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View Full Version : LED Pen Inspection Flashlight for Daily Use



redo75
11-30-2022, 10:53 PM
I am wondering what people carry in there pocket when inspecting cars and other projects.
I was carrying a "Reactor" small work LED inspection light from Home Hardware but I find the newer products to be unreliable and don't preform for any length of time. It uses 3 AAA 's and has two lights one pencil light and one wide beam chosen by a dual switch.
Yes I do have a Milwaukee # 2735-20 LED Worklight, but I need something smaller and more potable that I can carry in my shirt pocket.
Any suggestions as to what you found to your liking??
Thanks.

5.4MarkVIII
12-01-2022, 08:18 AM
as a tech in the field i have tried about every one i can find. they are all garbage and nothing last more than a few months. you change the batteries and they never work right.

im more inclined to just use the light on my phone anymore

Scrape
12-01-2022, 09:12 AM
I have one of these. They are great. https://www.homedepot.ca/product/coast-g20-54-lumen-inspection-beam-led-penlight/1000736063

5.4MarkVIII
12-01-2022, 10:11 AM
I have one of these. They are great. https://www.homedepot.ca/product/coast-g20-54-lumen-inspection-beam-led-penlight/1000736063

Lasted less than 3 months with daily use. Light started to flicker and go out. changed the batteries.
No better.

RedSN
12-01-2022, 10:20 AM
Have a similar Coast that I keep in the truck for when i go on site.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/coast-coast-g45-led-flashlight/1000733445?rrec=true
Good little flashlight, decent amount of light, but as mentioned above it flickers occasionally and requires kick.

The aluminum lights are good and tough, but not good for holding in your mouth when you need both hands.

True Blue
12-01-2022, 10:42 AM
While on the subject of flashlights, any suggestions on LED work lights that are rechargeable for working on cars and projects around the house?

5.4MarkVIII
12-01-2022, 11:33 AM
While on the subject of flashlights, any suggestions on LED work lights that are rechargeable for working on cars and projects around the house?

It was pricy but went this route while building the shop when I didn’t have power To save myself a plug on the generator. It’s light foldable and runs off a plug or a battery. I use it all the time now when I need more light.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Lighting/Tower-Lights/2135-20

ChickenLips
12-01-2022, 11:34 AM
I've been using a Coast HP7R for several years. Comes with rechargeable battery as well as AA battery pack. Works every time, bright as hell.

redo75
12-01-2022, 12:36 PM
I use the Milwaukee LED 18v # 2735-20 as my workhorse. It is missing a magnetic strip to attach to the car and the light will not point down when sitting on the ground - hope you understand that problem.
As a side note anybody going to have a table of mustang parts at the car swap meet at the International centre this weekend??

ChickenLips
12-01-2022, 05:53 PM
I've been using a Coast HP7R for several years. Comes with rechargeable battery as well as AA battery pack. Works every time, bright as hell.

my recommendation is not pen sized or magnetic mount BTW. I suspect the Coast brand to be decent across the product range but thats a guess.

5.4MarkVIII
12-01-2022, 09:17 PM
my recommendation is not pen sized or magnetic mount BTW. I suspect the Coast brand to be decent across the product range but thats a guess.

150 bucks vs 30. Lol

ChickenLips
12-02-2022, 10:49 AM
Supplied by my last employer. I didn't know the cost. I will say that employer formerly supplied cheap shit lights that were frequently replaced. With a 5000+ employee base and accounting department they would have done some homework but also benefitted from purchasing power. Alternately maybe someone in purchasing got greased.

I can say it's worked flawless for several years and is my go to for reliability and is the brightest flashlight I've owned.

5.4MarkVIII
12-02-2022, 04:56 PM
coast makes some good stuff, but i also have a bad habit of setting it down to light my work and then forgetting about it. customers tend to call when you forget cheap tools not when you forget expensive ones. lol

ChickenLips
12-02-2022, 05:15 PM
I use a headlamp quite a bit also. MEC has a good selection. The Petzl Tikka works just fine. When not on my forehead I just pull it down like a necklace. Haven't lost it yet.