Woods Powr-Grip has been making tools for lifting and maneuvering difficult to grip pieces such as glass, stone, metal, etc. for almost 50 years. Their gripping tools can be found working away on automotive assembly lines, installing glass panels on new skyscrapers, and even in the car repair shop pulling dents from body panels. If you’ve got a tough surface to work with, they’ve got a tool that can get the job done. Woods has also found another use for their super gripping tools however; they work excellent for holding video cameras or accessory lights on vehicles.
Accessory Light Kit
Recently I had the opportunity to test one of Woods Powr-Grip’s Portable Light systems, and all I can say is, “HOLY LIGHT!!” This light came nicely packaged, along with clear instructions, a charger, and a nifty storage bag. The light head is constructed out of high quality, finely machined aluminum, which also acts as a heat sink, drawing heat away from the high power LED lights. At the base of the aluminum light housing there is a ball type pivot which can be adjusted to direct the light in any direction. Inside the machined aluminum housing, there are four light emitting diodes (LEDs) that create a piercing white beam. The light has 3 settings:
High: 1500 lumens
Low: 780 lumens
Flash: 1500 lumens
Powering the LED lights is a small, rechargeable battery pack consisting of several lithium ion batteries, which are sealed in a pack that is designed to be strapped on your belt, or in a backpack. To accommodate the location of the battery pack on your body, there is a power cord extension so free movement can be achieved. Mounted on the bottom of the light is a powerful suction cup that can be mounted to any smooth or even slightly curved (ATV helmet) surface. This vacuum style suction cup creates a great deal of grip, and you can bet that it is not going to come off until you release the suction. I was so confident with the power of this suction cup that after securing it to my helmet, I actually left it on my helmet and used the light to supplement my ATV headlights during night riding. Since there is a pivot with a locking bolt, you can position the light at any angle or any position that suits your needs.
The secret to the Woods Powr-Grip is the vacuum mounting cups. The suction-creating vacuum mounting cups are easy to position on any smooth, non-porous surface such as body panels, helmets, etc… Once you have them where you want them, pump the thumb button a couple times and they’re stuck down like you screwed them together! Just in case there is some dirt on the surface or you’ve got a slow leak, the Powr-Grip has a built in safety feature.
Every Powr-Grip mounting cup has a red-line vacuum indicator on the thumb button. When a WPG vacuum cup is fully evacuated and ready for use, the plunger stays in and the line is not visible. Should the red line begin to reappear, you’ll know you have a slow leak, but a check valve allows you to repump the Powr-Grip vacuum cup without loss of remaining vacuum. When you want to remove the light or camera, a firm push or pull on the release tab at the edge of the rubber vacuum pad releases all types of WPG mounting cups except the N6000NBP, which employs a finger-operated release valve.
Light the Night
At the back of the aluminum LED light head is a button that switches the lights between the High, Low, and Flashing settings and I clicked the button to see what the lights could do. A split second later, the night was pierced by a white beam that looked like we either had the second coming of the Almighty, or a full-fledged alien abduction going on. HOLY BRIGHT LIGHTS! Clicking the button again toggled through the Low and Flashing settings, but I’m sure that on the High setting, this light would easily be seen from over a mile away. The power button conveniently changes color to display the amount of battery power left in the battery pack and Woods claims 4 hours of illumination from a full charge; which is about 5-1/2 hours from the provided wall charger. During my test, I initially charged the battery pack until the indicator light showed that the pack was fully charged. I also used the light quite frequently for working on equipment, lighting an entire room when the power was out, and for night rides with it mounted on my helmet. Should you need any trail repairs, you’ll really be happy to have one. This light definitely gets two thumbs up for durability, versatility, and longevity. It would make a great addition to your normal riding gear or be incredibly handy in any emergency kit.
A Kit for All
Woods has put together many different kits with options on lights, mounting bases that include either the Powr-Grip vacuum cup system or a magnetic base, light stands, and some kits even include an incredibly tough, sealed carrying case which is perfect for first response teams. Tucked beneath your truck seat, this kit would be a great tool to have for any roadside emergency. As an accessory light kit for night rides, the Woods Powr-Grip light system is excellent. It puts light exactly where you need it, and we’ve even used the base to mount a video camera as well. We like it!
www.powrgrip.com ph: 406-628-8231
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