Soldering irons rated

Rechargeable, gas and mains versions tested for car DIY

“A soldering iron can be used for basic electrical repairs or adding accessories”

EVEN when cars are full of complex electrics, a soldering iron is a handy tool. It can be used for basic electrical repairs, adding accessories and, with practice, ‘stitching’ broken plastic bumpers and panels.

In our last test, the best gas iron was the Laser 3410 and the top mains electric version was the Draper 71418 (since replaced by the 85356). We put the established Laser and latest Draper up against Sealey’s new iron – the rechargeable SDL6.

We soldered a spade terminal, hooked up a speaker and stitched a crack in a plastic bumper, plus checked tool temperatures. Marks were given for effectiveness, ease of use, accessories and online prices.

The Laser balanced power, portability and accessories. The new Sealey was good, but didn’t quite hit the mark. And while the Draper is basic, it’s fine for limited work, if power is nearby.

Price: £25.99 Beam: 92.9 per cent

Contact: www.philips.com/automotive Rating: ★★★★

RECOMMENDED OUR winner in H7 form in 2016, and although it had to settle for a podium finish this time around in the H4 test, the Racingvision remains a top performer. One of the two bulbs we sampled was right on the legal limit in the photometry test, which measures light output rather than the beam, and that brightness could be seen in the light tunnel. This was also reflected in the 50 and 75-metre result, where the Philips was only topped by the remarkable GE Megalight. Quite big differences between the two Polish-made bulbs hurt the Philips product’s overall chances, but it was still a podium finisher in the other two tests.