How Good is the SnapOn® Flashlight? (3 Year Review)

We got a Snap-on® rechargeable flashlight about 3 years back and we’ve used it A LOT. It’s a great flashlight. Nothing’s perfect - so what needs to be improved?Show more

#flashlights #snapontools #rechargeablelight

We use this light quite a bit, so that tells you that it works well in a variety of conditions. It’s a great handheld flashlight, but it really shines (see what I did there?) as a stationary unit that can be attached to any ferrous (iron-based) surface and the light directed where you need it.

It is magnetic both at the bottom and side of the unit. You can turn on the end light (like a typically hand-held flashlight), or turn that off and use one or two sides of the wand light that can be extended out the side of the light. Using a combination of magnet sources and which light you are using, it’s pretty easy to get an area illuminated.

At a price point approaching $200, it better be good - and it is. But it would only be worthwhile if it is used ongoing, and serves well in a variety of work conditions - including where there is a lot of dust, mud, grease, or grime. With the rubber moldings covering the unit, it makes it quite durable so it can be wiped down or cleaned.

Its shape resists rolling, like off a car hood. If it does roll, the magnetic side is likely to grab.

It is charged using a standard USB-C cable. When charging, the status light will flash green. When fully charged, it is solid green. When the charge in the unit is getting low, or you are drawing a lot of current (when both sides of the wand light are on), the status color will be yellow. It holds a charge well, and in over 2 years, we’ve seen only a slight diminishment in the charge capacity.

What do we think could be improved? One thing we think would be an improvement is if the status light would flash when the charge is getting really low and charging is needed right away. The new version description says that it has a power level indicator, so perhaps that has been resolved. Also, as it is now if you swing out the wand light, the front light can’t be used. I’d like the choice to use the front light when it is pivoted and I want more of a spotlight directed at what I want to look at. It’s not a deal-breaker as far as I’m concerned, but it would be a nice choice to have.

If after all the benefits we’ve stated, this is still too much, there are alternatives. This is a professional unit, and it’s build shows it. We’ve had several viewers who are mechanics write and tell us how much they use this light and highly recommend it. Since it is an industrial model, it has an industrial price.

There are “knock-offs” out there and they will work well for most homeowner settings. Pure economics dictate they won’t last as long, but that may be okay. Another approach is to use a headlamp device. They are getting better and better and put light where you are looking. There are several models and companies out there, and depending on the type of work you do, that may be the right choice for you.

Light output is 600 lumens using a single side of the light wand, and 800 lumens when using both. The single-end spotlight puts out 300 lumens. For comparison, a 100-watt light bulb emits about 1600 lumens, a 60-watt bulb puts out about 800 lumens, and a 40-watt bulb produces about 450 lumens.

To get one, you can visit https://shop.snapon.com/product/Articulating/Dual-Sided-Flex-Light-(Green)/ECARD062G.

THE BOTTOM LINE? You’ll need to make the determination if your investment is worth it for this tool, but one thing is for sure. Great lighting, conveniently “on tap” when and where you need it, sure makes it easier to JUST DO IT YOURSELF.

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