I think the super bright LED’s are going to be the future of lighting. Not sure how far off that is though.
Some big airports are already using them in applications like runway marker lights.
Apparently, they are not bright enough yet to use as a primary light-source - and there are reliability problems. Noone wants to spend an exorbitant amount for a bulb that fails after only one year - right after the warranty expires.
These were the cheapies as well. Lots of ways to tinker and improve them.
Last year I mounted solar powered LED spotlights on my flagpole. They work quite nicely as well. The only improvement I'm making on them is better drainage since they point near straight up.
Inside we've been using several LED desk lamps, switchable from 10 to 20 LEDs. One in the bedroom has been a real marriage saver! I work overnights and leave just before midnight. I had two chouces before the LED lamps...get fressed in the dark or turn on the lights and irritate Wife.
Now we have an LED lamp over our headboard ponted up and agaisnt a white wall. I can turn it on and get plenty of light to get around without waking wife. Plus the soft glow is a lot easier on my eyes that are VERY sensitive to light - one of the reasons I like the night shift, hehehe.
You can now get LED string lights that operate on low voltage. They come in colors - some rotate between colors - as well as white and the older blue/white. Look great on Christmas trees as well as in the garden. Right now they're a little pricey but that is changing big time!
I worked in the lighting industry for 20 years and I was never as excited about any development as much as I have the LED lamp. They save power and hence money...personally because of my sesitive eyes I prefer the softer light...and I like the tech point as well.
There's one guy on the net who lights his stairs with LEDS. At the top and bottom he's mounted IR sensors that trip the LEDs to sequence on top to bottom or bottom to top and then sequence off. Later this summer I plan on a similar install in my house with some mods I want to try.
In fact right now I'm planning lighting several rooms with LEDS powered by a battery source and recharged with solar panels from Northern Tool. I don't expect it to make much difference on the electric bill, that's not the point of the project. It's the tinkering, the having a goal and figuring how to achive it thing that makes the project worthwhile.
This nation used to be filled with folks like that...people who used what they had to come up with creative ways around a problem or need. Now it seems we just sit back and whine and wait for someone else to do it.
prisoner6
There is a lot of feedback on Amazon and other product forums on LED’s. Universally, everyone is disappointed in brightness.
I suspect we are a few years out before they get brighter and cheaper.
They have been working on OLED lighting for over 20 years, al ot of your tax money via the DOE was spent on researching OLED lighting....