So, I've been on the search lately for some nice lights to illuminate some larger underground rooms in drains that I really haven't been successful at photographing yet. I first went with some GE battery powered fluorescents which were meant to be used as closet lights. They were nice but after a couple uses became sacrifices to the sewer gods when they jumped out of my backpack and down an interceptor tunnel. Also, the on/off switch sucked and loading a lights with 8 AA batteries a piece is not fun. So I as back on the market for some new lighting.
I've since come across some new lights by
Commercial Electric. I think this model might have been released fairly recently as I don't see them anywhere on the internet and CE's own website doesn't have them on there either; only what looks to be an older model of the light.
The light is a 30 LED rechargeable work light. It comes with both AC wall and DC car chargers. Battery life is supposed to be 4 hours on full charge. When charging there is a nice 31st LED which changes from red to green when it's full. The rubber grip is nice; it's really 'grippy'. The glass is supposedly shatter resistant and the polished 'aircraft quality aluminum' is very solid. The weight seems balanced and everything has a nice feel.
I was initially going to try and buy some nice rechargeable fluoro's, but anything nice is like $50 USD and you're lucky if that includes a battery. These caught my eye at $19.95. I purchased one at home depot to test out and took it on a drain excursion. I was very happy how it lit
this side junction room. They're no too cool/blue like some other LED's I've seen. I did find however that the light naturally has a bright spot in the middle of its field. The reflective backing behind the LED's somehow seems to focus the light a little bit even though to the eye it all looks flat. I was able to solve it with two wraps of
Glad Press n' Seal which is a great light diffuser. I also use it on my 2M candlepower spot and some other small flashlights.
After liking the trial run of the light in the drains, I pushed all in and purchased three more of them. It's kind of humorous having 4 of the same charger and instruction manual. The picture was before I wrapped the last two up with the Press n' Seal.
I really like the hex bolt styling on the ends. It lets you lay it on it's side on a slope - very common in drains. Normally with a flashlight you have to rig up some way with the lanyard to keep the flashlight from rolling away. The light doesn't have a hook on it like a lot of work lights to, but It looks like you'd easily be able to lean or set this light in creative places. I was thinking about clothes hanger hooks that I could attach. I don't think not having a hook would be a problem though.
I'll hopefully get some pics of them all in us uploaded this weekend.