More LED bulb options

[signal15]

What are guys using for recessed lighting these days?  I am redoing my basement and want to go 4" recessed.  But would rather go LED. 
 
I see some retrofit kits at Lowes, and maybe 1 (expensive) option.  Haven't checked in person at HD just yet.

 
The Commercial Electric T41 from Home Depot is an AWESOME 4" retrofit.  It's just like the T61's I raved about above, but smaller.
 
On a similar note, the T61 dims to 1%.  I've set some of the lights in my house to go to 1% when I go to bed, and got rid of the gaudy nightlights plugged into outlets.  The only thing is, you can't go from 0% to 1% or they won't turn on.  I set them to go from 0% -> 30% -> 1% at night.  These bulbs are great.

 

[NickTheGreat]

The Commercial Electric T41 from Home Depot is an AWESOME 4" retrofit.  It's just like the T61's I raved about above, but smaller.
 
On a similar note, the T61 dims to 1%.  I've set some of the lights in my house to go to 1% when I go to bed, and got rid of the gaudy nightlights plugged into outlets.  The only thing is, you can't go from 0% to 1% or they won't turn on.  I set them to go from 0% -> 30% -> 1% at night.  These bulbs are great.

I'm sorry, I should have said that I'm not looking for retrofits.  These are new lights in an existing drywall ceiling.  I did see some retrofits at stores but not a lot of whole light assemblies. 

 

[tmbrown97]

The whole system is somewhat modular - you'd install the can then you could either trim it out with a traditional trim ring or get the all in one piece; you can also wire them with the 2-pin base if you have something like CA's Title 24 requiring energy efficient bulbs or the regular; and I'd assume you can direct wire some of the LED modules...

 

[signal15]

I'm sorry, I should have said that I'm not looking for retrofits.  These are new lights in an existing drywall ceiling.  I did see some retrofits at stores but not a lot of whole light assemblies. 

 
There's nothing really different about the retrofits vs. a can that's designed for LED's, except you'll pay a whole lot less for the retrofits.  Juno has some LED specific products that are available, but they are at least twice as much as putting in a $6 can and a $39 T41.  Plus, that T41 will be replaceable easily down the line.  Go buy one and test it out.  Return it if you don't like it.  The only drawback I've found with them is that there are no options for the spread on the reflector, and if you want to dim to 1% for nightlights, you can't turn them on to 1% directly.  I go to 30% and then drop it to 1%.  They are the only LED's I've found that will stay lit that low, and I'm even using dimmers that are nearly 20 years old.

 

[NickTheGreat]

Thanks guys.  I guess I thought by looking at pictures that those were meant to go into an existing can, which I don't have hear.
 
I appreciate the explanation

 

[kwilcox]

Well, this is pretty much the last nail in the coffin for incandescent/cfl technology. I'm talking 60 Watt equivalent 2700K, 7 Watt LED candelabra bulbs of course. I'm sick of replacing these every few months or so. I'll take the 10x energy savings too....

I found them at Wholesale LED. Four are arriving on Monday.

 

[BLH]

Starting 01/01/2014 The light Bulb Ban adds 40 and 60 watt Incandescent Bulbs. Here in the USA.
So LED bulbs should be getting more popular and less expensive.
I bought a few of the Switch Lighting Infinia 40 and 60 watt equivalent bulbs to test out.
The Infinia line is not the very expensive original style Switch Light Bulbs that are still in the $35-$50 range.
More like in the $12-$15 range.

 

[kwilcox]

I've been using the Philips AmbientLED A19 60W replacements. A 4 Pack is $57 at HD. With a CRI of 80 they're not bad for general purpose use. I was interested in trying out their newer L-Prize winning bulb that has a CRI of 93 but it appears that they may have discontinued it...

 

[signal15]

I've been using the Philips AmbientLED A19 60W replacements. A 4 Pack is $57 at HD. With a CRI of 80 they're not bad for general purpose use. I was interested in trying out their newer L-Prize winning bulb that has a CRI of 93 but it appears that they may have discontinued it...

 
Why don't you buy the Cree 60W equiv bulbs instead?  They are cheaper, and have a CRI of 93.  Plus, if you put them next to an incandescent bulb, you can't tell the difference.  They look the same.

 

[gatchel]

Why don't you buy the Cree 60W equiv bulbs instead?  They are cheaper, and have a CRI of 93.  Plus, if you put them next to an incandescent bulb, you can't tell the difference.  They look the same.

 
With the few Cree 60 watt bulbs I tested, there were half (2) that were a noticeably different color temperature. I hear that they have updated then design but I haven't tried them again.

 

[kwilcox]

My candelabra bulbs arrived yesterday. Very nice but about 25-30% larger than a 60W incandescent. They dim to about 10%. Very nice 2700K temp and equivalent light output.

 

[ano]

My LIFX bulbs have arrived and they are pretty cool.  Very bright white when you want it (1000 lumens) and any color under the rainbow.  Each bulb can connect to Wi-Fi and acts as a hub for the other bulbs. The other bulbs are connected to the main bulb using ZigBee mesh networking. They claim 80+ have been tested as a group and they work fine.  No separate hub required (like the Philips Hue) and much brighter. There are apps for iPhone and Android currently.

 

[RAM]

Anyone know of any LED bulbs (60-100 watt equivalent) that are rated to use in an enclosed outdoor fixture. With the sub-zero temps lately the CFL's I'm using look more like night lght bulbs than 75 watt equivalent bulbs.

 

[kwilcox]

So I have 2 Cree TW series A19 bulbs coming in. They aren't available @ HD here in WI yet so I ordered them on eBay. I can't wait to see if the reality matches all the hype...

 

[dgage]

I just bought 6 of the Phillips 12w 5000K Dimmable A19 bulbs from Home Dept for $16 each. Nice bright color and quick on. No buzzing when dimming like some of the Cree bulb reviews I read.