Customer Reviews

Panasonic GEN IV Compact Fluorescent (Pear Shape) - PARENT

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Instant on, no warm up time for the light. Does not flicker. Does not generate heat. Looks like a regular light bulb. Uses 75% less energy then standard bulbs. Last 10X longer then regular lights. You can get them in warm yellow light or white light. What more could you want???? These kick ass! I use them everywhere in my house that has a light socket, even in the garage door opener. I have cut my electric bill in half!!!! Will buy more in the future, but not for 5-10 years cause these last forever!

Executive summary: don't expect the claimed 10,000 hours lifespan, al least if you live in a warm southern climate like mine. Investment return is questionable...your results may vary, and savings, if any, of course depends on the cost of your power.

When new these are generally very nice bulbs that have a pleasing color temperature and color spectrum closely similar to incandescents. I've run about 30 of them for a year, and have found they get gradually dimmer--in about 40% of cases too dim to continue to operate--after just one year (3000 hrs.; about 8 hrs. per day). The color shifts to pinkish in most cases.

Also do not use these in fixtures that hug the white (electronics) portion of the bulb too snugly, or fixtures like glass globes that prevent all air flow and thus, cooling. The bulb's own operating heat kills its electronics in a couple months in that sort of fixture.

This light bulb delivers what it says it will, which is soft light while using less energy. The interesting thing about this light is that it brightens slowly as opposed to instant bright like a regular light bulb. It takes about 5-10 seconds for the light to reach full brightness. I'm assuming this powerup process will also extend the life of the bulb but that remains to be seen. Very satisfied with this bulb.

These pear shaped bulbs are quite large in diameter. This is a problem in many of the lamps in my house, since the wire frame that holds the lamp is made to fit a standard bulb. Also the "Cool White" bulbs have a very fluorescent look to them - perhaps the "warm light" bulbs look better. I have used the GE helical fluorescent bulb and really like the light and the performance they offer but thought I might try a different bulb. The GE helical bulb has no flicker and similar delay to this bulb. I prefer the helical florescent over this bulb.

Mine lasted about a year or so. Five year warranty - just send in the UPC code & orginal receipt along with the bulb. Yeah, right. So how do we cost-effectively dispose of these mercury-laden bulbs that last about a year? Kermit was right - it ain't easy being green.

This is the real deal. Good lighting and energy efficient.
I have used 6 of them for over 2 years and not one bad one.
Much better record than other compact flourescent lamps I have used.