Light for new handyman

[TPA]

So a cousin of mine works retail, Lowe's. He's been there for decades now. They just moved him over to their new HomeCare+ service, which is basically a home maintenance service. So basic home maintenance stuff, such as changing light bulbs, water/air filters, cleaning dryer vents, etc. It'll give him a nice, predictable work schedule and they gave him a brand new $60k work truck for it.

So, any thoughts on what to get him for a flashlight? I was thinking SC31Pro, as it's a good all-around flashlight and has a built-in USB charger, so no extra equipment needed for him. BUT, I can't find any in 4,000K-5,000K. Wurkkos is out of the TS10 Max. They have plenty of CL01 lanterns, but I don't know that I'd want to use a plastic lantern for that job. I'm debating in sending him a Lumintop EDC15/Tool AA 2.0 mutt, but I'm not seeing the Nichia 4000K Tool anymore either.

 

[LEDphile]

If the budget is there and belt-carry is an option (since it doesn't have a pocket clip), Malkoff MDX2 with a hi/low switch, an M61N or M61NL engine, and a USB-charging 18650 would be my suggestion, and I'd probably go with the M61NL for longer run time.

For this application, much of the usage will likely be at relatively short ranges where you don't want huge output. But you will want a decently floody beam, and high CRI will be helpful.

 

[dc38]

So a cousin of mine works retail, Lowe's. He's been there for decades now. They just moved him over to their new HomeCare+ service, which is basically a home maintenance service. So basic home maintenance stuff, such as changing light bulbs, water/air filters, cleaning dryer vents, etc. It'll give him a nice, predictable work schedule and they gave him a brand new $60k work truck for it.

So, any thoughts on what to get him for a flashlight? I was thinking SC31Pro, as it's a good all-around flashlight and has a built-in USB charger, so no extra equipment needed for him. BUT, I can't find any in 4,000K-5,000K. Wurkkos is out of the TS10 Max. They have plenty of CL01 lanterns, but I don't know that I'd want to use a plastic lantern for that job. I'm debating in sending him a Lumintop EDC15/Tool AA 2.0 mutt, but I'm not seeing the Nichia 4000K Tool anymore either.

If work is providing the batteries, get him something compatible with those cells, i.e. very likely AA. I second @LEDphile's Malkoff recommendations, maybe even the 2×AA MDC sporting the higher cri neutral emitters.

If you want a basic (or a backup to whatever you choose), the Mini Maglite Spectrum AA is surprisingly decent. It does have PWM, mind you, but overall it's a solid light.

 

[RWT1405]

If the budget is there and belt-carry is an option (since it doesn't have a pocket clip), Malkoff MDX2 with a hi/low switch, an M61N or M61NL engine, and a USB-charging 18650 would be my suggestion, and I'd probably go with the M61NL for longer run time.

For this application, much of the usage will likely be at relatively short ranges where you don't want huge output. But you will want a decently floody beam, and high CRI will be helpful.

You beat me to it!

I'd get him a M61NL

With the high/low switch

 

[ghostguy6]

I would suggest the Streamlight Dualie 3AA. Its big enough that you will notice if you drop it. It is safety rated in case your cousin works around a gas leak. It has an IP67 rating. The dual magnets are surprisingly useful for hands free work. The side flood light also allows the light to work like a lantern. You can get it in a colour correct version. If he will be wearing a hard hat I would also suggest a headlamp of some sort. If he will also be working industrial sites he may need a fully certified class 1,2 Div 1,2 light which will limit your choices.

I run a Nightstick 2424 at work for maintenance tasks. It is basically the same light just cheaper

 

[dc38]

I would suggest the Streamlight Dualie 3AA. Its big enough that you will notice if you drop it. It is safety rated in case your cousin works around a gas leak. It has an IP67 rating. The dual magnets are surprisingly useful for hands free work. The side flood light also allows the light to work like a lantern. You can get it in a colour correct version. If he will be wearing a hard hat I would also suggest a headlamp of some sort. If he will also be working industrial sites he may need a fully certified class 1,2 Div 1,2 light which will limit your choices.

I run a Nightstick 2424 at work for maintenance tasks. It is basically the same light just cheaper

i've never understood exposed magnets on intrinsic lights. Aren't they ferrous or sparkable?

 

[ghostguy6]

i've never understood exposed magnets on intrinsic lights. Aren't they ferrous or sparkable?

I believe the rating applies to the power source and bulb being completely isolated from the outside atmosphere so if a spark occurs inside the light it can not ignite anything on the outside. Lots of intrinsically safe lights have metal parts on the outside that could conduct electricity but not from the battery of the light itself.

 

[PaladinNO]

So a cousin of mine works retail, Lowe's. He's been there for decades now. They just moved him over to their new HomeCare+ service, which is basically a home maintenance service. So basic home maintenance stuff, such as changing light bulbs, water/air filters, cleaning dryer vents, etc.

Honestly, to me that sounds like prime headlamp territory. For those tasks, I would prefer a handsfree light.

And if we're talking AA-cell support, my first thought was Emisar DW3AA + headband:

Emisar DW3AA 14500 RIGHT ANGLE HEADLAMP

<p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Metal button is glued by deault, if you prefer not to glue it, please send us a request.</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">NTG35 LEDs are recommended for good tint, beam pattern, h

intl-outdoor.com

Optionally the DW4:

Emisar DW4 right angle 1*18650 work light

<p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Metal button is glued by deault, if you prefer not to glue it, please send us a request.</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">NTG35 LEDs are recommended for good tint, beam pattern, high CRI

intl-outdoor.com

In this case, I would also want a metal button for easier operation. Also easier to have the light turn on accidentally with the metal button, I have found, so unscrewing the tailcap when not in use should become a habit.

 

[dc38]

I believe the rating applies to the power source and bulb being completely isolated from the outside atmosphere so if a spark occurs inside the light it can not ignite anything on the outside. Lots of intrinsically safe lights have metal parts on the outside that could conduct electricity but not from the battery of the light itself.

I see...strange design is strange, LOL...they might as well have encased a larger magnet in the plastic to keep it from sparking anyways and still maintain a decent holding power...Corporatized cost-reductive acceptable-risk-based engineering I guess.

 

[ghostguy6]

Without actually reading the specifications its hard to say.

I do know that even 0.4mm of plastic in front of a magnet greatly reduces its efficiency. There is a video on youtube that explains it detail for the 3d printers out there. I will have to look it up when I have the time.

 

[CQ73]

Honestly, to me that sounds like prime headlamp territory. For those tasks, I would prefer a handsfree light.

I'll second this. In my quarter century career, I've been a carpenter who moved into handyman work and is now doing maintenance for an apartment building. It's rarely possible to juggle a flashlight and also work since most things require both hands.

In reality, most of the time I use a cordless drop light which uses the batteries my cordless drill and impact driver use. Every brand makes them, and it's more important to have one which matches your tools and uses the batteries you already have than it is to go for the absolute best one. One bonus is they often have a USB port to charge your phone or other device, which can be really helpful put in the field.

Then, since my transition to the apartment building, I've actually found a ton of use for those LED under cabinet light bars, which often have a magnet on the back. For me they were free since someone threw them away when moving out but they are pretty cheap on Amazon. The big advantage to these is you can stick them into tight spaces so you can see what's going on, and the magnets allow them to attach to appliances like a washing machine or dryer when working on back of them. In those situations, you can't get your head with a headlamp into position to illuminate and see what you are doing. Those things have been a game changer for me.

All that being said, the two actual lights I have found useful in real life at work are the Nebo Big Larry (the kind the lumberyards and hardware stores sell) and the Jet beam Jet-U or similar tiny AAA light. Something that can always be in your pocket is great because you always realize you need a light when you've wormed your way into a tight space and it would take five minutes just to get back out to get the light.