Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
It’s no secret that LED lights are replacing halogen on the jobsite. Right now you have two schools of thought—cordless and corded solutions—but both still involve LED as the new leader in jobsite lighting. Recently we received a small Coleman Cable L1324 LED power light for review and decided to check it out. We’ve found that LED jobsite lights can take one of two forms: Either they use a series of smaller LEDs, or they go with a larger panel LED and reflector. Coleman Cable (which also markets this LED work light under the Designers Edge brand) opted to go with a forty LED configuration that outputs up to 1244 lumens. Each LED throws at 120 degrees and is set into a flat reflector that combines the output into a single wash of light.
The Coleman Cable L1324 LED work light uses an array of individual LEDs which are a rectangular 5.6 mm x 3.0 mm in size with a surface area of 16.8 mm². Each outputs up to 45-50 lumens at 150 mA when fed 2.8-3.4 volts.
The Designers Edge L1324 LED light is rated for 1,244 lumens of output, and compared to other LED lights we use, that number is about accurate, though the output determinations from manufacturers vary slightly. There’s also a difference in perceived light output from a single LED panel vs. an array.
Addressing portability and construction, the Designers Edge L1324 LED Eco Zone work light is made out of steel (except for the nonmetallic reflector) and has a nice foam padded handle with four rubberized pads on the feet to give it some grip in case you place it on an incline.
The pushbutton power switch has a nice rubber cover to keep it safe from rain and dirt, and you can adjust the angle of the light by setting the tension on the plastic click washer (we honestly have no idea what you call these). Over time I wonder if that will wear down. We set the tension just right so that the light stays where you put it, but a gentle coaxing can alter the angle as needed.
We used the Coleman Cable L1324 LED Power Light for some automotive work we were doing, and loved the gentle and smooth light output afforded by the panel of 40 5630 SMD LEDs. The color temperature is good, and you get a nice true white light rather than a bluewash or yellow cast. In terms of a general work light, you can expect to get a nice wide area covered for internal or external use. I’d imagine plumbers, electricians, and other trades would enjoy a small lightweight product like this to light up an area while they work. It’s not an intense light that will signal a pilot for an emergency landing, but it does provide a decent amount of output. Since it only consumes 16 Watts, plugging this into a generator or temporary power won’t affect the guys using larger power tools who may be on the same circuit.
Overall, I think this is a great light that runs cool and, perhaps more importantly, allows you to set up and take down without having to wait for a halogen lamp to cool down. You can also tip it over and bump it without fear of damaging the LED panel—build quality seemed to be on par with the price and our expectations.
Considering you can pick this up for just over $60, I’d say this is a little bit over an “impulse buy”, and cordless models with integrated lithium-ion batteries are closing in fast. Still, if you’re presently using halogen work lights you definitely want to check out LED-based solutions. They just make too much sense not to consider. Look up this work light the next time you’re in a big box store or shopping online. For more information, check out the Coleman Cable website.
When he's not playing with the latest power tool, Clint DeBoer enjoys life as a husband, father, and avid reader—especially the Bible. He loves Jesus, has a degree in recording engineering, and has been involved in multimedia and/or online publishing in one form or another since 1992.
Clint’s career has covered nearly the entire realm of audio and video production. After graduating at the top of his class with an Associates Degree in Recording Engineering, he began working for the famed Soundelux studios in 1994, one of the largest post-production companies specializing in audio for feature films & television. Working on a myriad of feature films, Clint honed his skills as a dialogue editor, foley editor, and sound designer. Years later, he moved into the expanding area of video editing, where he served as the company’s senior AVID video editor for three years.
Working for such clients as Universal Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, NASA, Universal Studios, Planet Hollywood, SEGA, NASCAR, and others, Clint DeBoer dealt extensively with client management as well as film & video editing, color correction, and digital video & MPEG compression. He also carries several THX certifications (Technician I and II, THX Video), and is ISF Level II Certified.
After founding the CD Media, Inc. publishing company in 1996, he went on to help start or grow several successful online publications, including Audioholics (as Editor-in-Chief for 12 years), Audiogurus, and AV Gadgets. In 2008, Clint founded Pro Tool Reviews followed by the landscape and outdoor power equipment-focused OPE Reviews in 2017. He also heads up the Pro Tool Innovation Awards, an annual awards program honoring innovative tools and accessories across the trades.
Crediting God and his excellent staff for the success of what is now the largest power tool review publication in the industry, Clint DeBoer hopes to see continued growth for the company as it rapidly expands its reach. Pro Tool Reviews critically reviews hundreds of hand tools, power tools, and accessories each year to help inform users about the best and newest products in the industry. Reaching everyone from the construction industry professional and tradesman to the serious DIYer, Pro Tool Reviews helps tool consumers shop better, work smarter, and stay aware of what tools and products can help put them at the top of their game.
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I have the L1318, and was just using it, to work on the car. I love that it runs cool, for those times where you need to get light right down in where you are working, without worrying about burning my arm.
Wow! It’s a creative product. How can i get this LED power light? and accurate cost?
Why choose? Ryobi has a hybrid that works on their 18v batteries or with an extension cord
I have a small one like that but halogen. Not only is the bulb more expensive then the light but you could weld with the high temp it produces. I prefer my Bosch.
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Professional Tool Reviews for Pros