http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/I did send an email by using the "Tip Us" link, thanks for the suggestion.]]>Apr 13th 2010 10:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Another TIP for Engadget - Do your maths!

If 9 watt is 10% less than a CFL then that means the CFL Bulb only uses 10watts. At £1 each they cost so much less...]]>Apr 13th 2010 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Hah... it's a nice idea, but we can't even edit our comments here. Imagine Engadget trying to run a forum. (No offense Engadget, I love ye.)]]>Apr 13th 2010 10:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
i would like to be able to edit comments though, this is the only website i visit that doesn't allow it. and theres a bunch of improvements to the site that you can make but i dont feel like listing them all. ]]>Apr 13th 2010 10:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 10:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 11:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 3:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
forums here would just be an extension of 4chan. No thanks.]]>Apr 13th 2010 3:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 4:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 6:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
I'd like to think that, but this may stay expensive if it will last 17 years. Even if manufacturing gets dirt cheap, they will need to take into account how often you are replacing the bulbs.]]>Apr 13th 2010 9:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
That's why what I normally do is wait until new technology comes out, and then I'll purchase the previous model since the prices always go down.]]>Apr 13th 2010 9:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
Is there some hidden "first!" fee? Absolutely. Is it 70%. No.]]>Apr 13th 2010 10:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
How come they didn't compare this bulb to the current twisted style bulb?

cause in my lampshade those twisted bulbs are pretty bright all around...

Seriously... who uses regular shaped bulbs anymore?! ]]>Apr 13th 2010 10:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
ummmm...yes they did, those 'twisted' ones you are referring to are compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFL. ]]>Apr 13th 2010 12:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
You should have clicked on the CFL link up there. Anyway, many people use regular bulbs still believe it or not. The CFL's are not as cheap as old bulbs, so many people don't invest. Yet, that isn't really an issue in this article as they did compare the CFL to this new bulb. ]]>Apr 13th 2010 12:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
I don't think I have spent £30 on light bulbs for one socket in the last 17 years, so this really doesn't seem worth it! ]]>Apr 13th 2010 9:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
What about the money you spent on running those light bulbs over 17 years (much more energy efficient as an led bulb)]]>Apr 13th 2010 9:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 10:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
For some fun reading about the hazards of broken CFLs, read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp#Broken_and_discarded_lamps

Scary stuff. I'm all for a more efficient and less hazardous bulb, despite the cost.]]>Apr 13th 2010 10:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Looks like I'm a law breaker. ]]>Apr 13th 2010 10:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/When CA was trying to ban all non-CFL bulbs, a lawmaker brought a CFL to the podium, and stated that if he dropped the bulb and it shattered, they'd have to evacuate the Senate chamber.

I wish he had done it, just to prove a point.]]>Apr 13th 2010 11:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
I figure the plastic piece is to help you screw it in with taking pressure off the bulb and adds some sort of outer protection. I'd want it if I'm spending $50 for this light-bulb...]]>Apr 13th 2010 9:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Probably heat sinks. Heat kills LEDs.

I'm glad to see they're not claiming the 50,000 hours that most other LEDs tout.

But 17 years? Really? At 4 hours a day, CFLs will last 6-8 years. And cost under $5. Sorry... LED is not exctly going to win the longevity vs price argument. They just get much better PR.]]>Apr 13th 2010 10:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/They significantly prolong the life of the led's.]]>Apr 13th 2010 10:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
" CFLs will last 6-8 years."

Hah... I've had exactly 1 CFL last into that range... and I've easily bought and used 20+. Most have actually died quicker than normal incandescent bulbs.]]>Apr 13th 2010 11:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/I agree.

I have live in my house for 15 years. Two years ago I upgraded all my lighting fixtures. But I didn't have to update (most of) my light bulbs.

All my bathroom incandescent bulbs (40w) were still kicking, except the two I dropped during the fixture change.

In the kitchen and hallway I use 65w 4" spots. By the time of the upgrade I had only replaced 4 of the original 16 builders bulbs. During the upgrade I broke several of the original bulbs as they were stuck in the original fixtures.

I decided to replace the hallway bulbs with fluorescent spots. One died of infant mortality the first week. (I'm to lazy to replace it as its 14ft up!) The rest take at least 5 minute to warm up to full brightness. I'm not impressed.]]>Apr 13th 2010 12:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
I rarely get even a year out of CFLs. The reason is most of my fixtures are base up where the electronics package is continuously being "cooked" by the tube immediately below until its had enough and fails. The other problem with CFLs is warm up. As the lamp ages, it starts out dimmer at turn on and takes longer to come up to full brightness. Often this can be a minute or longer.]]>Apr 13th 2010 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
I have a couple of old CFLs (with the old "flicker-flicker-flicker" at power on magnetic ballast) that are 18 years old and still going. That said, they probably see only an average of 10 minutes use and 2 power cycles per day.

Most of my CFLs outlast even the F40T12 tubes in some of my fixtures, while I have had others that didn't seem to last as long as incandescents.

Definitely a case of YMMV. My advice: If a CFL doesn't seem to last long, try a different brand.]]>Apr 13th 2010 2:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
Exactly, I've had so many CFL's die in less than a year. A couple DOA in the box. The brightness sucks on CFL's as well and with incandescents no longer for sale around here, I'm stuck paying 10x more for crap.

I can't wait for LED's. ]]>Apr 13th 2010 2:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
I buy the energy efficient bulbs, but i do have to agree that regular bulbs do last longer.]]>Apr 13th 2010 9:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 15th 2010 3:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
I use 2x 40 watt fluorescent lights much better than all the energy saving light bulbs i get free through the post, ]]>Apr 13th 2010 10:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
Speak for yourself. I have taken my CFLs with me before.]]>Apr 13th 2010 11:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/Apr 13th 2010 9:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.elv.de/OSRAM-PARATHOM-LED-Birne-Classic-A40,-warmweiss/x.aspx/cid_74/detail_10/detail2_27891/flv_/bereich_/marke_]]>Apr 13th 2010 9:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/This one differs from typical LED bulbs because it directs more light towards the 'socket', best use for that is in a bed side lamp.]]>Apr 13th 2010 11:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/13/ges-led-light-bulbs-look-cool-last-forever-cost-a-lot/
Cool design, plus long lasting.]]>Apr 13th 2010 9:51AM