any other good swirl finder lights similar to the brinkmann dual xenon?

**BigAl3** · 10-18-2010, 09:22 PM

long story short. dropped one (brinkmann dual xenon) that i had and it broke (barely held a charge anyway). opened up a brand new spare i had and it doesn`t even charge and looks to be broke as well (let it charge for over 8 hours and the plug in adaptor wasn`t even hot nor did the red light come on at anytime). i do not want to buy another (was at pepboys and noticed they don`t carry it anymore) brinkmann and was looking for something that is reasonably priced and will do just as a good of a job or even better. i was looking at this one from griots. any opinions on this or any other recommendations? p.s. if anyone knows of a way that i can fix the new one (i even tried charging it with the other charger that came from the one i dropped to no avail) i just opened, please let me know!

Swirl-Finder Tech Light - Griot`s Garage

Swirl-Finder Tech Light

See What Your Paint Really Looks Like With Our Swirl-Finder Tech Light

A key to successful car care is understanding the true condition of your paint surface. Under most lights it`s difficult to see swirl marks and light scratches. Now you will know exactly what you`re dealing with before you begin your detail therapy session. The superbright, 3W LED light, set into a 2 1/4" reflector, directs a targeting beam illuminating the surface and surrounding area. By looking at the "halo" area around the spot of light you`ll see any imperfections that need polishing. Both the handle and housing feature a soft rubberized coating for comfort and safety around your vehicle`s paint. Your light includes 110 volt wall and 12 volt auto power chargers. A built-in charge status LED lets you know the light is charged and ready for 3 hours of continuous use. It also makes a nice flashlight when the power goes out! Make this wonderful light a key tool in your car care arsenal.

**gmblack3** · 10-19-2010, 09:53 AM

Al, I am using this. For it to be so small they have to use a twist to turn it on/off. It also uses a 123 battery. It is much brighter then the brinkman. It is very close to the flash on my canon camera.

**Accumulator** · 10-19-2010, 10:16 AM

gmblack3a- I just never quite get into using my flashlights for this for some reason :think: I guess it`s just me since so many people do like `em for this application :nixweiss Heh heh, the topic of where to find good CR123 batteries cheap might make for a good thread all by itself! I bought a few dozen Panasonics a while back so I`m set for now, but my wife and I sure seem to go through those things...

BigAl3- I wonder if Brinkman might be of help regarding repairs. Eh, I never find mine all that great for this stuff anyhow, though it`s an OK general-purpose cordless light.

Guess my (corded) incandescent trouble light isn`t what you`re after, nor my oh-so-pricy SunGun either, go I guess I don`t have any good ideas to offer.

That Griot`s might be OK for only $30...isn`t that about what the Brinkman costs? You`d have a bit in shipping if you didn`t like it and wanted to send it back though.

**Rob Tomlin** · 10-19-2010, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

Al, I am using this. For it to be so small they have to use a twist to turn it on/off. It also uses a 123 battery. It is much brighter then the brinkman. It is very close to the flash on my canon camera.

I`m using something very similar to that. These types of flashlights are of much higher quality than the Brinkman, and more versatile too.

**BigAl3** · 10-19-2010, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by Rob Tomlin

I`m using something very similar to that. These types of flashlights are of much higher quality than the Brinkman, and more versatile too.

agreed. i have a little 17 LED flashlight that is pretty bright and shows scratches on just about anything (cd`s, plastics, etc, etc,) and i`m thinking of buying another that is a little larger with more LED`s in it. the brinkmann doesn`t hold a charge over time worth a darn anymore, and i`m through with them...

gmblack3a - thanks bryan, i`ll look into that. hope you`ve been well...

accumulator - called customer service and they won`t accept a return unless you have the receipt in which i don`t as i bought it years ago as a backup. it would of been over the one year warranty anyway...

**gben** · 10-19-2010, 04:58 PM

These smaller types of flashlights are often refered to as tactical lights. Lights that you usually mount on a weapon ie AR15, shotgun. They`re extremely bright and will show any swirls on your paint. The one I have the Fenix LD20 is 180 lumens (now being made in 205 lumens) and will easily light up any room. It`s a high quality light and can be picked up on e bay for $55.00 shipped. Best of all it runs on 2 AA batteries!

I have to edit this to tell you my particular light can also be dialed down for less lumens and also has a strobe effect. Still a very high quality light that serves a multitude of purposes and yet small enough to fit in your pocket or worn on your belt.

**Rob Tomlin** · 10-19-2010, 06:16 PM

Yes, that`s exactly what they are: tactical lights. I love mine!

**Accumulator** · 10-20-2010, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by gben

These smaller types of flashlights are often refered to as tactical lights..

Heh heh, yeah....I was deliberately avoiding the "tactical" reference

FWIW, though I have more SurFire lights than any other brand, I find the stuff from First Light USA kinda handy for certain things, sometimes more ergonomically fitting than the usual flashlight shape.

**Apollo_Auto** · 10-20-2010, 04:06 PM

Yep LED lights are the way to go. I`ve been using an LED head lamp for a long time now because it shows the swirly monsters despite (most) background lights and with a head lamp, you don`t need to muck about with moving the lights when you`re polishing... always right there on your nugget

!

**eyezack87** · 10-21-2010, 01:36 AM

I`m running a Fenix TK11R2 with rechargeable CR123 batteries from Deal Extreme. If you would like info on which rechargeables I bought, send me a PM. I have the specific page of the batteries and charger saved on one of my computers

**BigAl3** · 10-21-2010, 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by eyezack87

I`m running a Fenix TK11R2 with rechargeable CR123 batteries from Deal Extreme. If you would like info on which rechargeables I bought, send me a PM. I have the specific page of the batteries and charger saved on one of my computers

how close does this compare to the LD20 R4 (205 lumens)?

**Accumulator** · 10-21-2010, 11:33 AM

All these newfangled lights are putting out a lot of lumens! Sheesh, my trusty old SureFires sound dim by comparison :sadpace:

eyezack87- How do you like the rechargeable CR123s? I`ve just never (and I do mean *never*) had good experiences with rechargeable batteries but I guess I shouldn`t generalize too much :think:

**eyezack87** · 10-21-2010, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by BigAl3

how close does this compare to the LD20 R4 (205 lumens)?

Never had the LD20 R4 so I can`t say, sorry. My only input to help is that the LED lights generally enable you to see swirls in light cars that halogens cannot

Originally Posted by Accumulator

All these newfangled lights are putting out a lot of lumens! Sheesh, my trusty old SureFires sound dim by comparison :sadpace:

eyezack87- How do you like the rechargeable CR123s? I`ve just never (and I do mean *never*) had good experiences with rechargeable batteries but I guess I shouldn`t generalize too much :think:

They work quite excellently. Since the set I bought comes in a pack of 2, it lasts a very long time. I finally recharged the first one a few weeks back. Lasted approximately 4 months with uses every week on full and half power

**sulla** · 10-21-2010, 10:12 PM

Eyezack light cars you mean light colored ?

Can you guys rely solely on high lumens tactical light to show swirls and waterspots ? I`m trying to decide between 150 MW MH and tactical erring towards the tactical since it`s easier to work with

**BigAl3** · 10-21-2010, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by eyezack87

Never had the LD20 R4 so I can`t say, sorry. My only input to help is that the LED lights generally enable you to see swirls in light cars that halogens cannot

They work quite excellently. Since the set I bought comes in a pack of 2, it lasts a very long time. I finally recharged the first one a few weeks back. Lasted approximately 4 months with uses every week on full and half power

thanks for the input...