Harbor Freight 'Braun' Work Light - WOW! (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Spike Strip
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #122
There have been so many improvements in these types of lights since the thread was started, may be time to upgrade, anyway 
Maybe peeps can post what they've bought in the last 6 months that they really really like?
Maybe peeps can post what they've bought in the last 6 months that they really really like?
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
I've had a pair of these in the shop for 4-5 years. I replaced one with a newer version last year. Mine take a real beating. I saved the dead one for parts. Using battery cap on current one now.
They are cheap and take a pounding. Oh yeah, they work.
They are cheap and take a pounding. Oh yeah, they work.
- Thread starter
- #124
I'll probably get one of these when on 20% sale:
www.harborfreight.com
And FWIW, this HF knife is excellent as an EDC:
www.harborfreight.com
800 Lumen LED Rechargeable Magnetic Handheld Foldable Slim Bar Work Light
Amazing deals on this 800L Foldable Black Rechargeable Slim Led Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
And FWIW, this HF knife is excellent as an EDC:
Drop Point Knife with Ceramic Bearings
Amazing deals on this Ceramic Bearing Drop Point Knife at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
I have that Icon light - over a year now. Been pretty good so far. Definitely sturdier than the Braun.I'll probably get one of these when on 20% sale:
800 Lumen LED Rechargeable Magnetic Handheld Foldable Slim Bar Work Light
Amazing deals on this 800L Foldable Black Rechargeable Slim Led Light at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
And FWIW, this HF knife is excellent as an EDC:
Drop Point Knife with Ceramic Bearings
Amazing deals on this Ceramic Bearing Drop Point Knife at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
That drop point has a cult like following.
This type of light could be a lifesaver in a power outage situation. But that is also why I absolutely want a removable battery, so I can use my stash of 20 something 18650s I keep for emergencies. That should last a couple of days in a pinch.
HF just introduced a new ICON light: https://www.harborfreight.com/colle...-slim-bar-light-with-uv-inspection-70198.html
I saw it online and haven't had a chance to see one in person. However, it looks more robust than the Braun and similar format to the SnapOn ones I'm using in the Shop now. Of the Braun versions I have, one is unusable and others have been relegated to household duty due to breaking the joint over time. As I posted earlier, I went to SnapOn for daily Shop use.
HF compares the new one to the ECARD062, which I find a bit large for general use. I use the smaller ECARD068, which fits in my hand better for daily use but does not have the dual sided feature. The ICON light is the size of the larger ECARD062, so I'd expect similar issues with size there. Neither SnapOn light has the UV or high color rendering modes or the hook.
Biggest downside I see compared to the Braun is the battery isn't easily replaceable. The instructions show cutting the wires for removal. The SnapOn ones don't have replaceable batteries either, although you could probably make something work if you were industrious enough.
I saw it online and haven't had a chance to see one in person. However, it looks more robust than the Braun and similar format to the SnapOn ones I'm using in the Shop now. Of the Braun versions I have, one is unusable and others have been relegated to household duty due to breaking the joint over time. As I posted earlier, I went to SnapOn for daily Shop use.
HF compares the new one to the ECARD062, which I find a bit large for general use. I use the smaller ECARD068, which fits in my hand better for daily use but does not have the dual sided feature. The ICON light is the size of the larger ECARD062, so I'd expect similar issues with size there. Neither SnapOn light has the UV or high color rendering modes or the hook.
Biggest downside I see compared to the Braun is the battery isn't easily replaceable. The instructions show cutting the wires for removal. The SnapOn ones don't have replaceable batteries either, although you could probably make something work if you were industrious enough.
That looks even bigger than the SnapOn version! The difference between the ECARD062 and ECARD068 is substantial enough that the larger one is awkward to use daily. Another guy in the Shop has both versions and the ECARD062 just sits on his toolbox except for the rare occasion. Initially he really liked the idea of the dual sides and more light, but it really just isn't practical in daily use. You have to find someplace substantial to stick it to magnetically due to the weight and if it is too close you're bumping it. Then you blind yourself if you have both sides lit. I'll see if I can get pictures of both of them.
Here are the two SnapOn lights. I wear an XL glove for reference. Unless that hand above is extremely small, the HF light is even larger than the larger SO light. As I said, the larger SO light is ungainly. I can wrap my hand comfortably around the smaller one and my thumb and finger barely overlap on the larger one.
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
We just lost power for 7.5 days due to hurricane Helene. You are right on point. I brought in 4 stick lights from the shop along with extra batteries. We had people over grilling on the back porch and all the lights were in a box, need a light grab from thee box, done, put it back. They were life savers.
I'll be damned if I pay $60 for a stick light.
I have two Braun models that were under $30 each and a couple off brand from Amazon that were under $15 for the pair and they last forever before they need a charge and take a daily beating. My stick light does not need to say Snap On to light up my world.
