Milwaukee Tool has announced a new RedLithium USB LED neck light, model 2117-21.
Neck lights are typically used for hands-free illumination, as an alternative to head lamps or mounted worklights.
Milwaukee says that their new LED neck light delivers premium lighting for inspection work and general tasks, providing durability and adaptability with complete light head adjustability.
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The design is straightforward. There are two light heads, left and right, with a pushbutton control on the right side. The battery box is at the rear.
Both light heads can be independently angled, with a 90° vertical articulation range.
The neck light has 3 output modes, delivering a maximum of 400 lumens of Milwaukee TrueView high-definition output.
You can expect for up to 2-1/2 hours of runtime at high brightness with a 3Ah RedLithium USB battery. The batteries can be quickly swapped for prolonged operation.
Or, lift the dust flap and recharge the neck light via USB-C.
Milwaukee promised that their future lighting products would recharge via USB-C, and they made good on this.
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Milwaukee press materials add that:
The Neck Light is designed to supply the best-in-class lighting on the toughest and messiest job sites.
The Neck Light is designed to supply the best-in-class lighting on the toughest and messiest job sites.
The Neck Light is IP54 rated, designed to survive most chemicals found in automotive body shops, and impact resistant for drops up to six feet.
- High: 400 lumens, up to 2.5 hours runtime with 3Ah battery
- Low: 250 lumens, up to 8 hours runtime with 3Ah battery
- IP54 dust and water resistance
- Weighs 0.5 lbs
- 90° vertical adjustment range
- Sweat-resistant band
The kit comes with 3Ah battery and a USB-C charging cord.
Price: $99.97
ETA: November 2022
Use coupon code TOOLGUYD for $10 off $79+ at Acme Tools. One use per customer every 30 days.
What are your thought on rechargeable LED neck lights?
See Also: Here are Other LED Neck Lights
Frank
for about the same money you could get a serious headlamp like a zebralight H600 or a nitecore HC35. these both use common 18650s (or 21700s for the nitecore light) and put out huge amounts of light more than this thing.
Stuart
Headlamps don’t work in all environments or for all applications. They can also be very bulky, especially when talking about 18650 or 21700 sized batteries.
Frank
the zebralight i listed is half the weight with battery (4.4oz) and it’s 3.85″ x .95″. the rest is just a fabric strap. I feel like it would work for most applications you would use a ‘neck light’ for, unless something prevents you from putting a fabric band on your head.
Mr. C
Not as bulky as this thing, which uses an 18650 inside a proprietary big red battery case.
eddie sky
Headlamps (I use a Blackdiamond brand) are small, and easily run on single AAA. You can be crawling, upside down under a car or in crawlspace and not be encumbered. But the issues can be when working with others as you aim light where you look. With these Milwaukees, you can turn your head and talk at someone without blinding them. But I see if laying down, they won’t stay on neck. Would be neat if Milwaukee had design to strap across the front to wear on a hat/helmet, but at 1/2 lb, that’s fatigue there.
In other Milwaukee news, I am pressed to find any M12 magnetic LED lamps. I think the nearest HD has a few in stock, but all the online vendors are out. Some revision/new lamps coming?
jay
AAA headlamps just don’t provide the sustained brightness, but if you’re just using it for quick checks…. I got hooked on head lamps first using a Coast AAA unit.
My MWKee headlamp has become my full time go to light source for almost every project. I have on battery on charge while running the other, I will use the light continuously all day long. It’s so great not to re-aim a light everytime I look at something else.
MM
In my experience Headlamps vary greatly in durability as well. I’ve owned some over the years which I used only for outdoor activities and thinking about it there is no way they would last in an auto workshop environment. This looks like it’s better suited to that application.
It’s awful pricey for some plastic, an on-off switch, a battery, and two LEDs though. The profit on this compared to $100 drill with its gears, motor, chuck, etc, must be insane.
bort
Lol, grasping at shill straws there, bud.
Stuart
Me: Here’s a new banana.
Them: Apples are so much better.
Me: There are times people don’t want apples, they want a banana.
You: Shill straws!
Rob H
All right, I snort-laughed.
Bonnie
They’re not any bulkier than this neck-lamp thing.
KokoTheTalkingApe
That’s true, but in all the environments and applications I work in or on, I’d prefer a headlamp, and I imagine my situation is not unusual. So I don’t think they’ll sell many of these.
But not only that, I can’t IMAGINE a situation where somebody would prefer this neck light over a headlamp. Maybe there are helmets or isolation suits or something that don’t work with headlamps? Or you absolutely have to have the longest run time (and can’t swap out batteries)?
But maybe Milwaukee has a better imagination than I do. It seems like they’re trying to fill every possible niche in the tool world, which isn’t a terrible goal to have, I’d say.
BobT
I am always getting crap for being “the Milwaukee rep” at jobsites because (let’s be honest here), I am a terrible mwke fanboy, and just about everything i use is red and black. But I will take a hard pass on this neck light.
Like Frank, I’d suggest a multifunctional headlamp. The zebra light is nice, but my personal preference is for the Skilhunt h04rc. Love, love, love this little light! Color-accurate LED, only a little bigger than an 18650, hours of use on a single charge, and durable as hell. I’ve dropped this thing from some decent height, convinced it would be dead, but it just keeps on going. I use this light almost everyday, in a wide variety of conditions that regularly kill other lights and it just keeps on going.
It can be used as a headlamp, but i more often clip it to a nail (attics, basements) or use the magnetic tailpiece.
This light is seriously some of the best bang for the buck I’ve found, and when it dies you just throw another 18650 in it — I carry a few in a case in my tool bag — no waiting around for a battery stuck inside a device to charge.
For some use cases i see the appeal of this neck light, but the Skilhunt is around $60 or $65, and offers far greater flexibility. I probably sound like i work for Skilhunt — no relationship except my being a customer and being seriously surprised and pleased with the quality and durability of their product.
Nathan
I don’t get the neck light thing either but they are commonly marketed to mechanics. LIke someone one day took their wife’s book like and took it to work one day.
EZred makes one that I see alot of – or clones of – or such. and my one issue with the milwaukee would be why didn’t they go with the memory metal flex arms as opposed to the hinge joint.
Only one I’ve seen so far that does this as opposed to flex arms that hold position and are more maneuverable. BUt I like the replacement battery aspect of this.
Lance
Before Milwaukee released their proper USB headlamp I purchased the USB hard hat headlamp, which turned out to be very uncomfortable to wear on my forehead. Solution? I hung it around my neck, and when used on flood mode works great. It doesn’t work laying down, but no neck lights do.
Now I have the proper USB headlamp and hard hat neck lamp, I’m all set. I have also worn the hard hat version around my leg for additional lighting. I find another light source really works nicely combined with a headlamp, which tends to hide all shadows and reduce depth perception.
Rog
One hundred doll hairs?!
Chris
I guess I’m in the camp of “$100 seems like an insult, because it’s a newish category of light and it’s Milwaukee”.
There are better lights for the money and a neck mounted light mostly looks like a gimmick.
Nathan
OH and meant to include. I love and use headlamps. Under car or in aircraft it works well. ONLY issue I see is when the headlamp might interfere with the need to use something like a bump cap. BUT – I have to assume that’s rare.
I have had no issues that I recall. I use both Coast and Petzl units at the time.
Collin
I think a chest mounted light would be a nice option to further flesh out the line of Milwaukee lighting products.
Headlamps–I’ve used them, and they get pretty hot in the summers. Some headlamps are better than others but either way it’s like wearing a heated headband.
Neck lamps: good idea, but like another posted said, what about lying down?
Chest lamp: less of a heat issue. Can be used lying down, as I imagine a chest lamp to be strapped around your chest. Does not blind people unlike headlamps. Maybe not the best option for working overhead while standing up but would be nice for general purpose illumination at night.
Bonnie
They have a pivot-headed flashlight that would fit into a breast pocket/holder. Though the reviews aren’t great.
Or are you thinking more like a running lamp?
Collin
Yes, like a jogging light.
Frankly a headlamp is just one too many things to go on the head.
If you’re working under a car, then you need at the minimum safety glasses. Probably some hearing protection too, especially if you’re using impacts and value your long-term eardrum health. Maybe even a respirator in some cases. And then you throw a headlamp in on top of all that? Way too cumbersome.
A chest mounted lamp or a neck mounted lamp does help to cut down on the number of things that go on the head.
Mark M.
Maybe this is a “don’t knock it ’till you try it” kind of thing but…..huh?? My version of mechanic work usually involves moving around, being on a creeper, etc. I’ve got a $25 Petzl headlamp that has never failed me and if I’m going to be stationary then I’ll set up a magnetic or hook work light. I don’t think I’d give you $20 for a neck light, much less $100. Hard pass.
AlexK
I wish my heated vest (or any vest) had an option for a chest light. I clip a right angle light on my belt when I walk, but I would love not having anything hanging on my belt, head or in my hand.
AlexK
This style light is something I’d try for $14.95 if coast made one and sold it Christmas time.
Gregg
$100! No thanks
Hepdog
My petzl reactiv headlamp was $100, is rechargeable, has reactive brightness, has always worked, and is 8 or 10 years old. It’s always pointed where I’m looking and I mostly forget I’m wearing it. I use it to work on old vehicles now, but purchased it to install thousands of GPS units in fleet vehicles.
This Milwaukee device is silly, and I can’t see a need for this in any situation.
Jon in Chicago
Well now I know what “cool” thing the HR department is going to buy and raffle off at the Christmas party this year for our mechanics. They always seem to find the most useless things they think we will want.
GinoG
IMO, this item is way overpriced. The only thing it has going for it is the USB-C charging standard that most brands are adopting or forced to adopt. Let’s face it, the standard has been around since 2014, The 400 lumens should be minimum for descent functionality and professional use. Milwaukee should have a more competent group for market price studies. Now I don’t mind spending $100 or even more on an item that would have many unique innovative features. Higher Lumen rating with carbon fiber casing or option to have two batteries. Anything that can justify the price. Milwaukee is literaly insulting my intelligence by trying to charge me $100 for this. Even Snap-on’s was $70, Matco’s $65 and Harbor Freight’s $30.
King+duck
I’m sure there is someone that thinks it will work for them but I bet 60% of sales will be from family/friends who think this was a good idea
nigeldh
1. When you work around folks with LED headlamps you will be blinded when they look at you. So one either pulls the headlamp around their neck, or uses one of these neck lights.
2. Lowes has LED neck lamps for $ 21.98 – uses an AA battery on each side. $ 42.48 for the version with USB rechargeable batteries. 18650 Battery Store has a 4 pack of rechargeable AA batteries for $ 12.99. Plus one gets a 4 headed USB charging cable. Which is great for charging multiple USB micro port devices from a single port.
http://www.18650batterystore.com/products/epoch-aa-usb-4pack
A big selling point for these Milwaukee neck lamps is they use the Milwaukee rechargeable battery – Red Lithium. So a job site has one set of batteries. Just like companies will pay a premium for Hilti tools – they get one stop shopping for “Power Tools, Fasteners and Software for Construction.”
3. As for chest lamps – attach the headlamp to a GoPro chest harness.
hepdog
I wonder how one of these is less blinding than a headlamp, are they less powerful? If a tech is wearing one of these set to ‘high’, does it not also blind you if you are standing in front of him/her speaking to him/her?
Nathan
you guys say chest lamps and all I keep seeing is an iron man costume.
I sort of see the point on blinding people with a headlamp but it doesn’t seem to happen out in the hangar. also something around your neck in the summer is just more sweat pooling and issues.
People put headlamps on their bump caps etc. Or one guy I know loves lighted glasses – I don’t know what brand but just as described. glasses that have lights on the ends.
either way interesting idea – I liked their rover light. why they don’t just make like a headband/arm band strip to attach a rover too.
Bill Strobel
As I was reading about the light I said to myself “looks like a good idea, think I’ll pick one up”. Then I got to the price $99.97 sorry Milwaukee no way.
Mxx
I’ve been using Foxelli MX 10 head lamp for years. Pretty good all around light and they have other models with greater lumens. The hinge holds up to use, and battery holds up too many recharges.
Mxx
Can’t beat the price, around $15.
Red Bama
Milwaukee Red Lithium neck light… why not just shorten the name to Red Neck? 🙂
Blocky
I have skin problems about the face and headbands are the worst if I’m not constantly managing their cleanliness. This looks perfect for me, doing precision work at a bench.
Price is double what I might consider from
Milwaukee.
Bob
I applaud the effort but I just don’t think it’s that useful and certainly not for $100. I might try it out in person if I see one in HD or Lowes.
I really don’t understand the red lithium concept. 18650 has been a “standard”
battery for high performance lights for a looong time. Costs and barrier to entry are at an all time low. Several 18650 and I would assume 2170 manufactures offer a USB charging port built directly into the battery. So why go with a proprietary battery? Or at least offer a usb charging port in the red lithium battery. I can see the argument for large search lights, stationary/tripod lights using your common drill battery vs 6 or more 18650’s. But for the small head lamps and pocketable lights 18650 makes more sense too me.
Chris
A 100 dollars, are they out of their mind? Jesus Milwaukee is getting crazy with their pricing. You can get the snap on one for less on the truck🤣