Is the Icon Light Worth the Extra Money

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Just want to make a correction the icon battery is replaceable by removing a few screws

[@johnnguyen1953]

18650?

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Removing a few screws and you will have to solder wires.

[@1stattempts775]

@@MotorCityMetalArt yeah, that’s a definite deal breaker

[@txmexnittro]

I would carry a Anker battery charger, which I always do, so I’m good That light is killer and small

[@glenntaylor4844]

Wish someone would actually change the battery.

[@cbh148]

This is the first time I've seen the Icon light. Been using the crap out of 2 of the Braun folding lights since 2019. Been great except the slightly older of the 2 would sometimes flicker. Found KZbin vids explaining the ground wire on the board being crappy, and showing how to remedy it. Did that and all was well for the last 8 months until the button recently began intermittently not clicking. When the click goes away, the button becomes ultra sensitive to the lightest touch, causing it to act like it's being pressed. Very annoying, but that could be my fault, so I won't blame Braun. Once I got about 1 min into this vid, I was thinking this Icon must be a replacement for the Braun folding light, and I was all ready to buy one. I especially like that it folds all the way flat. But then I saw that it doesn't have a replaceable battery (at least, not within 15 seconds like the Braun). I have many 3400mAh Panasonic 18650s and a charger that does 6 of them at a time, and to not be able to use for quickly swapping to a 100% freshy on the fly is unfortunately an absolute deal-breaker.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Yea I'm not sure why they went that route with the battery on the icon. Taking it apart and getting to the battery is easy but the 18650 has wires spot welded onto the battery.

[@theundergroundlairofthesqu9261]

@@MotorCityMetalArt I think they want professionals to buy two, keeping one on the charger while the other light's in use. Well, they lost me right there. A replaceable battery that doesn't make the whole unit disposable when it dies someday is one feature that sold me on the HF "Braun" light in the first place.

[@THEPLANETEARTH]

Pop in a 3500mah in the icon and 3500mah in the Braun all night light 😊

[@THEPLANETEARTH]

It can stay on all night lol

[@HODGEPODGEDODGEGARAGE]

I like how the Icon brand folds! That would be handy! 🙂👍 I guess I'm an idiot, I've had the Braun for over 2 years and honestly had no idea it swiveled until now! 🤣 Great job with the comparison. Take care 🔧🔩

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Honestly I think the swivel function on that light is useless so you didn't miss much lol.

[@terrydavis7389]

i really wanted to like the icon, but i think the braun is better in so many ways. thanks for the comparison.

[@laurenciozabala4296]

I have owned the Braun light bar for about two years now and had severely abused it on the original battery, gifted one to my nephew in the navy and he was really impressed with the performance. Just got the icon light bar and got a two year warranty on it to test how durable it is.

[@miguelsalazar3239]

Really no complaint with the Braun. It's very bright, price is awesone when on sale...I have 3, and extremely durable, I've dropped them quite a few times and still shining. 🌟

[@kelkev85]

Thanks for making this, I was going to pick up the icon version but now I know you can’t change the battery and it doesn’t fold in the direction that I would prefer.

[@TexasAndyAquatics]

You can replace the battery you just have to revive a couple screws. Yes a little more annoying but still easy to do.

[@ThanhNguyen-pm7xn]

For the money, the Braun light is the winner for me. Removable battery, swivels 180 degrees and the head spins. Hard to beat

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

The braun light is great. Have you seen the new Braun that just released ?

[@cowcatcher9186]

I’ve owned 2 brauns for a couple years. They’ve been covered in grease, dropped and kicked. I recently bought the Icon. I prefer the brauns so far. I like being able to reach over and tilt the head either way while the Braun is stuck to whatever. So far I don’t think the icon is worth the extra 10-20 bucks.

[@1stattempts775]

Dido

[@cowcatcher9186]

@@1stattempts775 I was browsing harbor freight online, Braun has a new model. More lumens and folds down like the icon but appears to fold both ways. Also now usb-c. And guess what……..it’s $29 just like the old Braun when not on sale. I will definitely buy the first one I see.

[@1stattempts775]

@@cowcatcher9186 we must come from the same toolbox. I just left the store today looking for that new model your talking about 😂

[@cowcatcher9186]

@@1stattempts775 hey just as long as you aren’t shopping the one in Claremore Oklahoma we can be friends. Lol.

[@1stattempts775]

@@cowcatcher9186 no sir, Hampton, VA. What seems to be the busiest HF on the east coast. Because they can’t keep certain items on the shelf.

[@fortis619]

I bought my braun light the month they were in stores , I have abused the heck out of it ,I’ve dropped it and chipped some plastic and it’s still going , although the hinge is going out , Im impressed

[@coolmandude1000]

I have 5 of the Braun lights that are all about 4 years old. 4 out of 5 have defective switches and you have to hit bottom of base to get light to come on. Once light is on they start to flicker and get dull lighting. I have also replaced batteries in all 5 lights. I use for work HVAC contractor and the one that works is still awesome. I just carry 5 fully charged spare batteries at all times. I purchased a stand alone battery charger that plugs into 115 volt outlet and holds 3 - 18650 batteries.

[@IDABAYAREA650I]

*Nice, i bought a pack of 18650 batteries on amazon to keep as back ups, braun really does it for me its super bright and the magnet is awesome, comes in super handy*

[@chrisE815]

Is your issue that the threads for the battery compartment are shot? Alledgely that is a pattern failure if swapping batteries often

[@jsomething2]

there's a conductive Dielectric grease called no-ox. it's cheap on Amazon. just brush some of the battery, just don't short it, you will get a slow drain, but it fucked all my issues with the flicker and cutting off. turns out it's just a bad connection to the battery

[@summerwind4590]

So close harbor freight. 2 killers for me I want to use it as a desk like but on steel columns (so reverse the side the led is on) and I want to be able to swap the battery like the Braun. But i love the food flat feature to fit in a 12” too bag easier without worrying about it getting damaged

[@JorgeGarcia-kj8zs]

Came here from harbor freight's website. Good straight forward review thanks 👍🏻👍🏻

[@rashaadswanson6687]

I think I'mma just get both the Icon and the new Braun folding light. I like that the Icon is a little bit smaller and getting the Braun as a back up as I already have the old Braun light but the new one folds all the way down.

[@towboatjeff]

I like the removable battery on the Braun. I've got a lot of extra 18650's so I've never charged my light with the micro USB charger.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Definitely a nice feature on the Braun

[@ericwagley952]

Me too. I’ve got a large collection of flashlights, and the ones that have onboard charging use USB-C. I’d have to dig out a cable to charge it like that. I just keep some spare cells in my tool box. And I usually leave it on and walk away for a while. So I change them regularly. Not being able to change the battery in the Icon easily is a downgrade imo.

[@nordicpride9708]

Why in the hell do companies still use micro usb? Welcome to the 21st century….. USB-C please

[@loganwork7024]

No idea about the braun, but the icon is awesome. The magnet is so strong you can stick it to a nail hanging off the wall. Its like a portable light fixture its so bright

[@ericwagley952]

Why did they put the large light panel on that side of the icon light? I’ve got multiple Braun ones, and with how I use them, the large side would be mostly useless to me. I don’t usually hang the light. I stick it to something and make it stand up, and point the light downwards. The icon light requires you to hang it to get light downward. With the rotating head on the Braun, you can do either. That plus not being able to swap out the battery on the fly kinda makes me just want to get two more Braun lights instead of this one. As far as brightness goes, you won’t notice 800 lumens being that much brighter than 390 lumens. With how light output works, you usually need 4 times the lumens for a light to look twice as bright.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Agree with you on the placement of the large panel. After using this thing quite a bit. It's not right in my opinion

[@ericwagley952]

@@MotorCityMetalArt it’s like they made it as a hand held light for its primary function, and a work light as it’s secondary function. Maybe good for people like painters, carpenters, etc that need to light up a wall. Bit for mechanic work, it seems like a bad design.

[@ericwagley952]

@@MotorCityMetalArt I just went down to HF and picked one of these up. I’ve built a few flashlights and also modified some. Looking at it, I was pretty sure I could rotate the flat part the light strips are in. Took me about 30 minutes, but I got it. There are two nubs that I had to remove from the black hinge pieces that hold the light bar in. But some little needle nose pliers pulled them out. You may not have to, but my holes wouldn’t all line up when I rotated it if I left it on the nubs. They’re there to align it. There are 4 holes in me metal part holding the light strip. Two on each side. One for the screw and one for the nub on each side. Pay attention to which way you rotate the light strip. My wires were already twisted one rotation, so going back made them untwisted. Going the other way made them too taught and the light wouldn’t close all the way.

[@marekkrepa9982]

Many people like me use it as a regular flashlight so I don't have to deal with folding it every time i use it. You can also take some screws out and rotate that bar 180 degree.

[@mitchhilger5394]

I have a couple of these type of lights. Neither that you show here would work for well for me. I like them to fold in half as the Icon, but it also needs to shine down to the surface where it is attached. Thanks for the review.

[@brad9872]

It does shine down. It has light on both sides.

[@josephabaddi8226]

Can you get a larger capacity battery for extended run time? If so what battery would it be? The Braun dies too quickly

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Yes. I would recommend www.18650batterystore.com/products/molicel-m35a-protected-button-top-battery

[@josephabaddi8226]

@@MotorCityMetalArt thank you 🙏

[@Hellhound6033]

I bought the newer Braun about a month ago, it folds all the way in half and has USB-C now also. I just bought the icon one today, because my Braun one broke at the plastic hinge. Eventually I will warranty it so I’ll have 2 but that’ll have to wait until my next work half.

[@randyvalencia8786]

Stuck at a crossroads on this one. Have had the braun that comes with the interchangeable heads for close to a year now. I’m a mechanic so you can imagine how much abuse it gets. Was looking into the icon one for the brightness and battery life. But man that swivel goin one way is a major bummer. Also i always said man if this thing could have the battery changed out it would be the ultimate light. Now that you have enlightened me (pun intended) I’m probably going to stick with the braun. But def need to purchase a fresh one because I do have the infamous flickering and random shutoff when she gets tapped but other than that she kept me out of the dark

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Randy. Check out the newest Braun they just came out with

[@jsomething2]

there's a conductive Dielectric grease called on-ox. just be careful with it so you don't cause a short but if you brush on a little bit on both ends of the battery, the flicker and stuff all stops. it's just a crappie battery connection.

[@VMTDesign]

Thank you! Exactly what I needed to see in the store.

[@JasonJonesPhotography]

Ive owned a few of the braun lights HF carries. All of them have really been a disappointment once they had some miles on them. ESPECIALLY the braun under hood light. I actually like the light, but it has never really held a charge good since I owned it, and I am going to replace the cheap 18650's (I assume) are inside with some quality ones to see if that helps. That being said, the switches on all the brauns are garbage and get finicky or just break after a few weeks of constant use

[@noahkight8023]

Mine never worked just turned me away bad right out of the box. I use mine for work. I rather spend the cash for one that atleast works.

[@ex8280]

Thanks to your video, I got the Braun today with coupon. The current generation claims 500 lumen, and the head not only swivel, it folds also. If it hadn't folded, I would of gotten the ICON for easier storage. I might just get another one, for the truck.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Awesome. Thanks for watching. They're definitely handy lights for sure I think I like the newest Braun the most.

[@sterlingarcher46]

Bro this Icon is literally a clone of the Unilite IL-950r check it out you gonna be shocked ! The nerve on Icon man ! They made a clone of the Knipex plier wrench and now Unilite , unreal 😳

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Good catch. Just checked it out. That light is exactly the same. But the icon is cheaper. Harbor freight is doing the same stuff matco does. Just rebrands things and hits a different price point

[@sterlingarcher46]

@@MotorCityMetalArt Yeah seems like some factories in the far East ain't bothered with exclusivity 😅

[@kota3233]

ICON steals whatever the other guy is doing just enough to avoid getting sued. They stamp their hand tools and package them almost precisely like snap-on and find it funny.

[@justintx75]

Man, you are right it looks just like the unilite

[@lsteiner]

You nailed it! That is always lousy for the guy that created the original design. I support the real deal whenever I can.

[@cottydry]

The Icon light uses a 18650 battery with a proprietary connector. You can't swap in a std. 18650 unless you solder on the pigtail/connector. (I wouldn't recommend soldered onto Lithium batteries.) The other problem with the Icon is you cannot aim the large light panel downward. (only the smaller mini panel can be pointed downward). For most of my usage I prefer downward pointed light but YMMV. I'd recommend the new Braun 500. IMHO it's a better light and cheaper.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Agree. I have that one too. It's a nice light and takes care of a lot of complaints on the icon.

[@damasonavarroiii9481]

Ohh man I was def excited about the folding head on the icon but maaaaaan not being able to swivel in every direction is kind of a bummer, so I think I’ll stick to brauns for now. I’ve abused about 4 of them lol hope they don’t get taken off the shelf for this

[@TexasAndyAquatics]

If you are so lazy to be only willing to use the swivel function and not be willing to simple turn the whole flashlight (AKA swivel) well good luck to you in life is going to be a bumpy road haha jk but for real the swivel function is useless on a round flashlight in my personal opinion but to each their own.

[@nodoubt46able]

@@TexasAndyAquatics lmao facts man

[@loganwork7024]

Yeah because it's so hard to turn a light?

[@fsj197811]

I saw the same style light that uses a magnetic wireless charging base. VERY nice and if this used it I'd certainly buy one or two. What's the big advantage of USB C ???

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

The advantage for me is that's what my phone uses and that's what I have the most cords of.

[@fsj197811]

@@MotorCityMetalArt OK cool, thanks for the info and have a great evening.

[@scotts4125]

I really liked the Braun until mine broke at the joint. I also have the replaceable head model but never use it since I also have 2 Astro's. The Icon looks interesting just on the size.

[@rogerp4197]

There is a Braun light the does the same as the icon. You have the older model

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Yea came out shortly after this video. I'll be doing a video on it here shortly

[@Coxfame]

How's icon 800 lumes going so far? I wan debating of getting it. I got the husky 350 lumens version, didn't like it.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

It's good. But a lot of times I fine myself wishing it folded both ways like the Braun.

[@privatename8888]

Hf sells a Braun slim light 500 lumens that folds in half. I have both. I replaced my batteries with quality batteries and I carry extras when on the job. My light last easy 4 hours on my batteries.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Definitely will be picking up that new Braun.

[@mrglock2313]

I just bought the icon folding light. The USB just falls out and doesn't hold tight, it also does not even show if it is actually charging or not. I am not impressed with this so far. I think I will have to take it back and exchange it.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Yea that sounds like a defect

[@DeadInsideButStillSmiling]

Well seen as I already own the Braun, I guess I'll go with that one. Other one seems neat though. Good informative video.

[@dominoez21]

Appreciate the runtime test

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Thanks for watching

[@CountryFarmBoyUSA]

If it's a lifetime warranty then that bets the Braun as a 3 year warranty is extra which makes these close in price. The button on my Brauns are always accidently getting bumped and turned on as the button sticks out. How touchy is the ICON button?

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Icon button is not touchy Warranty is 90 days on the icon

[@lsteiner]

Button needs a firm push to activate, seems about the right pressure to me.

[@aidanmorgan6291]

I like how the icon folds in half, however not having the 18650 batteries is a deal breaker for mw

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

It does have an 18650 and it is replaceable unfortunately you have to take apart the light cut the wires and either spot weld or solder them back on. Definitely not convenient compared to the Braun lol

[@gabrieljimenez6855]

Appreciate the early review. Seems like a solid choice, the icon. Did you know this was releasing or just saw it at harbor freight randomly? thinking of calling my HB to see if its in stock.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

I'm always checking the new products page on their site. If I see something that is interesting I'll usually pick it up and do a video on it. Thanks for watching.

[@gabrieljimenez6855]

@@MotorCityMetalArt Nice! have you also tested the bit rachet set? been thinking about purchasing it...

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Unfortunately I haven't been able to get my hands on that one yet. I will as soon as I see it. I did pick this up from Lowes recently. www.lowes.com/pd/Wiha-Wiha-32-Piece-Terminator-Blue-Impact-Bit-Set-with-1-4-in-Ratchet/5000289431 Really liking it and the bits are impact rated

[@xaphan8581]

I haven’t owned the brain one but I do have the icon one and idk if it’s better or not but for the price I ducking love the icon one. It feels good and lights up really good. It also feels really durable but time will tell

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Unfortunately my icon one is completely dead. Not sure what happened going to have to tear it apart and see.

[@xaphan8581]

@@MotorCityMetalArt it’s weird when I bought mine they wanted 9 bucks for basically a 1 month warranty which I’ve bought a lot of icon and they never asked that so I’m wondering why this isn’t lifetime warranty

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

@@xaphan8581 I think because it's electronic. I think the lifetime warranty just applies to normal hand tools

[@brad9872]

Picked one up tonight at HF. Nice light

[@IDABAYAREA650I]

Which one? LOL!

[@TheWinwin4all]

Just got new milwaukee stick 2128-20, same form factor. It blows Braun out of its socks! Three times as expensive but totally worth it.

[@ex8280]

dang, I like milwaukee, but 3x? why not just get the ICON?

[@mr_e_mc2]

Now if the icon was a $100 light I would say go for Braun but at the $10 difference in price that is no contest Icon is a much superior light

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

For sure. When the Braun isn't on sale and is $29.99 I think that's to high of a price for it. That Braun light is properly priced at 19.99 in my opinion

[@nickmusgrove6268]

Usb c wins it for me

[@daveclark8337]

Only a 90 day warranty on HF lights. I realized that the Hard way.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

The low prices come at a cost.

[@Popeye21]

Why did icon put the tiny light on the inside!? The led lights need to be switched to have the big light inside

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Yea I agree. Apparently you can switch it around yourself if you take it apart I just have dove into that yet.

[@smokeyjo7420]

This was excellent. Thank you

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Thanks for watching

[@kestonenloe8551]

I have the snap on version

[@sterlingmaxima101]

I have 6 of them they are fantastic

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Which ones ?

[@sterlingmaxima101]

@@MotorCityMetalArt Brauns. Icons were not out at the time

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

@@sterlingmaxima101 awesome. Glad they're holding up for you.

[@sterlingmaxima101]

@@MotorCityMetalArt ya no issues. One light has a crap swivel out the pack but they exchanged it no questions asked.

[@addicted2tools]

How do you confuse what your talking about 15 times in less than 10 min

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Just like that.

[@lsteiner]

Ask Cheech and Chong!

[@TotallyNuss]

Hell, at that price, just pay a little extra and get the Astro 80SL. Better quality, includes a drop in charger and extra battery.

[@ibrigs19]

Worthless if you can't quickly change the battery and get back to work

[@mcqueenfanman]

Swivel feature is useless. Just another spot for failure.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Yea I'm not a fan of the swivel feature on the Braun because you can just turn the base..

[@wt9653]

That's why they sell black tape to cover the usb port. Both Kobalt and Husky makes similar to Icon folding lights for 19.99. Just not as bright.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Sure if you want adhesive residue all over your light everytime you need to charge it.

[@wt9653]

@@MotorCityMetalArt Better than grease and oil all over it😅

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Much rather have grease and oil over adhesive 🤷

[@wt9653]

@@MotorCityMetalArt If you let grease and oil go into the usb port. You'll be making another trip to harbor freight. You lose! Don't try to win. Your excuses are lame!🤣

[@zell863]

I just thin about icon and braun. Hence went to youtube. Deal breaker is swiveling.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Check out the newest Braun that pivots both ways as well as swivels

[@kooldoozer]

It is not a light. It is a lamp. Lamps give light.

[@MotorCityMetalArt]

Ok

[@Trump-The-GREATEST]

BRAUN is trash! Their LED lights don't last and mostly start to flicker even after the first week of use. Got excited when i saw that ICON came out with their own version at a higher quality when i went to the store yesterday. A must buy the next time there's a sale/coupon!