Inspection Lights Product Test

Make working on your classic easier with a quality lamp.

WINNER

Sealey 28-LED inspection lamp
£82.19
Item: LED2807
Contact: 01284 757500, www.sealey.co.uk

We like…
Very bright with 28 LEDs. Nice ergonomic handle and slimline shape makes it easy to use in all areas. Hanging hook folds away when not in use. Operates for eight hours once fully charged. Can be charged via mains – 12-volt adaptor supplied.

We don’t like…
Five-hour charging time. Heavier than some of the other lights on test at 325g. Price score was based on a test price of £45.94.

Length 300mm
Width 44mm
Depth 58mm
Weight 325g

Light quality 4/5
Ergonomics 4/5
Build quality 4/5
Value for money 5/5
Versatility 4/5
Score 21/25

Silverline 30-LED lamp
£21.70
Item: 261135
Contact: www.toolstream.com
01935 382222

We like…
Simple construction and very lightweight. Thirty LEDs give decent range of light. Eight hours’ use from a full charge. Mains charger and 12-volt adaptor supplied. Superb value for money. Three-year guarantee.

We don’t like…
The switch is in the most awkward position it could be – on the back of the handle just where your hand needs to be. Doesn’t feel like it would be the most durable of choices in long-term use. Wouldn’t be an easy light to work by in awkward spaces.

Length 410mm
Width 46mm
Depth 46mm
Weight 225g

Light quality 3/5
Ergonomics 3/5
Build quality 3/5
Value for money 4/5
Versatility 3/5
Score 16/25

Sealey wind-up work light
£42.42
Item: AK3307
Contact: 01284 757500, www.sealey.co.uk

We like…
Wind-up charging makes it perfect for throwing in the boot and using on holidays or club runs. One minute of winding gives 45 minutes of light. Construction feels pretty solid so should last well. Can also be used via a 12-volt socket.

We don’t like…

Very directional light output, and not as bright as some of the others here. Cumbersome when being used as an inspection light – you won’t be able to get this one into awkward areas. You can imagine winding it up, then it going out after 45 minutes just as you’re at a critical point of replacing or repairing something. Scoring was based on price at test of £20.64

Length 270mm
Width 64mm
Depth 64mm
Weight 260g

Light quality 3/5
Ergonomics 2/5
Build quality 4/5
Value for money 4/5
Versatility 3/5
Score 16/25

Laser rechargeable lamp
£101.44
Item: 4168
Contact: 01926 815000,
www.toolconnection.co.uk

We like…
Eight hours’ use from a full charge. Very solidly built and extremely versatile. Magnet on base is strong and, in tandem with the articulated joint, enables you to position the light almost anywhere you want it. Can be charged from mains – 12-volt adaptor included. Good spread of light. Tube containing LEDs can be twisted through 120 degrees to get light where you need it.

We don’t like…
It’s got a wide range of abilities, but it’s undeniably expensive. That build quality means it feels relatively heavy.

Length 343mm
Width 50mm
Depth 46mm
Weight 500g

Light quality 4/5
Ergonomics 5/5
Build quality 4/5
Value for money 2/5
Versatility 5/5
Score 20/25

Ring Automotive RIL2750
£39.99
Item: RIL2750
Contact: 0113 213 7389,
www.ringautomotive.co.uk

We like…
Rugged build quality. Magnets included for hands-free use, making it a reasonable light to work by. Quite slim, so it’s easy to position where you want it, especially in the engine bay. Can be charged via the mains – 12-volt adaptor included. Clever hook / stand mechanism gives good flexibility in terms of how you can position the light.

We don’t like…
Output is very directional and doesn’t offer a good spread of light. Being positioned on the back of the unit, the magnets are more suitable when the light’s being used in the engine bay than underneath the car.

Length 252mm
Width 60mm
Depth 41mm
Weight 275g

Light quality 3/5
Ergonomics 3/5
Build quality 4/5
Value for money 3/5
Versatility 4/5
Score 17/25

Draper 60-LED inspection lamp
£24.99
Item: 40898
Contact: 02380 494333
www.draper.co.uk for stockists

We like…
Simple and effective. The LEDs give a good amount of light. Maximum charging time is three hours, which is shorter than most other lights on test. Can be charged via 12-volt socket or through the mains.

We don’t like…
RRP is pretty expensive for what’s on offer, but you should be able to find it cheaper through Draper’s stockists. Unless you can find somewhere to hang it in the engine bay, it’s not a convenient light to work by, especially when you’re on your back and the car’s at axle-stand height. Switch is seemingly always in the way, making it uncomfortable to hold.

Length 375mm
Width 55mm
Depth 55mm
Weight 300g

Light quality 3/5
Ergonomics 3/5
Build quality 4/5
Value for money 3/5
Versatility 2/5
Score 15/25

Laser fold-up lamp
£38.94
Item: 4349
Contact: 01926 815000, www.toolconnection.co.uk

We like…
Slimline construction means it’s easy to use when the car’s on axle stands and you’re on your back, or when you’re probing around in the engine bay. Strong light from the 30 LEDs. Versatile thanks to magnets on rear, folding design and metal stand. Good build quality. Comes with mains charger and 12-volt adaptor.

We don’t like…
Light is strong but directional. You only get four hours’ use out of a charging time of six hours. Not as comfortable to have in your hand as the circular or slimline models.

Length 275mm
Width 63mm
Depth 47mm
Weight 310g

Light quality 4/5
Ergonomics 3/5
Build quality 4/5
Value for money 4/5
Versatility 4/5
Score 19/25

Draper Expert Slimline
£49.99
Item: 47557
Contact: 02380 494333, www.draper.co.uk for stockists

We like…
By far the best spread of light of any of the units tested. Get it anywhere near the bit you need to look at and the whole area’s lit up. Unbelievably slim (6mm), so you can fit in into the smallest areas – especially useful when poking around an engine bay. Surfaces are resistant to engine oil and chemicals. Comes with mains charger and 12-volt adaptor. Draper claim a 50,000-hour working life.

We don’t like…
No way of hanging it or attached it to anything, so it’s purely an inspection lamp unless you’re flat on your back and have it lying on the ground next to you. It’s not truly cordless – its battery pack is permanently attached via a very long power cord.

Length 300mm
Width 23mm
Depth 6mm
Weight 30g

Light quality 5/5
Ergonomics 5/5
Build quality 4/5
Value for money 4/5
Versatility 2/5
Score 20/25

Nightsearcher LED lamp
£35.23
Item: 010810034
Contact: 0871 410 1250, www.machinemart.co.uk

We like…
Heavy-duty rubber casing is resistant to oil and water. Bright light from 34 LEDs. Operates for five hours from a single charge from the mains – a 12-volt adaptor supplied. Solid build quality, especially at this price. Spindly hook is surprisingly good in use. Fast recharge time of about three hours. Low-battery warning light.

We don’t like…
Light quality wasn’t the best. Okay when hanging or lying flat, but not that versatile when trying to offer something in between.

Length 208mm
Width 53mm
Depth 53mm
Weight 380g

Light quality 3/5
Ergonomics 3/5
Build quality 4/5
Value for money 4/5
Versatility 3/5
Score 17/25

Ring compact LED lamp
£36.99
Item: RIL2550
Contact: 0113 213 7389, www.ringautomotive.co.uk

We like…
Compact design makes it easy to get into corners, and it’s good for when you’re in an awkward position. Strong and should be durable. Hook / stand means you can work by it as well as just use it as an inspection lamp. Comes with mains charger and 12-volt adaptor. Good value.

We don’t like…
The LEDs are bright but don’t offer a wide spread of light. Not the most ergonomic of shapes to hold for any length of time.

Length 185mm
Width 54mm
Depth 36mm
Weight 200g

Light quality 3/5
Ergonomics 3/5
Build quality 4/5
Value for money 4/5
Versatility 4/5
Score 18/25

This product test was originally featured in the January 2010 issue of Classics Monthly.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 at 4:47 pm and is filed under Product Tests, Products. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.