless I am trying to stick it to something round). The magnets on it are quite strong.

 

[White Lincoln]

I've never really seen the advantage of one of those underhood lights. The handheld lights I have cast plenty of light and I usually have to focus in on an area. I'm also maybe under the hood 25% of the time? Most of my repairs are under/around the car and I'm moving around quite a bit where one of those big lights wouldn't do me much good. I've never had a problem positioning it or getting it to stay where I need (unless I am trying to stick it to something round). The magnets on it are quite strong.

A perfect example of need = purchase. I too could not see using an underhood light under the car, but they are so much better for lighting up the whole engine when pulling off the upper intake. Pulling out the water pump might require a single light on the area since your body will cover the light from the hood lamp.

Good point.