Have had one for maybe 20 years. Assuming this is exactly the same (it looks it), it's okay but could be better, modernized.
It will work to get down in an engine bay to pick up a dropped bolt, and the telescoping shaft is better fitting, sturdier than on many generics, but I am disappointed in the flashlight.
It uses a tiny incan bulb that barely produces any light, maybe 4 lumens. It is powered by either 2 or 3 pieces of 1.5V button cell batteries in the head, which is an excessively thick bulky raw aluminum with big crude threads. The head is quite large for the amount of magnetism and light it produces - by today's standards, 20+ years ago this was about average.
I thought about modifying mine to run an LED around 2W, and higher capacity battery but there's no easy route to do so and keep it tiny, self contained, and durable enough for automotive work.
I'll keep using it but will be holding a flashlight in my other hand instead of depending on the one built in.
On the other hand, a light with all the features and durability I want is going to cost a lot more than $7.
Have had one for maybe 20 years. Assuming this is exactly the same (it looks it), it's okay but could be better, modernized.
It will work to get down in an engine bay to pick up a dropped bolt, and the telescoping shaft is better fitting, sturdier than on many generics, but I am disappointed in the flashlight.
It uses a tiny incan bulb that barely produces any light, maybe 4 lumens. It is powered by either 2 or 3 pieces of 1.5V button cell batteries in the head, which is an excessively thick bulky raw aluminum with big crude threads. The head is quite large for the amount of magnetism and light it produces - by today's standards, 20+ years ago this was about average.
I thought about modifying mine to run an LED around 2W, and higher capacity battery but there's no easy route to do so and keep it tiny, self contained, and durable enough for automotive work.
I'll keep using it but will be holding a flashlight in my other hand instead of depending on the one built in.
On the other hand, a light with all the features and durability I want is going to cost a lot more than $7.
^ Can't recall, didn't keep receipts for tools like that since it was lifetime warranty w/o one and back then it was all paper, though I'd guess somewhere between $10 and $20. Odds are it was on sale at the time... :P
Comments & Reviews (4)
It will work to get down in an engine bay to pick up a dropped bolt, and the telescoping shaft is better fitting, sturdier than on many generics, but I am disappointed in the flashlight.
It uses a tiny incan bulb that barely produces any light, maybe 4 lumens. It is powered by either 2 or 3 pieces of 1.5V button cell batteries in the head, which is an excessively thick bulky raw aluminum with big crude threads. The head is quite large for the amount of magnetism and light it produces - by today's standards, 20+ years ago this was about average.
I thought about modifying mine to run an LED around 2W, and higher capacity battery but there's no easy route to do so and keep it tiny, self contained, and durable enough for automotive work.
I'll keep using it but will be holding a flashlight in my other hand instead of depending on the one built in.
On the other hand, a light with all the features and durability I want is going to cost a lot more than $7.
so.... how much was this 20 yrs ago?
Thank you!