Is the SysLite worth it?
- Thread starter shdesign3
- Start date
McNally Family
Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2016
- Messages
- 613
shdesign3 said:
Yes, the Syslite II:
https://www.festoolproducts.com/Festool-500732-KAL-II-SysLite-LED-Worklamp-SET-w-p/500732.htm
What's new compared to the original SysLite KAL I?
Internal battery is now 2.9Ah, providing longer run time
The number of LEDs has been doubled to twelve in total from six
The new LEDs produce a more white balanced light (5,000 Kelvin)
Magnetic base in which Festool screw and cam clamps can be inserted to hold KAL 2 onto a beam etc.
The magnetic base will hold the unit firmly to a surface and requires 39.6lbs of force to remove it
The metal plate can be screwed to a stud for example and the unit positioned as needed
Emergency light function can be set so that during a power failure the KAL 2 will light up automatically (needs to be attached to the charger and switched on)
Across the front of the lens are now two protective cages to prevent the LEDs being damaged
Includes: SysLite, Wall Charger, Car Charger, Carrying Bag, Magentic Mount 499814
One of the things I like about the syslite is the neutral color output. No color casts you'll see in inexpensive LED's. What I don't like is the limited light output, but it's a handheld portable light, so hopefully you know that going in. I recently bought a tripod style 2000 lumen Milwaukee true view LED, and I'm pleasantly surprised at the lack of color cast, and it's bright enough to light up a room. I think it would take 2 syslites to match the output (a guess). I used it while painting a 16x10 bedroom and I like good light. I found myself repositioning it every 6 feet to keep the brightest portion of the output on my work area. If you have a sizable area to light and need it bright, the syslites aren't well suited bless you're willing to purchase a family of them, otherwise I love them for spot work.
I have both the m12 lantern and an original syslite. They are both great. They both produce a good quality of light. The syslite is a favorite for crawlspaces and difficult areas to access since it warns the user to a low battery. Syslites are also super tough. I also like the syslite for handheld tasks. I don't own any festool batteries, so the M12 has longer run times and appears brighter and is a better option for illuminating the whole room.
Like ED, I also have the 1000 and 3000 Milwaukee flood lights. My only complaint is that I had to make bases to use them on a builders tripod, but with the 5 amp hour batteries, I can use them all day. I really don't understand how factory designers miss obvious tweaks. The new 3000 lumen lamps should have had chargers built in as they can be used with 120V. I keep the 1000 lumen lamp in my van as it is often really hard to see the controls in automatic door headers so I set up my flood on the tripod. I have to go on record as loving my Milwaukees. I have seven of the M12 and seven of the 18V tools and use them all regularly.
I have the metabo flood light and it's extremely good. I had a syslite 1 and while I liked it my battery situation was dismal as I only had a few batteries from an old c12 NiCad.
The metabo though with the LiHD batteries is just on a different level. It gives such bright and wide light that I usually keep it on low. I think it could probably go 24 hours on low with a 5 ah LiHD in it.
The metabo though with the LiHD batteries is just on a different level. It gives such bright and wide light that I usually keep it on low. I think it could probably go 24 hours on low with a 5 ah LiHD in it.
Kev
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2011
- Messages
- 7,698
rizzoa13 said:
I have 3 Syslites, but since I started adding cordless Metabo to my tools I had a peek at the Metabo lighting. I haven't purchased one yet, but I have to say they're tempting - even considering that I already have Syslites.
In the Syslite's favour .. it's nice to have one in the back of the car in case you need to change a tyre or something at night. It's compact form and clever shape make it ideal (as it does for tight in cabinet work too where you need some extra light).
I have a Syslite but bought it reconditioned for 30% off. I use it a lot but, as for being worth the price, I doubt I'd buy it new. With 30% off, it made it close to reasonably priced. It's a lot of money for an LED light. I would imagine there are others out there for much less money and probably just as useful. It is a helpful when I need extra light directed at a particular spot; handy that it's without cord.
S
six-point socket
Guest
shdesign3 said:
Hi!
Could you maybe give us a little more information on what you want to use the SysLite for?
"Better" is pretty random because it can depend on so many aspects like: usage requirements, battery stock, costs...
I'd say the SysLite II is pretty unique in the way that it comes with an internal battery (7.2V at 2.9 Ah) AND an interface to connect "external" batteries from the Festool line-up. It will work with both 10.8 and 18V batteries. Additionally I haven't read anywhere that you must not use the SysLite II when hooked up to the charger. This gives you plenty of options. I do believe that Festool goes the extra mile to "sort"/"rate" the LED's used - otherwise they couldn't be sure the temperature of light is around 5000 Kelvin with is on the upper side of the neutral white spectrum - so compared to other light's you might find that colors appear to be more realistic/true.
It can be mounted to any tripod with 1/4" connector. It comes with a versatile universal spherical head for additional mounting options.
It costs 250,00 USD with spherical head, 195,00 USD without.
It's also not easy to compare to other lights because like I mentioned before - it works with the different types of the slide-on Festool batteries, it has an internal battery and can used connected to the charger (see emergency light feature).
The more I think about the SysLite II - I think I might want to have one to be quiet honest.
I have the afore mentioned Bosch FL12 12V Worklight. It has an impressive output and works with all Bosch 12V batteries, although the 4 Ah battery makes it a bit "wobbly" - I'd recommend using it with the 2.5 Ah batteries. It also has 2 stages of output, can be mounted to any 1/4" tripod. The hook build in to the stand can be used to hang the light, although when not angled it's very difficult to get your finger on the power switch. With the 2.5 Ah battery installed it can even be placed over head and angled down without falling over. Not full range, but a notch or two. If you, like me, have a ton of the Bosch 12 V batteries, these FL12 Worklights are an absolute steal. If you have to buy into the "system" - not so much anymore. Light = 45 USD, 2.5 Ah battery = 49 USD (I'd say you need 2 to get through a day so make that 98 USD) and a charger (from amazon's used & new) runs 20 USD. Total: 163 USD.
I would not spend 163 USD to get into this system just to have one light. Like I said, it's a fantastic product if you're already invested in Bosch's 12 V line-up.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
Then I have Snap-On.
A CTLUH761 which is a stick light that comes with a complete mount to fix it to almost any car hood and works with Snap-On's 7.2 V Li and 14.4 V Li batteries only. It's a great light for the intended purpose as it allows you to work in even a pitch dark environment - and I have the batteries anyway because I use some of the 14.4 V Li power tools from Snap-On. But I would not recommend this to you, it's a completely different animal. Here are some shot's from a review I did on it, mounted to my Dad's mileage beater in a pitch dark underground car park. (No, I don't break loose wheel nuts with a ratchet... [scared] [eek] [smile] )
[attachimg=3]
[attachimg=4]
Additionally I have a 1600 lumens worklight/ floor mounted flood lamp as they call it: ECFFLOOD-UK/EU. As far as I can tell it's sadly NAINA. Internal Li battery provides power for about 6 hrs runtime on high, even more on low ( 800 lumens) and comes with both a charger for line voltage and a car charger. This light must not be run while charging/connected to charger. Otherwise it's one of the best purchases I've made in recent times. Light's up a room easily, last's for hrs, produces very little heat, it's robust (IP44).
[attachimg=5]
Like I said, give us more details and maybe there is a better solution for you than the SysLite II - but if I was starting out right now and had no light. I'd definitely consider the SysLite II.
Kind regards,
Oliver
Attachments
six-point socket said:
I need a light for under the car work or inspection.Preferable with a magnetic so I stick it anywhere.
It will be used everyday.
I am comparing Snap On lights ECFHKY and ECFBP6O. I think I will visit the store to look at festool light
https://store.snapon.com/Compact-Shop-Lights-Shop-Light-Rechargeable-Mini-250-Lumens-P824394.aspx
https://store.snapon.com/High-Output-Rechargeable-Shop-Lights-High-Output-Rechargeable-Shop-Light-6-SMD-LED-Orange-Blue-Point--P824420.aspx
S
six-point socket
Guest
shdesign3 said:
Hi!
I honestly don't see the SysLite II fitting your requirements. The light itself is not magnetic, only the mount is. Without added external battery and mount the SysLite II weighs in at 0.7 kg already so with added mount and battery you'll reach 1 kg, maybe a little more - not what I would want in an "inspection" light. It's also not very ergonomic for continuous "in hand" use in my opinion.
I'm also not convinced that the two Snap-On/Blue Point lights you posted fit the task. Both have a very long charging times, the SO 4 to 5 hrs, the BLP 4 hrs while both will only run for 3 hrs, the SO for 5 on 50%. I don't know how many hrs in total a day you need those but I guess the ratio between using and charging ultimately kills it.
Much better runtime (6 hrs at 100%), although also longer charging time (5-6 hrs): Nebo Tools WorkBrite 2 6305:https://www.nebotools.com/prod_details.php?id=362&cid=16
That's what I would be looking for in the inspection light. Funny thing is, even Snap-On's high-end variant can't compete with that thing in terms of runtime (3 hrs) ->https://store.snapon.com/Rechargeab...High-Output-Bar-LED-Rechargeable-P651149.aspx Runtime info:https://acura.snapon.com/HondaAcura/ItemDetail.aspx?itemId=55901253
For the work/flood light I'd look at a corded variant for everyday use, maybe with COB LED or the SysLite Duo.
Kind regards,
Oliver
jjowen
Member
- Joined
- May 27, 2015
- Messages
- 148
Kev said:
Yeah, like the time I was fitting the draw runners back into a just-completed cabinet late one evening. Fitted the drawer and dang, it would not close properly. Luckily I had my trusty SysLite already on so I could quickly spot the problem. [cool]
I had a catastrophic failure with my KAL-II... the rubberized tag fell off of the 'handle' of the zipper on the nylon carry case; other than than I've been delighted with it and would like a second one.
I've used it in numerous mounting configurations, including on the end of a monopod clamped to a tripod head to make a boom-mounted lamp. It's great in, under and around cars too: I managed a cam-belt/water pump/aux drive belt replacement (not having done one before, I had to read the workshop manual along the way) on one charge of the lamp.
No, it isn't exactly cheap, although numerous friends that have seen it and initially said "How much?!", having seen its performance and versatility say "Yeah, ok… I like that" or somesuch.
As for using it with the charger in use (ie mains powered)... I was pretty sure the instructions specifically said it could be used that way - otherwise the emergency light-up feature (in the event of a power cut) wouldn't work, would it? Or have I misunderstood?
I've used it in numerous mounting configurations, including on the end of a monopod clamped to a tripod head to make a boom-mounted lamp. It's great in, under and around cars too: I managed a cam-belt/water pump/aux drive belt replacement (not having done one before, I had to read the workshop manual along the way) on one charge of the lamp.
No, it isn't exactly cheap, although numerous friends that have seen it and initially said "How much?!", having seen its performance and versatility say "Yeah, ok… I like that" or somesuch.
As for using it with the charger in use (ie mains powered)... I was pretty sure the instructions specifically said it could be used that way - otherwise the emergency light-up feature (in the event of a power cut) wouldn't work, would it? Or have I misunderstood?
mrboult
Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2013
- Messages
- 1,024
I have 2 now, they're great!!
The design, internal battery, long power cord and ability to take batteries is awesome.
But I've no doubt a cheaper one would do the job if you'd rather spend less.
But I was quite annoyed to find out that a spare charger (if your ever loose or break one) costs £65 from Festool!! [eek] [eek]
That's as much or more than a Festool battery charger! Not cool Festool [crying]
The design, internal battery, long power cord and ability to take batteries is awesome.
But I've no doubt a cheaper one would do the job if you'd rather spend less.
But I was quite annoyed to find out that a spare charger (if your ever loose or break one) costs £65 from Festool!! [eek] [eek]
That's as much or more than a Festool battery charger! Not cool Festool [crying]
GarryMartin
Member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2011
- Messages
- 1,975
mrB said:
There's nothing particularly special about the charger. It is a 12V 1.5A unit with (from my measurements) a 4.8mm x 1.7mm DC plug - you can buy them from loads of places for around £10.
