Inspection lamps mini test
Is revised slimline Ring a match for Sealey Best Buy?
RING’S first entry in the world off slim inspection lamps is a cracker. The Magflex’s slenderer LED strip is 6cm longer than the Sealey’s, enabling it to penetrate deeper into tight gaps, although it’s not quitete as slim.
It’s also lighter, making manoeuvring anoeuv ring easier, but neither light is hefty. The 250-lumen beam isn’t as bright as the Sealey’s 400-lumen output. However, it’s whiter, reducing the difference. The beam is also a littlettle narrower, but it’s still wide.
There’s a 125-lumen power-savingaving mode, plus a tightly-focused 20-lumen torch in the tip, too. The Sealey has a slight edge on beam and mounting options, with just a hook, base magnet and hinge on the Ring. But the MAGFLEX has an advantage with charging; there are mains and 12V adaptors for the USB lead.
RING has dominated our workshop light tests in recent times, but lost out this year to the new range of slim lamps.
The former champ has been put on a diet, and the result is the new Magflex Slim. We tried it againstst Sealey’s LED 180, our Issue 1,514 test Best Buy. Can it regainegain its crown?
We compared beams, looking for a bright, even and wide light, plus wanted a range of mountingnting and charging options. Power-saving modes were on the wish list, along with charging lights. Maker’s list price wasas the final factor.
There’ s little between these slim inspec ti onspect ion lamps, but the Sealey just retains top spot thanksanks to its variable power mode and long run time. The Ringng is an impressive package and a great addition to any toolol kit. SEALEY keeps its crown, but it was close.e. It had the edge on beam performance, despite a shorter strip of 12 SMD (surface mount device) LEDS. The gap was narrow, with the higher output just edging the whiter 6,000 K colour-temperature era tu re Ring. Instead of a single power-saving mode, a rotary knobb gives more durability and light options. The 1W torch doesn’t shine as far as the Ring’s.
There are more mounting options, withh a hook, plus magnets on the base and rear, while the mid-lampmp hinge offers more flexibility in tight spots because the arm is shorter.
Charging is handled by just a USB lead,ad, leaving you to use your own 12V or mains adaptors. Still, the Sealey has the edge on run time, losing light gradually after around three hours.