Exterior lighting upgrade

[Ranchermech]

Looking at upgrading the exterior lighting on shop and in the yard from a HP sodium and metal halide fixtures and have ran into bewildering array of opinions. I'm assuming that LED would be the best choice but how do you compare the actual light output? I know lumens are the measurement but are they actually measured to the same standards?

 

[Ranchermech]

Please move to the proper forum.

 

[Kaizen]

it is hard. very confusing like talking apples and oranges. i can tell you I've had a dual 150 watt halogen light at the peak of my house for ten years. it did well but once a year had to get the ladder out and go up 20 feet and change the bulbs. finally switched to led. bought this monster. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EMTWFFM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
for me the important part is the kelvin or color. this one is like a halogen. so i took out 300 watts and put in 150 watts of led. You can easily read a book 30 feet away from this light. actually had to angle it so it wasn't shining on my neighbors house 100 feet away. one of these at the right height would easily light a basketball court.
Here is a thread where i have 2 pictures to show you the difference. this level of light is almost a 180 degree arc easily going out 30 feet on each side. for the money and warrantee i'll go with these any day. i tried the ones at hd off the shelf and they ****. just not powerful enough.http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329809