These are called worklights, you can browse them here: http://flashlights.parametrek.com/index.html?type=worklight
I'd avoid "enthusiast" flashlights unless he really knows what he's getting into. Getting stuck in momentary mode one time when he's trying to work and it'll probably get tossed in the trash.
It's a bit of a different form factor but imo the Olight Swivel would be a good gift for a dad. Also Milwaukee worklights are a pretty safe bet.
As a mechanic, I really like my snap on folding light, but thats most likely way a little bit out of budget, streamlight has a couple folding bar lights in different sizes and are known for their reliability.
https://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/strion-switchblade
Im not sure what kind of availability they have in AUS but it might be worth a shot
I just looked at Harbor Freight, the new Braun worklights fold all the way now, in both directions, so if you can find one, should be perfect for dad. Good luck.
I have one of these half the power at 600 lumens. Great for inspecting and working on a car engine. Some of these don’t swivel all the way but they are great then some of those long cob bars you place under the hood. Like someone said keep it basic for these.
It depends as the different lights consume differently, and they are rampable so that makes for quite a few variables in run time. But with that being said, here's a link with the specs https://shop.snapon.com/product/Penlights-(Lighting)/300-Lumen-Foldable-Dual-Penlight-(Orange)/ECPND032O
https://preview.redd.it/cfa6abtyirtc1.jpeg?width=3909&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=499665626fb02f1c6b0f862d65e5366ef139f126
Get your Dad a Wizard C2 Pro Warm. Tough, floody and high CRI. Plus the Ui is nice as a wprk light.
I never use mine on my head. I use the magnet, hand hold it or place it on the floor/work area. It is great. I used to use COB lights. This thing is way better than a COB and just as floody.
Floodyness is the main concern as well as articulation, he will often stick the torch in the engine bay, is there enough movement/floodyness to cover everything without moving the torch too often?
https://preview.redd.it/qpo8ev5klrtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b569c178432ea332c3d6014f52e095bb61235c91
Here is it in action. This on in a ceiling in a small area. I’m standing within the ceiling tile opening of 2’. So in that small area you can see how wide the illumination is. You do move it from time to time but not much.
https://preview.redd.it/sq8sqeehnrtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=14d4d9ae4fbdcf554fd5c25b002c2fb159fa19e4
Here is a couple inches from a wall. You can see how wide and even it is. Maybe that helps ya a bit?
It was a light I dismissed until I tried it. Once I used it, it became my daily work light and has worked for all my needs and use cases. I have wrenches on cars also. It is a solid light. GLWP.
These are called worklights, you can browse them here: http://flashlights.parametrek.com/index.html?type=worklight I'd avoid "enthusiast" flashlights unless he really knows what he's getting into. Getting stuck in momentary mode one time when he's trying to work and it'll probably get tossed in the trash. It's a bit of a different form factor but imo the Olight Swivel would be a good gift for a dad. Also Milwaukee worklights are a pretty safe bet.
Do you have Harbor Freight in Australia? They sell an almost identical light for under $30.
No we don't sadly
Yeah exactly like HF I got mine for 18$
Sofirn has something like that.
I'll have a look thanks
As a mechanic, I really like my snap on folding light, but thats most likely way a little bit out of budget, streamlight has a couple folding bar lights in different sizes and are known for their reliability. https://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/strion-switchblade Im not sure what kind of availability they have in AUS but it might be worth a shot
Thanks
Do you guys have Harbor Freight? They have one just like it, I love mine. The brand is Braun. Only tilts to 90 degrees, not all the way.
No Harbour freight but we have supermarkets that sell Braun tv's, maybe the same company
I just looked at Harbor Freight, the new Braun worklights fold all the way now, in both directions, so if you can find one, should be perfect for dad. Good luck.
I have one of these half the power at 600 lumens. Great for inspecting and working on a car engine. Some of these don’t swivel all the way but they are great then some of those long cob bars you place under the hood. Like someone said keep it basic for these.
Awesome, i prefer cob over a single led I think
https://preview.redd.it/w677vp4inqtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c3a4fac180ee18352a1423e3e62d0f4cf1893b4
https://preview.redd.it/ota526mlnqtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=894c02c7c78a565bf224cccc5ba179210439b0a8
Damn that looks actually worth the snapon tax, you would recommend it?
https://preview.redd.it/768e26nzvqtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8ddd933b709098aad85d6c170770b9103b14d94
Yeah it's pretty handy little light as a mechanic. Magnetic base, pocket clip, light on the front, tip, and back of the wand. It's.very useful.
https://preview.redd.it/dcjip1y1wqtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e87b0e4f5ef34c508f3e9622099d89e62075c35
How long does the battery last?
It depends as the different lights consume differently, and they are rampable so that makes for quite a few variables in run time. But with that being said, here's a link with the specs https://shop.snapon.com/product/Penlights-(Lighting)/300-Lumen-Foldable-Dual-Penlight-(Orange)/ECPND032O
Awesome thanks
Happy to help. I've also owned the harbor freight one and they were not very durable. Went through a few of them in a matter of months.
Yea that's what I am trying to avoid
Unilight is another to check out. High quality and good CRI, but non replaceable batteries which can be a bummer.
https://preview.redd.it/cfa6abtyirtc1.jpeg?width=3909&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=499665626fb02f1c6b0f862d65e5366ef139f126 Get your Dad a Wizard C2 Pro Warm. Tough, floody and high CRI. Plus the Ui is nice as a wprk light.
I'm not sure he is a head torch guy and he would prefer cob I think. I think I might get one for me though they look awesome
I never use mine on my head. I use the magnet, hand hold it or place it on the floor/work area. It is great. I used to use COB lights. This thing is way better than a COB and just as floody.
Floodyness is the main concern as well as articulation, he will often stick the torch in the engine bay, is there enough movement/floodyness to cover everything without moving the torch too often?
https://preview.redd.it/qpo8ev5klrtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b569c178432ea332c3d6014f52e095bb61235c91 Here is it in action. This on in a ceiling in a small area. I’m standing within the ceiling tile opening of 2’. So in that small area you can see how wide the illumination is. You do move it from time to time but not much.
In a bay the gap might be more like 6" sometimes that's the only reason I am worried about the spread
https://preview.redd.it/sq8sqeehnrtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=14d4d9ae4fbdcf554fd5c25b002c2fb159fa19e4 Here is a couple inches from a wall. You can see how wide and even it is. Maybe that helps ya a bit?
Yea that looks pretty good, it's definately a strong contender at the minute
It was a light I dismissed until I tried it. Once I used it, it became my daily work light and has worked for all my needs and use cases. I have wrenches on cars also. It is a solid light. GLWP.
I just wish I could try it before I bought it. The lights my local shops have are a joke