Picked up a Par20 LED light today
 

For a while I've been looking for dimmable Par 20 lights that are more efficient than the 50W halogen lights I've been using. Tonight I had to run by the home improvement store and found a dimmable LED by Sylvania that claimed to be a 50W replacement. Now, the box only says it puts out 350 lumens, but I have to say it is a good replacement. I think it is a narrower beam, but I don't need a wide angle for my application anyways. I put it above my range where we do most of the cooking. Its not incredibly efficient at 8W, but its a heck of a lot better than a halogen light. Also, the price was pretty high @ $26. But, if it lasts as long as it is supposed to (50k hrs), I'll be quite happy with the purchase.

Sylvania link: http://www.sylvania.com/BusinessProd...20DIMMABLE.htm

The light (package):
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1299204708


Here it is on, its still a little light out outside as you can see. More than enough light to work, especially when combined with the under cabinet lighting.
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1299204693

Daox,

Did you take a before picture to compare the light quality and quantity from the halogen?

Did you plug the new LED light into a Kill-A-Watt to check its actual draw?

Thanks,
Tim

I have not done that. However, I will with a floor lamp and a situation that better shows the distribution of light so we can see exactly how they differ.

Some additional info. The package says a 50W halogen Par20 light puts out 550 lumens, and this led light puts out 350.

Here we go, a proper comparison. :)

Here is the halogen and LED lights next to each other.
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1299334260


Here is my test stand.
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1299334248


Here is the halogen. It seems to be brighter (light output wise) in the center, but as you can see, it quickly fades as the diameter grows.
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1299334248



Here is the LED. It is hard to tell from the pictures, but it isn't quite as bright as the halogen is in the center. But, it does put out more light at a larger diameter and its very even until it hits a certain diameter then it just stops. I much prefer this in a light now looking at this comparison. Also, again the picture doesn't show it, but the light color is more white from the LED where as its more yellow from the halogen.
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1299334248



And, here is a chopped shot that shows both lights on the same picture. The left is the halogen and right is LED. Again the color is actually reversed (must be my camera), the halogen is actually more yellow and LED is more white. Once you put them side by side there doesn't appear to be a huge difference...
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1299334999




As for the energy consumption, the halogen used 53W (rated at 50W), and the LED used 9W (rated @ 8W).

Anyway, I think if I have any of the halogen lights burn out I'd replace them with these LEDs. But, right now I have 7 more fixtures for them to go in, and I'm not about to go pay $182 for new lights. I also really hope they last the 50k hrs they're rated for. So, I'm happy with the purchase despite the high price. I would like to see the power consumption reduced though, 43 lumens per watt is not very impressive.

nice comparison. Still too pricey to warrant switching in my mind though.

Thanks for the comparison.
In the pictures, the LED looks like it's the same, or maybe barely brighter.
But both are bright enough to show how much dust is on the lamp stand, and the pawprint in the dust:p

Thanks Tim -- if anything the LED looks like a warmer/redder color temperature? Which is different than LED were...

Its not actually warmer. That is just how the camera must have taken the picture. The LED is actually a little (not a ton) whiter than the halogen. The box says its supposed to be a 3000k color.

$26 is a pretty good price for a bulb that will last the rest of your life, half the price of what a bulb like that was selling for a year or so ago.
Where did you get it, or did you order it online?

Yes, 3000K is slightly cooler/bluer than incandescent, but still close to the warm white range. Which is good.

I bought a few LED bulbs last year, and they were a bit more money than yours, but so far so good -- they are good bulbs. Though, some are not dimmable; oddly.