gymrat7953 Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 What's the difference between a high lumen led flashlight and the flex swirl finder light? I have a Coast led that looks almost identical to the flex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 mc2hill Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 I am guessing it is the bulb. I also have a Coast, model HX5 that works great as a replacement for the Brinks dual xenon light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 gymrat7953 Posted April 26, 2016 Author Share Posted April 26, 2016 Coast HP7 at 330 lumins ; so it should work. My ride has been in the garage and kinda dusty . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 AvsBest Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 I find swirl finders are a gimmick. Not saying they don't work but you can find identical lights for cheaper. I find that as long as you have an LED light you are fine initial e 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 chops1sc Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Can the light be too bright? I find it difficult to look into a really bright led looking for swirls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 initial e Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Can the light be too bright? I find it difficult to look into a really bright led looking for swirls. In a sense yes it can. I use a Nitecore P12 which has up to 1000 lumens but it also has 3 other different settings. It's not just my swirl finder light but my go to flash light. At full power this thing is stupid bright. http://www.amazon.com/NITECORE-Version-Tactical-Flashlight-Waterproof/dp/B00GZYNX8G I dont remember the price being that much though.... but if you're looking for an all around great LED flash light, I recommend the P12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 AvsBest Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Can the light be too bright? I find it difficult to look into a really bright led looking for swirls. You might have to look at it from an angle depending on the colour. On my car, I have to pretty much set up the light at the rear quarter panel angled towards the rear door and place myself at the front fender then look at the paint to see everything. (If that makes sense) On black, I can look at it dead on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Guest washemup Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Just FYI, the Flex swirl finder light is not made by Flex. It's a Cree light with a rubber attachment that says Flex on it. I have one, it works well but is WAY overpriced. Search Amazon for a 3 way adjustable flashlight around 130-200 lumens, many available from Cree that are priced well under the Flex. I would venture to say this is why Adams does not carry it, as they don't sell rebranded stuff, only originally manufactured stuff. The Flex light is rated at 130 lumens, a high lumen light can actually be too bright making defects difficult to see. When using a handheld light to check your paint, hold it about 12-18 inches from the paint at an angle, also be sure your not competing with other light sources. Darker colors like black and red are easy, lighter colors and metallic will require changing the width of the beam, and switching to low for best viewing of defects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Dylan@RUPES Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 (edited) Your paint inspection light has to cover 3 bases:LUMENS - everyone thinks about a light not being bright enough, but you can choose a light thats too bright and is equally ineffective as it washes out or over-lights a surface for inspection. 140 lumens is a very sweet spot for spot inspection light and will show most defects without overlighting. TEMP - color temperature plays a huge role in seeing defects. No single color temp is ideal for ALL colors, but certain temps are more versatile than others. Many assume recreating sunlight is ideal and it is, for some defects, but for others it will mask it entirely.FOCUS - different defects show better at different levels of intensity, so having a variable focus is so important, especially in a relevant range."Just any LED flashlight" won't do. A flashlight is made to generate light for making dark areas visible, not inspecting defects in paint. It'll do in some cases, but it won't be ideal for paint inspection. Anyone who has used a standard CREE pocket flashlight from the hardware store at some point or another has probably been frustrated when they don't see the defects under the light, but the next day out in the sun they do. Its better than nothing, but its no comparison to a purpose built paint inspection light. Edited April 27, 2016 by Dylan@RUPES rkj4243 and mc2hill 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 gymrat7953 Posted April 27, 2016 Author Share Posted April 27, 2016 Dylan@rupes - Shine Doc ? So the 300 lumens flashlight is too much ? and the wrong color light ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Dylan@RUPES Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 (edited) So the 300 lumens flashlight is too much ? and the wrong color light ? Potentially, yes. One factor we can't always control is ambient light pollution - other sources of light crossing into the space we're observing can impact things. If you are working in an area flooded with light a brighter setup might be better so it can overcome the interfering light sources. We (RUPES) spent a lot of time configuring our lighting systems for the BigFoot Detailing Academy in Milan and have replicated it in Hamburg and soon the USA. Since we are in the business of paint correction at the very highest level we've dialed in our lighting systems to be adjustable for a variety of cars. For our inspection pen lights we took the most versatile color temp (4000k) based on our testing, added variable focus, and a perfect 140 lumen LED. This proves to be the best for the most situations. I dropped one of our inspection lights off with Adam to test last week, perhaps they'll bring it in for you guys. Edited April 28, 2016 by Dylan@RUPES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 chops1sc Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Awesome information, Dylan! Thank you! Dylan@RUPES 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 gymrat7953 Posted April 29, 2016 Author Share Posted April 29, 2016 thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 chevyfreak06 Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 I have the rupes pen and its a very nice tool to have. On my candy red mustang not many lights work but this one shows everything. Like with everything you get what you pay for. initial e 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 initial e Posted May 14, 2016 Share Posted May 14, 2016 I have the rupes pen and its a very nice tool to have. On my candy red mustang not many lights work but this one shows everything. Like with everything you get what you pay for. Mine is a red/orangeish so I went and bit the bullet and bought one off Amazon. It's at least worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 initial e Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 Alrighty... a quick unboxing for those who maybe are interested. I can probably try and test it tomorrow for a full review and comparison against 2 other lights that I used today, which upon my initial observations, may be strong contenders if you don't want to drop the cash on the Rupes light Let me also say this is a VERY well made product and does feel absolutely premium. pics! (ignore my dirty scratched up table ) thanks for looking LFairbanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Dylan@RUPES Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 Congrats. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 GXPaycheck Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 (edited) Amazon has them. $50. http://www.amazon.com/Rupes-LL150-RUPES-LED-Penlight/dp/B00N56DOGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463339358&sr=8-1&keywords=rupes+LL+150 The upside is finding a bunch of swirls. The downside is finding a bunch of swirls. Edited May 15, 2016 by GXPaycheck James__ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Z06Seal Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 (edited) I bought this light that I'll link below a while back for 3 bucks each. It's not a very bright light, but does have an adjustable lens. if the conditions are correct, it works fairly well. condition correct would be in a dark area (like a garage with minimal lighting) it will not work when you're outside (even if cloudy). I use it in the garage so it works for me. that being said, if it doesn't work, put it in your car or something .It's a great cheap flashlight lol. I'll try to take a picture and show you guys. https://www.amazon.com/AMASKY-Flashlight-Adjustable-Skid-proof-splashproof/dp/B01CZRB428/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1465795717&sr=8-14&keywords=led+light+adjustable Edited June 13, 2016 by Z06Seal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 FordFocus897 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 I am looking to get some good lighting for when i polish. Any recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 mc2hill Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 I am looking to get some good lighting for when i polish. Any recommendations? DIY LED light build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Question
gymrat7953
What's the difference between a high lumen led flashlight and the flex swirl finder light? I have a Coast led that looks almost identical to the flex.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
20 answers to this question
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now