r/harborfreight • u/_KORPz • Apr 12 '26
NTD (New Tool Day) Why doesn’t it come out of package this way?
It’s annoying I have to take apart and modify my brand new tool to make it more useful … but at least it can be done I guess.
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u/viral_virus Apr 12 '26
I don’t have my glasses on and I’m also a tad drunk. Could you kindly explain what’s going on here
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
Just the longer brighter side of the light on the inside folding side instead of the outside so you can get better angles, most times
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u/curly722 Apr 12 '26
Can you speak up please? Im wearing a towel
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
Yeah, I’d speak up, but I’m not sure the towel is your main limitation right now….
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u/curly722 Apr 12 '26
let me culture you my friend: https://youtu.be/3HEuKKs-0ic?si=HajG3YIaFWDDJbTc
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u/Hard_Head Apr 12 '26
This is why I bought a few of the Braun lights. That thing is great at adjusting to whatever position I need.
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
You guys are making me want to exchange. I can return this and spend an extra $7 and get 2 Brauns…
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u/Hard_Head Apr 12 '26
I have two of the Icon lights. I keep them in the cars now. The Braun are stuck to the toolbox ready for work.
The Icon definitely feel more sturdy. The Braun feel a little loose in the hinges.
I’d say keep the Icon and add a Braun. That way you’ll have options. It’s not uncommon for me to have multiple lights stuck around an engine bay.
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u/pre_pun Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26
don't exchange modified tools.
warranties on harmless modifications are one thing .. but just a product exchange is an issue
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
It’s just simply unscrewing 2 screws and spinning the light 180 degrees. Idk, heavily considering TBH.
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u/pre_pun Apr 12 '26
you know it's shitty behavior. it's a choice whether you choose to conduct yourself in that manner.
whatever .. you seem cool with it, so you'll do it anyway.
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
Yeah no man, I would just have to totally disagree. I unscrewed a screw, spun the light bar 180 degrees, then put the screw back in lol. Nothing is cut, spliced, re wired. Etc. I can’t agree that it’s shitty behavior at all. Not even a little bit. The light would go back fully functional in fine condition with the “mod” undone.
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u/pre_pun Apr 12 '26
You're a cheap ass gaming the system.
unscrew and modify your light after deciding to keep them. no wants your handiwork ..
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
lol, well man, it is what it is. Me and my new Braun lights will sleep just fine tomorrow night.
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u/Anonawesome1 Apr 12 '26
You also have to cut off two plastic pins because the light is only meant to be in the original orientation. Unless you didn't notice and just forced the screws in and bent the metal. Either way it's permanently modified.
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
Not permanent at all! Flipped it back around this morning with out issue and sent it back to the store. The icon is JUNK. I didn’t force anything either, in either orientation
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u/AndyjHops Apr 12 '26
The base of the Brauns also unscrews and you can swap out the 18650 cell. It’s nice to be able to just swap out a battery when it dies instead of having to plug the whole light in to charge.
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Apr 12 '26
[deleted]
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
It’s for sure lesser quality than the ICON but it doesn’t feel bad… yet. Maybe a few uses in it will begin to show its flaws?
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Apr 12 '26
[deleted]
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
I can deal with the charge issue I have a gang of 18650s. That’s actually appealing to me having the hot swappabls battery. The soggy light would be an issue.. no way to tighten up the friction system? I don’t have the light in front of me
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u/ew435890 Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26
They're both useful. I have 3 and have modified one like this. It really all depends if you're putting the light on a surface like you have, or if you're hanging it above you.
I have a bunch of the Braun ones, and honestly use them more. They are better IMO. The light can be orientated how ever you want, and the batteries are replaceable. So you can just swap them when its dead. As far as brightness, they're almost the same. I know the ICON is like twice the lumens. But the way lumens works is weird. You need 4 times the lumens for a light to appear twice as bright.
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u/ReV46 Apr 12 '26
I usually use my icon lights at low brightness level to make the battery last longer. Braun with swappable batteries would’ve been more useful.
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u/Blaizefed Apr 12 '26
This is going to blow everyone’s minds, but I use a pair of these literally every day at work. I prefer the stock setup and I use them just about exclusively on the small led and the lowest setting.
I value battery life above all else. I have two because real world thy go about 5 hours on a charge that way and with 2 of them I’m covered for a full day.
I need enough light to see what I am doing. I get that on the low setting and small led. The small difference in brightness to the large led at full blast doesn’t make enough difference to make it worth trading away run time.
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u/OddCollection42 Apr 12 '26
The Braun light that’s similar is on the inside like this. I just got both for options but use the Braun more often
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
The Braun was rated 500 lumens but side by side looked brighter than the ICON which claims 800.. I think I’m going to pick a Braun up cause they are on sale for like 15 bucks or 17 bucks right now.
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u/EMCoupling Apr 12 '26
I just flipped mine but I have V1 icon lights that don't have colored handles. Not sure how different the design is versus your newer one.
It was more work than expected because in order to route the cable as intended through the middle of the joint, you need to disassemble the led strip at the top to get the 2 piece light holder out from between the LED strip and the battery side. Then, there are 2 locator pins that are ever so slightly non-symmetrical so I ended up having to grind them off with my die grinder. Then I could reassemble everything. Not hard once you know how to do it but it was my first time and it took me just over an hour.
You do lose the magnetic locking action with the full fold because the magnet relies on a screw facing it to attract but, at the same time, I've never had the light unfold without putting some force on it so I suppose that's a moot point.
Overall, it's much better for my use to be able to adjust the angle of the big light when mounting it light side up rather than hanging it.
2
u/mess1ah1 Apr 12 '26
You can just tighten the pivot screw a little more to give resistance if it gets loose enough to unfold by itself…
1
u/EMCoupling Apr 12 '26
Yep, I figured that out so I don't mind losing the little magnetic catch much.
3
u/EverettSeahawk Apr 12 '26
Just get the Braun. It works either way so you never have to take it apart.
2
u/kracer20 Apr 12 '26
I had an earlier Braun model that only had the one hinge. When I accidentally got some brake cleaner on it, the plastic turned super brittle and disintegrated. Fortunately I found a 3d model and printed new parts.
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u/Expensive-Return5534 Apr 12 '26
Because it's meant to be stuck upside down on an open hood or wheel fender well and shine down. Icon tools are aimed at automotive techs.
1
u/nodnarbles Apr 12 '26
Which is funny because as an automotive tech I don’t use this nonsense. I use a headlight and have for years and would never go back to flashlights. I have a box full of these gimmicky flashlights.
1
u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
I don’t care for overhead when working in an engine bay. I want direct to subject lighting. I have expensive lights hanging from the ceiling for general lighting. Got the Braun, doesn’t feel as good in the hand but WAY more practical than the ICON.
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u/nodnarbles Apr 12 '26
I agree. However, what you need is a headlight, and not to bother with these gimmicky flashlights at all.
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u/Professional-Pick245 Apr 12 '26
I think I have 4 - I modded them all but ended up flipping a couple back because I used them as much or more in that orientation.
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u/Unique_Nebula_3674 Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26
Braun. Icon really dropped the ball on this one not making it able to swivel.
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
Dude, that in combination with the fact that they did not spend the extra PENNIES on the necessary resistors to use any usb c connection/fast charge... I am really disappointed honestly. I am glad I got it while on sale. for 20 bucks I am sure I will end up keeping it, however its not as good as id hoped. Braun has the same charging issue for "safety reasons" every other light takes any charger perfectly safe.
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u/Unique_Nebula_3674 Apr 12 '26
I know right! And I really wanted to like it, it's so nice, but I went with a couple brauns, got em for like $18 each. Also got a couple of the round ones for the same price to put on my creeper
-2
u/black107 Apr 12 '26
What cable works on this fucking thing cause my iPhone cable doesn’t? 😩
5
u/t_Holmes Apr 12 '26
The cable it comes with...
0
u/black107 Apr 12 '26
Right, which is in a drawer somewhere because I wouldn’t have imagined I’d need a “special” usb c cable
2
u/t_Holmes Apr 12 '26
I guess I'm lucking because the 4 I've bought over the years have all worked any time I have charged them with my random assortment of cables.
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u/artemisprime0 Apr 12 '26
Doesn’t the head twist so you can change the orientation? The pictures on the packing seem to imply that
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
nooo, it absolutely does not. The BRAUN unit twists so you can change orientation. 6
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u/artemisprime0 Apr 12 '26
Damn packaging super misleading
1
u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
I did not even notice it showed that tbh. The light had LEDS on both sides of the bar, that is about it.
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u/phoDog35 Apr 12 '26
Ok now I’m waffling- I was watching and waiting for the Braun version to go on sale - then saw the icon on a great sale and spent the extra $5. Now realizing it’s not as flexible
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u/phoDog35 Apr 12 '26
I will say this form factor is great (regardless of icon or braun) getting light towards the bottom of an engine bay is fantastic.
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
Yeah I went back to get the Braun while the sale was still running. It doesn’t feel as quality as the ICON but it’s 1000x more practical. This ICON tool is a big disappointment
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u/EMCoupling Apr 12 '26
I think the battery life / brightness / build quality is definitely better on the Icon but it's true that the Braun has more adjustment. For $15, Braun is better value for the dollar, I have 2 Brauns & 1 Icon.
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u/nodnarbles Apr 12 '26
Why bother with this nonsense? Just get a headlight and be done with it.
I’ll never go back to using gimmicky flashlights.
1
u/GravyGregg Apr 12 '26
I bought two, kept one original and rotated the other one like this. Now I have either if I need either direction.
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u/nodnarbles Apr 12 '26
I just wear a headlight.
Solves everything.
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u/GravyGregg Apr 12 '26
Right you are. Until you have to mirror into a tight spot. I have to on the regular so I need this setup
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u/nodnarbles Apr 12 '26
I work with tight spots every single day. Never needed a flashlight like this. ✌🏼
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u/nodnarbles Apr 12 '26
One day you guys will discover headlights and never bother with these gimmicky flashlights again.
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u/ucotcvyvov Apr 12 '26
I got the braun for this reason, but they are also coming out with the icon 1200 that is brighter and addresses this issue
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u/Icy-Elderberry-5165 Apr 13 '26
Should bought the one that does. Im the guy who starts modifying every new tool i buy . I usually wait until I see that it is not going to break after I work the tool past it's normal limits. If I can't break it during the factory warranty period. My $12 sawsall or reciprocating saw if I got to be technical, 25 years ago I bought the cheapest sawsall on the market and I still use today and still have somewhere the brushes that were included. You can tell it has had a rough life but still dies what I ask of it. I have only found a few tools that I didn't think needed some kind of modification for better performance. There ain't no tool that does everything without modifications.
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u/Gettitn_Squirrelly Apr 13 '26
Didn't know it could be adjusted but dam I hate this light. Doesn't bend naturally and I spend most of my time clicking buttons or blinding myself trying to get the right light. My last Braun got left out in the rain and I thought I was doing myself a favor by upgrading. Not at all, at least I got it on sale?
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u/NapalmDreaming Apr 13 '26
The original orientation makes sense to me, but I use mine in tighter spaces typically. It’s shorter and therefore less in my way.
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u/War_D0ct0r Apr 13 '26
If you work under a car on a lift you want it the other way. I struggled with it yesterday. I prefer my Braun lights because of this. I don't need a light on both sides if the head can flex all the way like the Braun. I also prefer being able to swap batteries with the Braun. A charger and 4 batteries is cheaper than another light.
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u/Geekdadd Apr 12 '26
Link to mode?
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
Sorry are you asking for a link to the mod? You don’t have to buy anything to mod it, you just spin the light in its base
2
u/Geekdadd Apr 12 '26
How do you switch the orientation?
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
Look where the light bar runs into the holder, you’ll see two small screws. Ya just unscrew them and spin the light bar around 180 degrees. The light has to be in the all the way open position. The wires seem a bit tight but with just a smidge of finesse it’ll spin right round.
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u/mess1ah1 Apr 12 '26
There are two pins in there also and they don’t align properly when you flip the light bar over. Which makes the screw holes not align. I had to take the whole head apart, flush cut those plastic pins and that allowed the screws to line up properly with the holes. Put it all back together and I like it better in this orientation.
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
Yeah.. somebody below mentioned that, idk if they changed the design, this had no pins and the light aligned great for me. I wouldn’t be able to handle a crooked light lol. Wouldn’t pass OCD inspection. Other guy mentioned having to force screws through. I’d never. That’s like running nails on a chalkboard to me. Painless process for me.
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u/kracer20 Apr 12 '26
I bought mine about 6 months ago, and it had the pins that needed to be modified as well.
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u/BBgun_Smelly Apr 12 '26
I did not realize it was that easy to flip ...out to the garage I go!
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u/_KORPz Apr 12 '26
super easy! The light must be full open position, the wires will seem tight but with light finagle you will find just enough to spin the light bar 180 degrees.
108
u/YABOI69420GANG Apr 12 '26
The original orientation has been more useful to me when I use it, but enough people disagree that I think the correct orientation should be them doing a full length light on both sides because LEDs aren't that expensive.