gift for a plumber?

[emptysubs]

Hi all,

Thanks for taking a peek

We had a plumber out to the house last night with whom I am very impressed and to whom I am very grateful, both for the excellent job he did and the reasonable rate he charged. I'd like to do something nice for him.

While working at the clean out next to the house it became painfully apparent that this guy needs a new flashlight (he was using a cheap Rayovac incandescent that barely lit the ground at his feet). He ended up leaving his light at my house and I'd like to buy him a new one.

What would you guys suggest in the $15-30 range that's bright, tough (maybe even waterproof) and doesn't require expensive or exotic batteries? I was thinking about a Streamlight Propoly 4AA. Maybe something from Pelican or PrincetonTec instead?

Thanks for your time and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

M

 

[lightfet]

I think a headlamp will be wonderful he can work in the dark with both hand free to perform his job.

 

[BlueBeam22]

I recommend getting him the Task Force "60x brighter" 150 lumen CREE $30 from Lowes.
It runs on 2xC batteries, so it is quite a bit smaller and more compact than the light he was originally using (if what he had was a 2D flashlight), yet approximately 5 times brighter than any cheap 2D incandescent.
It has a great runtime of several hours, and the C batteries make it very convenient.

It has an extremely bright perfect round beam and a good amount of spill, and it is pretty tough and durable as it is all-metal with a rubber grip. It has the throw to light up objects 100 yards away, and is bright enough that it can light up a small room or area without shining it directly on the spot where illumination is needed.

I both own and know of many other larger lights (2D and larger) that are brighter with more throw than the Task Force, but IMO they would be very cumbersome for a plumber compared to the Task Force, since the Task Force can fit in a pocket and is featherweight and easy to hold.

I guarantee if you choose to get him this light he will be very impressed and happy with it. Also, you don't want to get him something so bright that it is blinding at close range, or something with too tight of a beam.
I have owned my Task Force 2C for several months and use it all the time, and have never had any problems with it.

 

[:)>]

I am gonna recommend taller underwear or jeans with a higher waistline

Maybe an Inova X5 w/white LED's very good for close up work, durable, water resistant, long running and it reeks of quality.

 

[mr.squatch]

Lol, I was going to say, most plumbers need a belt as a gift I agree it needs to be LED and hands free would be a plus. Minimag with a terralux tlex5 is always in my go bag and gets used a lot. Right at the 30 dollar mark too :thumbsup:

g

 

[Bradlee]

Maybe an Inova X5 w/white LED's very good for close up work, durable, water resistant, long running and it reeks of quality.

I think emptysub's probably right on the standard batteries only qualification. There's no point in buying this guy a decent light if it's just going to sit in a drawer as soon as the batteries die.

Streamlight's not a bad way to go. You might want to consider their Stylus Pro as well.

 

[BIGIRON]

D or AA batts for sure. Even C's can be a problem sometimes.

There's some good bargains on Mags and clones at Lowes and Home Depot right now. Even tho we know other lights are "better", a Mag is often perceived as the best light and certainly will serve well in hard use.

SL 4AA Propoly is my toolbox light along with several Energizer headlights scattered around. And please get other than black or camo so he can find it in the dark!!!

 

[american lockpicker]

I recommend a 2C Maglite(its lighter than a D one), AA Pelican, or if you want to go really light weight a Photon Freedom Micro.

 

[VillageIdiot]

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14909

 

[Gunner12]

Maybe the Romisen RC-N3 Q5 could work?

The Propoly 4AA Luxeon is a good light with a pretty narrow beam. The Incan version is similar(throw and lumen wise) but has less runtime.

The Lowe's TaskForce light could work too, just make sure it's the 60x brighter one.

 

[divine]

He might have that light cause if he drops it down a drain, he won't be crying about it.

It's tough to guess a light when you don't know what he looks for in a light.

Maybe a small light with a paracord with a floaty on the end.

 

[Timothybil]

He might have that light cause if he drops it down a drain, he won't be crying about it.

It's tough to guess a light when you don't know what he looks for in a light.

Maybe a small light with a paracord with a floaty on the end.

I'm going to tie in something from the Combat Training Exercise thread - pick something reasonably small and light and put a lanyard on it. Make it long enough so that he can use it in his hand without choking himself, but if he drops it or needs to let go for a minute it will still be there. Or a leash with a clip on the end so it can be looped around a belt or clipped to a belt loop (shorter that way).

I lean towards the Stylus Pro. Should be bright enough to see what he's doing, light enough to lip it if he has to for a minute, and clips to a pocket or fits into a screwdriver slot on his pouch. Give him an 8-pack of AAAs to go along with it and he's golden.

 

[Tec40]

A Streamlight Argo headlamp mightwork. I'm a apt. maintenance man,and my new favorite light is the Romisen RC-F4 Q5 that I just got from shinningbeam.com. It is a real bright,small,well made,and real inexpensive flashlight. Or,you might want to get the(already mentioned) RC-N3 Q5. It runs on 2xAA's as well as CR123's. Shinningbeam is AWESOME!!!! Bryan's customer sevice is great,and the shipping is fast.

 

[kevin_d'marie]

How about a streamlight stylus pro?

Small and more than enough for a plumber's job.

 

[Braddah_Bill]

I Know a couple of repair guys and they always mention they want something "Simple to use and takes AA batteries."

They really like the form factor of the Mini Mag, but just hate the output. This may be a little over budget but a very nice *work light*

https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=335




Bill

 

[nikon]

I'll go with a yellow Polypro as well. It's small enough for the pocket and bright enough for any use he might have.

I also think a headlamp is an excellent choice. If I were on my back under someone's sink I can't think of anything I'd rather have.

 

[mdocod]

Fenix E2O

 

[Black Rose]

One thing to consider is how bright of a light does he really need?

If he's inside under a sink, 100+ lumens would be blinding.

 

[Ecko]

Maybe the Romisen RC-N3 Q5 could work?

This is perfect for him. It's cheap, bright and runs on 2XAA or 1CR123A.

 

[DonShock]

Home Depot has a Husky brand 2D light with a Cree LED that is pretty good for $25. I work the night shift at a water plant and I use one as my main light. Big "fins" on the tailcap provide for very stable tailstanding that would be useful when working under a kitchen sink. A nice tight spot that would be useful looking across the full length of a house if inspecting pipes in a crawlspace. Pretty good sidespill for general illumination.

Here's a prior thread regarding this light.