Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I am an engineer who has been completely disgusted with the home lighting situation. There are no standards and many misstatements and counterdictions at the stores. I own a Minolta flash meter which accurately measures a lights color temperature. I've tried the bulb technology at Walmart, Sams Club Home Depot and Lowes. The most glaring examples:
1) yellow light is called soft white (2700)
2) very blue light is called daylight 6000-6500)
3) 12W LED lights go for as much as $90!
4) Some bulbs are advertised as white but the chart on the back shows its yellow. Complete incompetence.
Here is not what to avoid: all (harsh washed-out blue) daylight, and (yellow) soft white. While GE Reveal offers somewhat better clarity its still overpriced and quite yellow.
Full spectrum (5000-5500) bulbs are a step-up but stores offer a very limited selection, like one! The Home Depot full 100w spectrum's beats the Lowe's Ott-Lite. The best compromise are the PAR38 indoor 23-27w 3500K reflector lights (which actually measure 4100K), especially for recessed kitchen spot lighting.
On the LED front Sam's Club carries a 520 lumen, 4100K, 9 LED PAR38 reflector which has a easily noticeable smoother light spectrum. Interesting for the one light on in the kitchen in the evening. The equivalent $70 LED lights at the hardware store are hardly a bargain, as the Sam's is $20! However its Color Retention index (CRI)is only 74.
The best of all are lights are these 5500K Alzo's. I've installed a 45w in the kitchen pantry and the color of the food boxes really pop. Food looks like it does in the magazines. The clarity is first rate (however 27w should be sufficient). They are the reference to which others are to be compared. My wife has not complained even when they are on at night-time. This is a first.
Skin tones in the bathroom look very natural. A first again.
Color temperature alone is not the sole basis to buy a bulb as a high CRI is also required. The Alzo's come in at 92, which is very high. Most manufactures do not even list this measurable figure (assume because its too low).
Well gotta go as my wife wants one in her closet now, as shes hates the other fluorescent lights which cause eye-strain. Should I install a 45w and blow her away?
Click Here to see more reviews about: ALZO Digital Full Spectrum Light Bulb - ALZO 45W Photo CFL 5500K 91 CRI, Daylight balanced, pure white light, 2800 Lumens, Case of 4
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