Makita has come out with a couple of new cordless LED lighting products, one of which has already started shipping, and the other two are available for preorder. There’s a new 12V Max flashlight/lantern combo, an 18V flashlight/lantern combo, and an 18V cordless/corded flood pattern worklight.
I’m going to talk about the 12V-class model first, because of its elegant design and compact size. Although I believe there are more users interested in 18V-class LED lighting products than 12V-class ones, there’s always something especially appealing about worklights that can be stored or carried nearly anywhere.
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Makita ML102 12V Max LED Flashlight Lantern
The new ML102 can be used as a flashlight, with directional illumination, or as a lantern that provides a more spread out lighting pattern. You can switch from one mode to the other using a selector knob.
It took me a moment to realize how Makita engineered the ML102’s selector knob. At first I considered that the knob switched between two sets of LEDs, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. In the flashlight mode, the LED array is aiming out the front of the tool. In lantern mode, the LED array is rotated around and then aimes into the tool, towards a conical reflector.
That’s pretty neat, and probably makes the 7-1/8″ Makita ML102 LED worklight fairly compact. It weighs just less than a pounm and that’s with an attached battery.
It’s got a hanging hook at the top, which can also serve as a carrying handle, and a smaller hanging hook on the bottom.
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You might also be pleased to know that the ML102 flashlight lantern is dust and “drip-proof,” with an IP54 rating. That’s a pretty decent level of waterproofness.
Light output is about 100 lumens, and runtime is 8 hours when paired with a 12V Max 1.3Ah Li-ion battery pack.
Price: $47 $35 via Amazon, battery and charger are NOT included.
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Makita DML806 18V LED Flashlight Lantern
The 18V DML806 is designed a little differently than Makita’s 12V-class model, but is perhaps more functional. It features 3 lighting modes – 360° lantern, 180° lantern, and flashlight mode.
- Mode 1: 360°, 620 lumens, 20 LEDs arranged in 5 LED strips along 4 sides
- Mode 2: 180°, 310 lumens, 10 LEDs arranged in 5 LED strips along 2 sides
- Mode 3: Flashlight, 90 lumens, with a single 1W LED
Runtime is up to 21 hours in 180° lantern mode when paired with a 5Ah battery pack, or 51 hours when in flashlight mode. There is of course the obligatory metal hook for hands-free illumination.
Price: $73 on Amazon, battery and charger are NOT included
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Makita 18V Cordless and Corded DML805 Flood Light
Here’s the big guy, a powerful new flood light that can be powered by a Makita 18V Li-ion battery pack or the built-in power cord. Additional features include a pivoting head, so that you can aim the light exactly where you need it – with full 360° vertical rotation! – and a standard 1/4″-20 tripod mount.
Makita offers a couple of different accessories, with might not be available in the USA, such as a tripod mount that can support up to 2 of these lights, a vise mount that can be used to mount the DML806 to scaffolding, pipes, or other structures, and an anti-glare film.
The DML806 has a 20 LED lighting array that can deliver 750 lumens on high mode, or 550 lumens on low mode. Runtime is around 10.5 hours on low, and 5 hours on high, using a 4.0Ah Li-ion battery pack.
I can’t find any information about how long the AC power cord is. Any guesses? I’m hoping it’s maybe a 10 or 12 foot cord.
Price: $134 at Amazon, battery and charger are NOT included
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First Thoughts
To be completely honest, I am much more excited about the new 12V Max waterproof and dual-mode ML102 than either of the 18V models. Although, I can’t argue about the obvious benefits of the DML806’s longer runtime, or the DML805’s AC/DC power source flexibility.
I can’t say I had ever paid close attention to Makita’s LED lighting products before, at least not as much as with Dewalt, Milwaukee, and Bosch, but these look like great new offerings.
The 18V flashlight lantern looks a little long, and the 18V/AC flood light looks both sturdy and clunky. I wish that Makita designed the larger worklight so that it could be removed from its carrying handle and pivot mount, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Whether you’re a Makita user or not, what do you think of these 3 new LED lighting options?
Nathan
never seen a makita worklight in a store other than the older packaged flashlights with the drills.
glad to see they have something useful – I like the 18v devices more than the 12 personally. That big flood device – I’d wonder how much it would have been for that to be a charger too – even a slow charger. I really think that’s be a useful job site feature.
firefly
That’s a neat idea… if it doesn’t increase the cost too much.
Mike
What’s a ‘Makita 18v 5ah battery’? Is this some sort of riddle? Maybe this has something to do with that Milwaukee mystery product. Yeah, that must be it since I’m almost certain today is not April 1. Of course, telegraph orders and pony delivery are all the rage with the kids. But sometimes I gotta shake a fist when Makita stays off my lawn. Ebay can Amazon my ball bearings.
Stuart
It was about to be released internationally more 18 months ago (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/makita-18v-lxt-5-0ah-battery/%3C/a%3E%29, so I didn’t stop to think about seeing it mentioned in the flashlight’s product description.
John
What do you mean? 5 ah batteries have been available on Amazon for a few months now.
Charlie Stopczynski
I toured the Makita USA Plant in Buford, GA, about 18 months ago. They told us the 18 volt 5 Ah, Lithium battery was about to be released for sale shortly.
I have owned for some years a Makita LXLM03, 18 volt LED work light. It’s rugged, and versatile. 9 hours battery life on HI, and 18 hours on Low. Bright. Paid about $39 on the internet for these 3-4 years ago.
KenZ
Did you see the Tools of the Trade article on new Makita stuff coming out? Batteries with fuel gauges, new 12V tools, a nice rebar cutter, etc.
http://links.hanleywood.mkt6839.com/ctt?kn=15&ms=MjMwNDQ0NTkS1&r=MTAyNzg5ODUzNzc1S0&b=0&j=NjAxMzM2NjU3S0&mt=1&rt=0
Stuart
No. Damnit. Thanks for the link!
I prepped a story on the new platform a month ago, and Makita USA asked me to wait. Said they’d send me more details about the tools in August if I sat on the post for a little. Needless to say, now that the cat’s out of the bag my post will be published in 3… 2… 1…
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/makita-12v-cxt-cordless-drill-impact-driver-kit/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Rascally
The Ryobi 18V 20W LED Hybrid floodlight is half the price, and an excellent product. I use the big 4.0 AH batteries and it will run for hours. Even people that don’t own Ryobi sets are buying them. It doesn’t have a power cord, but you plug your extension cord into it.
Stuart, thanks for a great blog and website! I can’t say there’s many emails I look forward to each day… but Toolguyd, Yes!!!!
Thanks for the heads up on great deals too!
Rascally
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Dual-Power-20-Watt-LED-Work-Light-Tool-Only-P720/205673849
John
Ryobi is fine for home diy use, but that cheap crap can’t compare with professional tools.
Stuart
Plenty of professionals use Ryobi tools, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But for more demanding use, of course s higher tier product will usually be better.
John
I know, but it still doesn’t make them professional tools. I can understand in cases where boss buys the tools and employees abuse them.
KenZ
Not that I’m a pro, but I use both Makita for the high use stuff (drill, recip, etc) and Ryobi for less frequent stuff to save the cash. Then I made a Ryobi-to-Makita battery adapter, so I only have one type of battery (Makita) to run both types of tools.
I think Ryobi really does have a place in a pro’s toolchest, but only for what one would consider ‘auxiliary’ tools.
Bigjon
I’m looking forward to the floodlight. I’ve got 3 of the 18v 12 led lights that I use and abuse. By the way I’ve had 2 – 5.0 amp batteries for a few weeks now, using them daily mostly in the 18×2 circular saw. I got them from my local makita dealer. Home Depot had some 4 amps in the clearance rack yesterday.
abnormalist
I’m pretty unimpressed with the work light. I guess I will keep using my Ryobi ones. They are over twice the output (1700 lumen vs 750) and half the price.
Sure they are built a little light, but just dont kick em down the stairs and they will hold up
aleks
KenZ perfectly stated I do the exact same thing with Ryobi and Makita, I even have the battery adapter like you
Thomas
>Hello KenZ,
i am interested in the adapter from Ryobi to Makita batteries as you use it for the Ryobi worklight. Can you send some pictures to [email protected]
Thank you in advance.