Just noticed the other day my flourescent bulb trouble light is getting a little worse for the wear. I would like to replace it with something very bright and with no heat. What is out there today that seems to be the best thing currently on the market?

I have one that uses LEDs instead of a normal bulb or flouresent tube. They stay cool and the package claims you can even run it over without damaging it. The one I have is long and thin and fits into tight spaces, much better than my old one. The only drawback so far is that it isn't shielded much, and sometimes the light shines in my eyes as much as on my work.

I also have an LED - much safer if it were to drop and explode around gas/fumes etc. It's also rechargeable which makes it totally portable.

This thing saved our rears when we lost power for days last summer. The LEDS draw little power so it lasts for hours and hours!

....having no cord to drag around really helps too!

I've tried them all, but I keep coming back to my good old fashioned incandescent

INCANDESCANT-wow thats a pretty big word!

I have all types - LED, incandescent and fluorescent. I use them all, but for different reasons. These days, the LED is my first grab -- its light, bright, small and no cord. But for more light in tight spaces, where I need to aim it, or for longer periods, I grab one (or both) of the incancesdents. And when I want a lot of light over a broad area, but can sacrifice getting into tight spaces; or around anything dripping liquids, its the florescent. I also use the florescent for general background light and supplement with he more versatile LED.

A lot of shop/garage/car fires have been started with incandescent bulbs because of the heat.
The Father of a friend of mine burnt down his auto repair shop, left the trouble light on inside the car on the seat.

A bunch of years ago, a guy was working under a car with a drop light and gas from the gas line dripped on it. The shop burnt to the ground and he died. Still to this day no body shop is in that town because they re-zoned it.

I actually prefer the flourescent over the LED style, but I have both and the cordless LED works great when working inside the car.

75 or 100w rough service bulb in the old fashioned shop light has been working fine for me for over 25 years. I've got another one older than that.(backup).

I do pay particular attention to where I leave it when it's on as it does generate some heat and I have come back to find it smoking once in a while, but have never had it start a fire. Usually it's when oil has dripped on it. Or if it is left on the carpet too long.

I guy at work has a rechargeable LED troublelight. Its fantastic. Tons of light, and can also be aimed. I don't know how long it holds its charge, or how long it takes, but it was about $40 from the Snap-on truck. Daren

Thank you all for the info. I think I will try one of the cordless LED lights this time. I still have my old incandescent hanging in the garage nearby in case I need it but after hitting the metal part of that thing with my hand a couple of times after it had been on for a long time (frying an egg comes to mind) I try and avoid using it. Did anyone ever have it laying behind you and you kept inching backwards until you smelled burning hair and realized it was yours? I like the idea of not dragging that cord around and having it get caught on everything in the garage also. Thanks again, you guys are the best.

I still use my incandescent bulb, too. I chuckle every time I turn it on. Back in the early 90's I was replacing a fuel pump, (when they bolted to the side on the engine), and the Snap On guy walked in. He started yelling at me about the drop light. I told him it was ok because I had back far enough away from the gas and fumes.

He just shook his head and said, "Just remember, when you hear VOOF!, it's too late."

I have an LED. I still have a flourescent one on a reel too, but don't use it as much anymore.

I got the LED type from Sears last december for $15 and it works pretty well. It has a magnet to stick it to the car if needed and the light itself can be rotated to several positions to suit the situation.
I think Andy meant INDECENT , not incandescent.

I like the LED recharchable, stays cool and puts out enough light for my old eyes, I have the BOB syndrome you know Blind Old Bast**d.

I've tried them all, but I keep coming back to my good old fashioned incandescent
Oh, God, yes.

Fluorescent trouble lights make me CRAZY. They're bulky, they flicker, and they hummmmmmmmmmmmm, and the color spectrum of most of 'em is terrible. It's like they have "mood rays" that spray out of them, I turn on some fluorescent lights and I get angry--edgy--uncomfortable. Some are worse than others. It's weird as all get-out. And they broadcast RFI, too. The only thing I'll say for them is that the shadows are less pronounced because the light source is larger. I do have fluorescent overhead lights; and they HUMMMMM and flicker; but I have tubes in them that start when cold and also provide a decent light spectrum.

LED lights--I guess I have only seen cheap ones--I don't know. They're bulky and again, the color is bad. At least they don't HUMMMMMM and flicker. Have the neighbor kid hold a BIC lighter five feet away. You'll get more light. And it'll have enough red in the spectrum.

GOD BLESS INCANDESCENT; just like Edison intended. I may be a "transistor" man when it comes to audio; but I'm GLASS AND FILAMENTS out in the shop... (sorry, Tom: Couldn't resist...) Yeah, the shadows suck; and yes, I've melted a door panel with 'em.

I threw away both of the corded 13w florescent lights I had and now all i use is LED lights . We have only had one problem with them so far !!
They tend to get lost in the shop . (no cord to follow)

I have an LED shop light. It's pretty sweet, but it's not right for every job. When looking into tight places, it seems to cast a lot of stark shadows into recesses that are not in direct line with the light. That's when I reach for the old school drop light.
I've found that a "good" CFL with the proper color temperature in an old style drop light does wonders for durability and heat issues. The current CFL has been in my light for 3 years now. I tried it as an experiment after my son asked if it would work better than a Rough Service bulb. I bought RS bulb at the same time, "knowing" that the CFL just wouldn't work out. It's still on the shelf.:yes:

I've used 100 Watt rough service bulbs for years but awhile back I ran out and while I was at the hardware store, I asked if they had RS bulbs.
The guy suggested to try a CFL, he said he has been banging one around and it has lasted a long time plus they are not hot.
I started out with just one 100 watt and really did like it so I bought several more.

It's great to not keep burning myself anymore. :hurray:

Yeah, Schurkey, hollow-state shop lights.

I live in the Phx area, I can't begin to count how many times I've been burnt bad by 100W incandescent work lights. Working in the heat, dripping with sweat and get one of those things up against my arm. Instant blister.

Now I've gotten used to working with one of those head light things, most excellent. Amazing to me how long those AAA batteries last.