Craftsman is soon releasing a new Nextec accessory that makes us wonder why no brand has come up the idea sooner – an extra capacity lithium-ion battery pack with built-in LED flashlight.
We do not discuss this often, but we’re quite fond of Craftsman’s line of Nextec power tools. These 12V compact cordless tools are typically well designed, durable, and pack enough power and features for light and medium-duty DIY applications.
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The new battery pack features a 1.6Ah capacity and can be used as a drop-in replacement for older/lower-capacity Nextec batteries. The integrated LED light is operated via a red pushbutton switch and can be used with the battery attached to or separate from a Nextec tool.
The new higher capacity Nextec battery with built-in LED flashlight will be available starting in October 2012, and will be priced at around $35.
We don’t imagine that the LEDs will be super-bright, but there are times when any flashlight output is better than nothing. Overall this seems like a great idea and we’re eager to see how it works out. Hopefully the new battery will be bundled with Nextec kits in the future, but for now it looks to be a standalone accessory.
rob says
This is very tempting, for whatever reason I tend to collect flashlights. I really like my Nextec tools. I am a big fan of the R/A impact driver, never thought a tool could be so handy. My only complaints, they tend to discontinue some of the tools too quickly and the auto-hammer just isn’t nearly as useful as I had hoped it’d be.
James C says
Great idea. If I hadn’t already bought into the M12 line I would strongly consider Nextec.
I wonder if someone could mod one of these with a high power LED (guessing these are dinky 5mm ones).
Stuart says
There are 6 bright white LEDs and they appear to be permanently fixed in place.
Jerry says
Clever idea. One can’t have enough flashlights, especially ones that don’t have dead batteries.
Besides, how many of us, have dropped a screw or bracket while under a cabinet, deck, or similar, and had to crawl out from underneath, get a flashlight, crawl back under, find what we dropped, and then grab our driver, and attatch it. I was thinking about the Nextech tools, and this may actually be what pushes me over the edge, to getting some.
tom says
Nice! I have to agree, its one of those ideas that makes you slap your head and wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself. I have a Nextec G2 drill and will definitely be picking up one of these. The drill is already awesome and having a battery like this is just icing on the cake. 🙂
Stuart says
Minor update: I’m told that flashlight runtime is about 18 hours.
MartijnD says
Would be even nicer if they would supply an adjustable deflector so the light can be used for workpiece illumination, a small mirror on a pivot point…
Stuart says
That might be nice, but would also significantly add to the manufacturing cost. The LEDs here are more of a convenience, almost like a just-in-case light source, and probably not meant for frequent use. Ergonomics would certainly be an issue if users treated this as a conventional worklight.
DANNY ANTHONY says
how do much does it cost . Can you pleese tell me how much it cost because i am realy inturested in it okay.
Stuart says
Still priced at $35, sometimes less when on sale.