Tool Review SABER 700-lm COB LED Rechargeable Tube Light The bright light produced by this unit helps these reviewers work efficiently under the hood. by Josh Smith, Contributing Editor When working under the hood, a technician must be able to see in order to be productive. According to Eric Moore and Phil Fournier, the SABER COB LED Rechargeable Tube Light projects ample brilliant light where it’s needed most. “It is very bright, and bright lights help pinpoint problems faster than hunting for problems that could have been illuminated with more light,” says Moore, co-owner of DeMary Truck in Columbus, Ohio. “The light is incredibly bright with a reasonably long battery life,” adds Fournier, owner of Phil’s Auto Clinic PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: The SABER 700-lm COB LED Rechargeable Tube Light, No. ATD-80377, is bright and durable. The SMD LED top light provides an additional 50-lm flashlight function. This light is designed to hold up in tough shop conditions because of its heavy duty, rubberized handle and impactresistant, ergonomic housing. It is IP54 rated for dust and water resistance, and it features two removable swivel hooks with strong magnets to allow hands-free use. The Li-ion rechargeable battery provides three hours of continuous runtime with consistent light output. Circle 229 on card, or enter at “e-inquiry” on VehicleServicePros.com in Hemet, Calif. “It is the best light for broad underhood lighting that I have ever used, in a very compact setup.” The only setup required is fully charging the light. Then, Moore says, it’s very easy to use, noting the device utilizes a single-button on/off switch which toggles the light between pinpoint, low and high settings. In addition to the charger and a single-page instruction sheet, the light comes with two clips with magnetic backs as well as swivel hooks that allow the light to be hung in the work area. “The previous lights we tested did not have any mounts, but were plenty bright," Moore says. "This one has it all." Fournier also appreciated the mounting options, noting he used the tool to troubleshoot modules or wiring deep in the engine compartment where he could not see the wiring colors. He also used it to light up a BAS module located in a difficult-to-see fender area, as well as troubleshooting cooling fan connectors in a poorly lit location. “It also worked great for doing a valve adjustment on a Honda Odyssey minivan,” he adds. “For an old guy like me with bad eyes, the brightness is both necessary and very helpful,” Fournier says. “I like the fact it also can be used as a flashlight with a beam on the end as well as the side – though I mostly used the side lighting.” Impressed that the battery life lasts nearly five hours when fully charged, Moore points out that the SABER Tube Light can be used with the AC adapter plugged in, too. While the magnetic mounts held up well, the plastic clips eventually became loose and Moore used a small dab of epoxy to keep them in place. He suggests adding a Velcro strap as a possible improvement. Replacement clips are also available from the manufacturer. Other than this improvement, Fournier says he was impressed by the SABER COB LED Rechargeable Tube Light, overall. “I was a little worried about durability,” he explains. “But so far the light has been dropped several times and is holding up okay.” 80 PTEN OCTOBER 2016 www.VehicleServicePros.com
Professional_Tool_And_Equipment_News_October_2016
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