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LED lights: In Search of Less Scary Blue, Awful Lights.

June 28, 2007 By: Anna10 Comments

I was in Costco the other day and saw a package of “Wireless LED under Cabinet Lights.”  The package contained 2 strip lights with each strip containing 6 LEDs. 

The lights are dimmable, and the light head pivots for a directional light.  LED lights are our future and this wireless light seemed like the answer to my under the cabinet lack of light.  I sew in this room and have a standing fluorescent lamp by the sewing machine.  I found as I have gotten older, in addition to needing glasses, I can’t see without a lot of light.

My Other Encounter with LEDs

This was not my first encounter with LEDs.  I bought a solar powered LED light from Gardener’s Supply for my garden. It contained 16 LED bulbs.   I hated it.  It gave off a bluish ghost like cast that I now refer to as “blue scary” light.

Since LEDs have continued to advance and the package of these under cabinet lights said they contained super bright white LEDs, I thought they were worth a try.

The Verdict?

These lights give off that same ghost like blue light as the Gardener’s Supply outdoor light.  In addition, as I suspected, it provides very little light.  The 2 lights together seemed like a light blue flashlight.

led lights 001

Here is a picture of one of the strips. I took the picture without my flash so you could see the color.  

So, be careful when you buy cheap LED lights and make sure you can return them. These are going back to Costco.

If anyone has found LED lights they like, please share.

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About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

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Comments

  1. 1

    Ace Lamps says

    July 28, 2008 at 6:24 am

    This seems like a common problem with cheap LED lights. the rule of thumb is, like most things in life, you get what you pay for. the LED bulbs that produce a light much like your current bulbs will cost a lot more as the technology is relatively new, but the prices will naturally come down with time

    Reply
  2. 2

    Al Toman says

    May 5, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    I started a venture to both educate the public and to create LED lighting (mostly solar powered LED light systems) because of the very same experiences that you describe. I hope to publish my website sometime this year (2009). I tout that you will not find our LED light systems in your favorite big box store. This is because LED lighting needs to be designed for the specific tasks for which they are needed. LED are point source light engines. You cannot unscrew an incandescent light bulb and screw in a LED light bulb and expect equivalent results. That concept is a false one because LED are diodes, screw-in bulbs are not. You’ll find a ton of false concepts for sale everywhere, marketing on the ignorance of the general public. It really is damaging for those who properly apply and market LED lighting.

    Before LED can be used effectively and efficiently, 1) the general public needs to be educated and 2) these false marketers needed to be called out.

    I too am getting older and find that proper lighting is becoming more and more essential. That being said, my entire office is illuminated by only 15 watts and I can actually see the “small print”. I absolutely hate the light cast by those center-ceiling fixtures. Using LED, I can “point” the light where I need it the most. I have weened myself off what I’ve habitually trained my eyes to accept as “normal”. Now, LED light is the norm. Though, natural light is still the best :o)

    BTW, LED now comes in “warm white” which eliminates that harsh bluish-white light. These LED simulate the color of incandescent lighting (LED can be any one of some 2,000,000 colors plus).

    If you’re looking to go green by using LED lighting, I suggest that you do NOT go to your favorite big box or anyone who appears to be a marketer. Rather, seek out a scientist or engineer who uses applied mathematics and has experience in LED lighting. Hopefully, we’ll be able to provide LED lighting sometime later this year.

    Reply
    • 3

      Green Talk says

      May 5, 2009 at 11:06 pm

      Al, wonder comment. I am actually at Lightfair 2009 were LEDs are the rage. There are several companies actually producing great screw in lights. Some are not scheduled to come out until later this year and who knows price point (surely not costco prices…) Anna

      Reply
  3. 4

    Patty says

    February 21, 2010 at 10:01 am

    I experienced the same problems in my sewing room and kitchen. I’ve tried fluorescent and halogen, which did not work at all. I could not match fabric (light was yellow) and halogen produced too much heat and used too much electric. Started looking on the web & found replaceable, white LED lights that are great!!! To get the light where I wanted it I started designing a special light to surround my sewing machine. The end result is I created a light that hugs my sewing machine in white light. Two weeks ago we installed the lights under the kitchen cabinets & it is wonderful. If you want to know more please e-mail me at sewinglight@sbcglobal.net.

    Reply
    • 5

      Green Talk says

      February 21, 2010 at 6:00 pm

      Patty, Wow! Can you send me some pictures? Anna

      Reply
  4. 6

    Chandeliers says

    September 3, 2010 at 2:33 am

    Oh yes those bright white or blue led lights are so annoying. They are everywhere throughout South East Asia. To think that it now takes six lights at a minimum for an average room is frustrating when I am sure Edison light globe, you know the single one in the middle of each room was far more efficient over time.

    Reply
  5. 7

    msd 250 says

    November 12, 2010 at 4:17 am

    I completely agree that LED lights are our future. They are efficient and easy-to-use. That’s why more and more people prefer buying them.

    Reply
  6. 8

    Patty says

    November 13, 2010 at 12:20 pm

    You are correct cheap LEDs do not enhance your lighting. Also, 16 LEDs are not much. For your sewing area check out our See and Sew LED Light! There are two removable LED puck lights and each light contains 60 LEDs. When working with LED lights the positioning is also important. Our sewing light has 1 LED puck light to the left of the needle and one LED puck light placed at the back of the needle. This position lights up your entire sewing area with 120 LEDs. Our LEDs provide white light so matching fabric is easy. Check out the Green Talk video & YouTube video, I think you’ll find these LEDs are the answer.

    Patty

    Reply
  7. 9

    Henry Fenton says

    June 14, 2011 at 5:42 am

    My favourite element in LEDs is that they are able to withstand dimmers. Not everyone has a separate dining area and for those who dine in the kitchen you’d know that dimmers work wonders in switching from food preparation to dining mode. Also, LEDs are really bright and many make the mistake of installing too many. Remember if you are planning to have other accent lighting as well try to reduce the number of recessed LEDs in your ceilings.

    Reply
    • 10

      Patty says

      June 14, 2011 at 11:28 am

      I agree with you LED lights are great and having a dimmer is great. Just remember to have a diffuser on your LEDs, the diffuser eliminates the shadows you have without a diffuser. Also, LEDs can bother your eyes because of the shadows. We have placed LED lights under our kitchen cabinets and it is amazing the difference they make when preparing food.

      Reply

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