NEBO Omni 2K Work Light

Having spent my life sailing and working on boats, I know how important it is to have reliable gear—especially lighting. So, when my dad raved about the Omni 2K Work Light from NEBO, I had to try it for myself.

This past weekend, I dove into some projects on my newly acquired 1959 Gulfstream 30. Its Beta 20 marine diesel engine has been idle for 15 years, so we pulled the starter and alternator for cleaning. Working in tight spaces with low light is always tough, and it seemed like a good test for the Omni 2K.

Photographs by the author

The handles of the NEBO light rotate to provide a stable stand on uneven surfaces. The two lamps can swing through 360° and, because they act independently from one another, can be set up to shine in different directions.

The Omni 2K is cordless and features two lamps that can be angled independently, allowing you to direct the light with precision. Like most work lights, it can be used hands free: its handles, which are magnetized on their long end and have non-slip rubber-coated corners, can be used to hang the 8-oz light, or can be hinged open to create a stable stand. The light can be opened flat, folded in half, or set anywhere in between. Its compact design makes it easy to store; it measures 4 3⁄4″ × 6 1⁄4″ × 1 7⁄8″ when folded and  8 3⁄8″ × 6 1⁄4″ × 1 7⁄16″ when opened flat.

All of the Omni 2K’s corners are protected by non-slip rubber coatings. When folded away for storage, the lamps are protected while the power bank, charging port, and power/charge status lights—located on the back of one of the two lamps—are all still accessible.

Each of the Omni 2K lamps has three settings—high, low, and red LED. At the high setting, with both lamps on (2,000 lumens), the beam distance is 230′ and the light can run continuously for 1.3 hours; switching off one lamp reduces the lumens to 1,100 and the distance to 164′ but increases the run time to 2 hours. On the low setting, both lamps combine to give 250 lumens and 5.5 hours run time, while a single lamp gives 150 lumens and 9 hours run time. When adjusting the lighting, the lamp cycles through the various white-light settings, but when powering up, it will switch directly to the last setting used. The red-light mode can be switched on without cycling through the white lights in order to preserve night vision. The red light has two settings: constant, which can run for 11 hours; and flashing, which can run for 20 hours.

The Omni 2K comes with a USB-C charging cable and can be fully recharged in about 2 hours with a 2-amp charging block. The light can also serve as a portable power bank with which to charge other devices.

Being able to hold the NEBO Omni 2K and direct the light in more than one direction at a time makes it the ideal tool for illuminating awkward and tight spaces such as a boat’s engine compartment.

The light is water- and impact-resistant—it has an IPX 4 rating and a 1m drop rating—and its minimum expected lifetime is 50,000 hours; it comes with a one-year warranty.

The NEBO Omni 2K would be a great addition to anyone’s toolkit. Its combination of brightness, durability, and battery life coupled with the easy hands-free operation makes it ideal for the boat, the workshop, and anywhere in between.

Jasmine Thomas, WoodenBoat Publications’ editorial assistant, grew up on boats and in her dad’s workshop on the coast of Maine. She has worked in the Maine Windjammer Association fleet as mate on MARY DAY and ANGELIQUE and has both her 100-ton Near Coastal USCG license and STCW certification. She is renovating a 1959 Gulfstream 30 on which she’ll be offering picnic charters and sharing the magic of sailing the Maine coast this summer.

The Nebo Omni 2K Work Light, priced $54.99, is available at many big-box stores, online, and directly from Nebo.

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