compare HD and Costco LED shop lights

[tomd]

Something doesn't make sense to me. I am referencing the shop lights that other threads discussing.
First the Home Depot ones:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...3001rw&cm_mmc=CJ-_-6147012-_-11210757&cj=true

These were discussed and recently were on sale for $25

Now the Costco FEIT brand:
http://static.slickdealscdn.com/attachment/1/3/7/5/9/8/2776450.attach?d=1404423318


My question:
Home Depot says 3200 lumens and Costco says 3700 lumens...BUT...the HD fixture is only one bulb 36w while the Costco fixture is two bulb total 38w.

Is it better to have the single bulb fixture (HD)?

 

[tomd]

It looks like HD has a similar model as Costco
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Feit-Ele...3001rw&cm_mmc=CJ-_-6147012-_-11210757&cj=true

but it doesn't have the reflectors. $50

 

[e-rockin-it]

I wouldn't say that it's better or worse to have single or multi bulb fixtures just a personal preference. The wattage doesn't directly relate to the light output on these and has more to do with the actual LEDs that the bulb is made of and the diffuser.
The colour temperature (~4000k on for each) will be close to what you get with Cool White type fluorescent bulbs (I personally find that they are a little blue and have changed all my fixtures to have Daylight bulbs in the in the shop).

I'd personally go with more lumens as they're both pretty much the same in every other way.

 

[tomd]

Too bad the Costco ones don't have a reflector to channel the output downward.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Just keep in mind that everyone that's jumping on these fixtures now will be kicking themselves in a year for not waiting. Not that they'll be cheaper (how good a fixture do you really expect for $40-$50), but they'll be more efficient with better light output.

 

[phins2rt]

Just keep in mind that everyone that's jumping on these fixtures now will be kicking themselves in a year for not waiting. Not that they'll be cheaper (how good a fixture do you really expect for $40-$50), but they'll be more efficient with better light output.

But isn't that true for just about anything you buy? We will be saying the same thing in another year.

 

[paranoid56]

But isn't that true for just about anything you buy? We will be saying the same thing in another year.

exactly, so with that mentality, you would never buy anything, as next year will always have something better.

 

[Electric_Light]

Home Depot says 3200 lumens and Costco says 3700 lumens...

This is like choosing between a 200W PMPO Daewoo vs a 225W Symphonic stereo systems that both say excellent sound quality. Although, given these two choices, I would go with the Home Depot one since the Home Depot one is verifiable on Lightingfacts.com.

I can't find the Feit on the list, so that's a big minus 1 for that. In lighting, LED is the technology most prone to early failures and under performance so I wouldn't even consider anything that's not Energy Star, DLC, QPL or Lightingfacts.com verifiable. It would ensure some consistency between shipments as these programs have far stringent than companies left on their discretion to print whatever they want on their spec sheet. Product reviews are only as good as consistency in quality and only for that particular shipment if the brand has a history of changing suppliers sold under the same model number.

Lighting products that use LED technology have the most variation in quality between brands, models and each piece. A listing in one of the above tends to weed out the worst of the crappy products. Products with acceptable quality can be made with this technology, but quality and performance variation

BUT...the HD fixture is only one bulb 36w while the Costco fixture is two bulb total 38w.

Is it better to have the single bulb fixture (HD)?

It's not relevant. LEDs are prone to heat damage and familiar "bulb" design is a compromise made to fit into existing fixture sockets. In your examples, each "bulb" is made of bunch of tiny LED elements on a strip, but decent fixtures lay out the elements around the fixture design for better cooling and light pattern instead of slapping on some end caps on the bulbs and calling it a fixture. Cheap **** are more likely to use fewer elements and drive harder at the expense of increased rate of lumen loss.

 

[Platonic Solid]

But isn't that true for just about anything you buy? We will be saying the same thing in another year.

exactly, so with that mentality, you would never buy anything, as next year will always have something better.

LOL, true, but in this case we have an efficiency level to beat. The only reason to buy either of these fixtures right now is cold starting temperature. Neither option posted is efficient enough to justify the purchase via energy savings. The ”Commercial Electric Co.” fixture = 3200 Lumens at 88Watts = 89L/W for $40. Feit (aka: amazingly cheap **** IMHO) claims (without proof) 3700 Lumens at 38Watts = 97L/W for $50. That’s no better than a fluorescent fixture, only you’re paying more money for less light. Wait till it actually makes sense when compared to a fluorescent fixture or find a better fixture now. I wouldn't buy an LED fixture with output less than 130L/W.

 

[Chevy-SS]

LOL, true, but in this case we have an efficiency level to beat. The only reason to buy either of these fixtures right now is cold starting temperature. Neither option posted is efficient enough to justify the purchase via energy savings. The ”Commercial Electric Co.” fixture = 3200 Lumens at 88Watts = 89L/W for $40. Feit (aka: amazingly cheap **** IMHO) claims (without proof) 3700 Lumens at 38Watts = 97L/W for $50. That’s no better than a fluorescent fixture, only you’re paying more money for less light. Wait till it actually makes sense when compared to a fluorescent fixture or find a better fixture now. I wouldn't buy an LED fixture with output less than 130L/W.

Good post. If you were going to buy shop lights TODAY (like me, hopefully, lol) - what would you buy?

Thanks

 

[Platonic Solid]

Good post. If you were going to buy shop lights TODAY (like me, hopefully, lol) - what would you buy?

Thanks

Is the environment heated?
Is cold start important?
What's your ceiling height?
How long is the light usually ON?
Will you be using a motion sensor?
How many ON/OFF cycles per week?

 

[Chevy-SS]

Is the environment heated? Yes
Is cold start important? Not so much... Temp always above 35*
What's your ceiling height? ~10'
How long is the light usually ON? ~3 hours
Will you be using a motion sensor? NO (already have Liftmaster motion garage lights)
How many ON/OFF cycles per week? ~20

Many thanks, Dave F.

Here's my layout:

OP, apologies for somewhat hijacking post, but I think this info may help you too...

 

[Platonic Solid]

If pickup TODAY is a must, then either of the following fixtures:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...rescent-Strip-Light-C-2-32-120-GESB/100543144
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...MVOLT-1-4-GEBHL/202193181?N=5yc1vZc9h7Z2bcu1b
with this lamp:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-...gclid=CPK3kdWPksMCFbBm7Aodz2YAGw&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Chevy-SS]

If pickup TODAY is a must, then either of the following fixtures:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...rescent-Strip-Light-C-2-32-120-GESB/100543144
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...MVOLT-1-4-GEBHL/202193181?N=5yc1vZc9h7Z2bcu1b
with this lamp:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-...gclid=CPK3kdWPksMCFbBm7Aodz2YAGw&gclsrc=aw.ds

Many thanks for the recommendations. TODAY is not a must, but why not? Plus, I have a HD right around the corner, so your lights should be there in stock.

Thanks again..................

 

[Platonic Solid]

Might as well get those lamps while they're still on sale. It's worth waiting for the lamps if they're not in stock at your location.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Might as well get those lamps while they're still on sale. It's worth waiting for the lamps if they're not in stock at your location.

Didn't realize they're on sale. That's even better!

 

[Showkey]

But isn't that true for just about anything you buy? We will be saying the same thing in another year.

exactly, so with that mentality, you would never buy anything, as next year will always have something better.

Incandescent bulbs to LED if a much easier decision., especially when bulb prices are in free fall. The only real question is quality as the price drops.

T8 to LED not easy for all the reasons everyone is debating. (Quality, lumens per watt and cost)

Waiting allows the dust to settle.

I also will not being standing in line to buy a 4k TV this year.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Might as well get those lamps while they're still on sale. It's worth waiting for the lamps if they're not in stock at your location.

Thanks again. These lights work great. I put up two yesterday, and then two more today....... one at each corner of my 4-post lift. Now I have some light when I take off a wheel!

Here's a quick photo... it's multiple photos "stitched" so it may look a little out of perspective.