Need recco on handheld work light

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Hi, I have been using a Bayco LED rechargeable “stick” shaped work light and have liked it a lot, but alas, it has broken. I am now in the market for a handheld work light and could use a recommendation as to what I might buy. I would like it to be LED,cordless, rechargeable, hold in one hand, lightweight, throw a wider light than a flashlight, and other features you might suggest. It is used as a work light in place of a flashlight. Can anyone suggest what handheld work light I might look at? Thanks for your help. Ed.

2

What kind of workplace will you be using this light in? I have a USB power bank and a pair of these USB lights:

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1604606

I'll use them as a directional work light when I'm doing normal work around the house in areas that need additional light. It's not very rugged though, so I wouldn't use it in a shop-type environment.

If you are in the US, these Harbor Freight mini work lights are cheap and popular:

http://www.harborfreight.com/27-led-portable-worklight-flashlight-67227.html

...or build up something like this:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/3057

I've been toying with the idea of setting up a 12V SLA cell in a box, and building up an enclosure with several of those cheap 12V LED bulbs to make a cheap portable version of this (Unfortunately, I can't see the pics, not sure if they've been moved or if they are blocked by my work network):

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/21483

3

Have you tried a decent headlamp ?
I used to use the handheld stick lights, led and fluorescence, I still do occasionally, but found a headlight far more practical, you have both hands free and the light goes where your looking

4

Thanks for these suggestions. As for how I use it, I tend to use it as a flashlight until I get to the thing I need to work on, then I place the work light on or around what I am working on. A headlamp could work, but I prefer a broader, bigger light spot than those work. The light bars would not work in the way I need, given I need compact, portable.

Something like this is close to what I want:

This is what I have now, and might stay with:

This might be good as well.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Mobile-Power-Light-Bolt-3-6-Volt-1000-mAh-Li-ion-Battery-Rechargeable-with-Retractible-worklight-and-Spot-light-with-36-LEDs-4030/203751013

This might work as well

I think Milwaukee makes something similar.

Thanks for your help and if anyone has any other thoughts, please contribute, Ed.

5

I’ve got the last one in your list, and a few other types, works quite well, cheap and robust, was happy with it till I saw the light, so to speak.

Regarding the headlight, I was like you till I found blf my only experience of lights was the rubbish you often find in diy stores or maglight
Had a few headlights from those type of stores , horrible light beam colour, too bright and to narrow a beam, not much use for working up close and cast terrible shadows.

Then I bought some quality lights, my favourite for working on cars, boats and stuff is the nitecore nc90, nice floody beam, fully adjustable brightness, light just where u want it and nice colour rendering if you find a tint you like

So if your only experience of headlights are the diy ones or the over priced for what you get big store ones
Then try a decent one or one that has had reviews from someone on here, you’ll wonder how you managed with out one

I just mentioned the nitecore one as that’s the one I like the most for the above situation, but any with a mule type beam should be ok, I’m sure other can recommend other makes that do what your looking for

6

Thanks dw911 I will have to look at one like that, because those are the issues I have had with the ones I have used, thanks again, Ed.