Cheap Fluorescent Fixtures Compared

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

From bottom to top:

Utilitech #1: $12 http://www.lowes.com/pd_420865-43921-MXL-101_0__?productId=4013481

Utilitech #2: $18 http://www.lowes.com/pd_420867-43921-MXL-103_0__?productId=4013485

Lithonia #1: $20 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-All-Season-Shop-Light-4-ft-2-Light-Grey-T8-Strip-Fluorescent-1242ZG-RE/202052422#

Lithonia #2: $13 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-2-Light-White-T8-Fluorescent-Residential-Shop-Light-1233-RE/202994372#

LOA: $11 http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lights-of-America-8045E-Lights-of-America-4-Solid-State-Shop-Light-White/19759624

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Utilitech #1:

Utilitech #2:

Lithonia #1:

Utilitech #2:

LOA (Lights of America):

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Did you come to any conclusions?

 

[madosta]

This is awesome. I have those gray ones and like them.

More details! Let us know what you think.

I'd like to find some two bulb surface mount T8s with the same sort of review!

 

[Kevin C]

Info I found on the Keystone Ballast:

Keystone KTEB-232RIS-1-TP-SL F32T8 Lamps:
Ballast Factor = .87
Power Factor: .6
lumens per watt: 65
Rated Life: 50,000 hour
Noise Rating: Class A
Meets FCC Consumer Requirements: Yes

Seems like a high quality part.

 

[DeadSock]

all I can think of is "lotsa assembly still required"

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

IIRC it takes about 10-20 minutes for the first one and about half that time on the rest.

 

[DeadSock]

IIRC it takes about 10-20 minutes for the first one and about half that time on the rest.

I was referring to the "samples" having mis-aligned sockets, wiring haphazardly placed, etc

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Did you come to any conclusions?

The worst build quality was Utilitech #1.

Utilitech #2 really isn't that bad. It has a nice, wide reflector and the reflector feels stable due to the end caps. However, it will likely need the ballast replaced with a better quality unit which will bring the total price up to $28. That puts it well over the cost of Lithonia #1 which may already have a decent ballast.

Lithonia #1 felt the most solid. The rolled reflector edges really helped with that. Part fitup was a little on the "meh" side. I would really rather the reflector was bright white. I guess a can of gloss paint would fix that. This unit also had the highest quality cord.

Lithonia #2 is ok, but nothing special. For $13, it blows the $12 Utilitech #1 out of the water.

The LOA (Lights of America) unit is a mixed bag. It has a nice wide reflector. However, swapping out the ballast might be a pain.

I would rank them:

1. Lithonia #1.
2. Utilitech #2.
3. Lithonia #1.
4. LOA
5. Utilitech #1.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

So your 2 Utilitech were the only direct wire light, Correct?

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

So your 2 Utilitech were the only direct wire light, Correct?

None of them are direct wire.

 

[WECSOG]

Thank you. Nice comparison!!