Shopping for a Swirl Finder Light

[scandata]

I'm shopping around for a swirl finder in the $50.00 or under range, and had my heart set on the Brinkman Maxfire Dual Xenon Spotlight, but it's on back order everywhere I've checked, and I've read elsewhere that it's been discontinued.

It looks like they've replaced that with an LED model, the Brinkmann 800-2280-0 Tuff Max LED Spotlight.

Has anyone tried this one, or can you suggest another one in my price range?

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

I have the Flex and like it. It didn't come with any instructions, but I learned through use. 1 click high beam, 2 clicks low beam, 3 clicks strobe. It also has a beam size adjustment on top where you pull it out and push it in to get a wider or narrow beam. After you move it around you'll find the best position to see the swirls.

I have since purchasing found this light for a cheaper price by a company named Sarge, this is the exact same light. $29.99 instead of $44.99(Autogeek/Autopia) before shipping or discounts.

http://www.sargeknives.com/store/LED...lashlight.html

If you have overhead lighting in your garage, this light will not pick up swirls very well with the lights on as well, they need to be off.

[j.curt]

Is there anything that will work you can buy from Home Depot, Walmart, Auto Zone, etc....

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by j.curt

Is there anything that will work you can buy from Home Depot, Walmart, Auto Zone, etc....

I don't know of any, I looked at all the one's at Wal-Mart, and they didn't have one similar to this. I suppose you could buy one and try it out, if it doesn't work, take it back for a refund.

[j.curt]

What makes these lights see the swirls? Is it the LED or is it because it is very bright?

[j.curt]

This looks like it would work.

http://www.harborfreight.com/16-led-...ght-96141.html

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by j.curt

What makes these lights see the swirls? Is it the LED or is it because it is very bright?

The amount of light put out by it, to replicate the sun, if the light is too bright, it will just blind you so you can't see them, if not bright enough, they won't show up.

The light your looking at from HF is too bright. You can buy 500w Halogen shop lights on a stand which will work, the only drawback is they aren't handheld, they get hot when left on for a period of time, and moving them around to get the best view is a bit cumbersome.

I had one of these (500w Halogen on stand) I got from Home Depot, I took it back after getting the handheld version.

[scandata]

Originally Posted by Joe M 2012 2SS

I have since purchasing found this light for a cheaper price by a company named Sarge, this is the exact same light. $29.99 instead of $44.99(Autogeek/Autopia) before shipping or discounts.

http://www.sargeknives.com/store/LED...lashlight.html

Cool. I looked into that and searched for it on Amazon. It sounds like the same one by Cree for only $7.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008W1N6A0/...I2RXDQWI2S5XE2
For that price, even if it doesn't work as a swirl finder, it's still a great flashlight.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by scandata

Cool. I looked into that and searched for it on Amazon. It sounds like the same one by Cree for only $7.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008W1N6A0/...I2RXDQWI2S5XE2
For that price, even if it doesn't work as a swirl finder, it's still a great flashlight.

That one should be fine, it's a little brighter at 180 vs 130 lumens, but the focus and high, low, strobe options are the same.

My flex works better on darker colors, light colors like white, yellow, silver, the one's that typically hide swirls better are tougher to see, but adjusting it will give you a decent view on these types of base colors.

[seven]

I got a FLEX and I still find it hard to find swirls or scratches....I don't know if it is the metallic in the paint or just me....the operator not able to see the defects. UGH I had high hopes.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by seven

I got a FLEX and I still find it hard to find swirls or scratches....I don't know if it is the metallic in the paint or just me....the operator not able to see the defects. UGH I had high hopes.

The reflection of the metallic flakes will make them harder to see, I'd try the lower beam and start with it narrow and move it out a little at a time. I recently did a "spot-fix" on a car with grey metallic and it was difficult to get it "just right".

[CamaroDreams76]

I used the flashlight I carry for work. Maglite MagTac. 352 Lumen.....worked great

[My 5th]

Originally Posted by j.curt

Is there anything that will work you can buy from Home Depot, Walmart, Auto Zone, etc....

I got one at Home Depot. 360 lumens, variable focus and low, medium and high brightness. I think it was about $30. I'll look at it to get the brand name and edit this post. Looks to be about the size of the Cree unit on Amazon.

It is a Coast HP7, and it was $39

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Best deal I've found.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FEGYCO..._t1_B003L4BK6U