3 ms·
Stillborn technology? How about "good enough" technology, and by "good enough", I mean something that's better than incandescent. Everyone has their metric, m
by romwell 6y ago
Stillborn technology?
How about "good enough" technology, and by "good enough", I mean something that's better than incandescent.
Everyone has their metric, mine is how often I need to replace a bulb. I am a lazy person, I don't want to think about things if I can avoid it, see.
In my experience, CFL bulbs were bright enough, and lasted much longer than incandescent ones.
Plus, they are way less of a fire hazard, and I don't have to worry about scorching my hand on a desk lamp.
Environmentally, they are a disaster though.
- aidenn0 6y agoCFL bulbs never lasted as long as halogen for me, and often less long than incandescents, particularly when recessed.
- deelowe 6y agoCFLs have all of their components in the base. They try to use the screw portion of the bulb as a heatsink, but it doesn't really work. If the base can't get decent airflow, they burn out.
- LargoLasskhyfv 6y agoIn my experience the CFLs weren't bright enough, at least not instantly, were more expensive and failed faster. Without exception none made it to 6 months of use. My incandescents lasted several years. Maybe it depends on the quality of the power company and/or the internal cabling? Regarding the environmental disaster, why would you think that, given that the same technology was in use in much larger volumes since the 70ies or even earlier in commercial settings, offices and even homes? Lacking only the compactness, requiring external "ballast" and starters. When I was young we had a large ring, maybe 40 to 50cm diameter under the ceiling in the kitchen, and I disliked it even then for looking "fugly" somehow. Oh, and the ring never lasted more than about half a year also :)